Singapore Tourism Board & PhonePe to boost UPI payments for Indian visitors

By Gloria Mathias

Singapore Tourism Board (STB) and PhonePe enter a two-year strategic partnership to promote UPI payments for Indian visitors in Singapore.

Indian travellers can use the PhonePe app for instant, seamless, and secure payments across 8,000+ merchants in Singapore, enhancing their experience in the island city.

The Singapore Tourism Board (STB) and PhonePe have entered a two-year MoU. This collaboration builds upon the existing Unified Payments Interface (UPI) linkage between India and Singapore, which allows customers to instantly make cross-border transactions between the two countries directly from their existing Indian bank accounts.

As part of the partnership, STB and PhonePe will invest in joint marketing efforts across India and Singapore, to promote the destination’s vibrant offerings and seamless UPI experiences across key tourism hotspots.

This strategic alliance underscores the shared commitment of STB and PhonePe to add value to the overall experience of travellers exploring the vibrant city of Singapore by making it possible for them to use familiar services like UPI payments during their stay.

Melissa Ow, Chief Executive, of the Singapore Tourism Board, said, “We are excited to announce our alliance with PhonePe, a leading Fintech player in India. This partnership exemplifies our dedication to enhancing the Singapore visitor experience for discerning, tech-savvy consumers. By seamlessly integrating Singapore’s exceptional offerings into the digital realm, our goal is to streamline payments across the traveller’s experience and promote curated deals, from attractions and retail to dining and nightlife. This initiative reflects STB’s commitment to innovation and customer-centricity in the travel industry.”

Ritesh Pai, Chief Executive Officer, PhonePe, International Business for PhonePe Private Limited, said, “Singapore is a dynamic destination with unique offerings that are well appreciated and celebrated among Indian travellers. Partnering with STB will facilitate ease of transactions for PhonePe users who now can just pay directly from their existing bank account by scanning a QR code when visiting the island city.”