Indian travellers can now 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 forged a two-year Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). The official signing took place on Wednesday, April 3rd, with STB’s Chief Executive, Melissa Ow, and Ritesh Pai, the Chief Executive Officer of International Payments Business at PhonePe.
This alliance is an extension of the pre-existing Unified Payments Interface (UPI) connectivity between India and Singapore. This allows customers to make instantaneous cross-border transactions between the two nations directly through their Indian bank accounts.
Under this collaboration, STB and PhonePe will jointly invest in marketing initiatives across both India and Singapore. Their aim is to highlight Singapore’s diverse attractions and the convenient UPI payment experiences available at prominent tourist destinations.
This pioneering partnership, marking the first between a tourist destination and a UPI payment platform, highlights the mutual dedication of STB and PhonePe to enrich the travel experience in Singapore. It allows travellers to utilize familiar services like UPI payments during their visits. Singapore, a bustling urban hub, is renowned for its iconic landmarks and historical districts, each offering a unique allure. The city boasts an array of exceptional retail, culinary, and adventurous spots that entice Indian travellers. This collaboration aims to enhance the ease with which Indian tourists can explore Singapore’s myriad attractions.
Melissa Ow, Chief Executive of the Singapore Tourism Board, commented, “We are thrilled to join forces with PhonePe, a prominent fintech entity in India. This alliance underscores our commitment to elevating the Singapore experience for tech-savvy travellers. By seamlessly integrating Singapore’s outstanding attractions into the digital landscape, we aim to simplify payments throughout the traveller’s journey and promote special deals across various sectors, from entertainment and shopping to dining and nightlife. This venture exemplifies STB’s dedication to innovation and prioritizing customer needs in the travel sector.”
Ritesh Pai, CEO of PhonePe’s International Business, remarked, “Singapore stands out as a vibrant destination with unique offerings that resonate deeply with Indian travellers. Our collaboration with STB will enable PhonePe users to make hassle-free transactions by simply scanning a QR code and paying directly from their bank account when visiting this captivating island-city.”
