A Singapore Airlines plane is parked next to Scoots passenger planes on the asphalt terminal of Changi International Airport in Singapore on March 15, 2021.
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Interest in travel between Singapore and Germany skyrocketed after the so-called vaccinated travel lane between the two countries was announced, meaning inoculated travelers can skip quarantine.
The popular online travel booking site Expedia said searches for travel from Singapore to destinations in Germany increased nearly tenfold, compared to the average of the past seven days, on Friday afternoon.
Interest was also high for traveling from Germany to Singapore, according to the site. “While Singapore has never been one of the top ten leisure destinations for German travelers, it was interesting to see that interest in traveling to Singapore from Frankfurt and Munich has increased by 70% in the last 24 hours,” Lavinia Rajaram, head of APAC communications at Expedia, said in a statement Friday.
“With the launch of the vaccinated travel lane scheme, it will surely be a good omen for those who are already vaccinated and eager to travel and will provide a very welcome boost to the travel industry,” Rajaram added.
Singapore’s vacant travel street with Germany was announced on Thursday by the city-state, which also extended the initiative to Brunei.
Applications for quarantine-free travel to Singapore from Germany or Brunei will open from September, but subject to certain conditions. Fully vaccinated people traveling to Singapore will have to take four Covid tests: one two days before departure, one on arrival, one on day three and one on day seven.
Other conditions for traveling to Singapore from Germany or Brunei are:
- Travel on non-stop designated flights by the vaccinated travel lane (VTL);
- Staying in Germany or Brunei for 21 consecutive days before the flight;
- Downloading a contact tracking app in Singapore.
On ticket prices, Expedia’s Rajaram added that airlines offering flights under the plan have announced “competitive prices”.
Still, Rajaram said: “It is too early to conclude whether prices will rise in the coming days, but we can expect demand to grow closer to the holiday season. “
Travel searches from Hong Kong and Macao are also increasing
Singapore had also announced that travelers from Hong Kong and Macao, regardless of vaccination status, can now apply for an air travel pass to enter Singapore.
Nor will they have to quarantine, but will have to take a Covid test when they arrive in Singapore and isolate themselves until they receive a negative test result, Singapore authorities said.
Travel searches from the two Chinese territories to Singapore also increased after the announcement, close to 450%, according to Expedia.
“This is not a surprise to us, as Hong Kong travelers (Hong Kong) have been very eager to make this first leisure trip. Singapore is also a prime destination for Hong Kong travelers in the second half. of the year, “Expedia said.
– CNBC’s Abigail Ng contributed to this report.