(A) Company Background/Introduction

The Singapore Tourism Board (STB) is the economic development agency for one of Singapore’s key service sectors – tourism. The mission of the Board is to develop and champion tourism, so as to build the sector into a key driver of economic growth for Singapore. While the STB continues to perform its tourism promotion functions, it will also fulfil a much broader economic development role for the tourism sector.

The STB aims to ensure that tourism remains a key economic pillar through long-term strategic planning in partnership with the public and private sector stakeholders. The STB’s goal is to create exciting and innovative experiences for our visitors, in close partnership with the travel trade industry, thus etching forever in visitors’ minds an image of Singapore as a unique and compelling destination. To do so, the STB has identified three key areas of focus – strengthening Singapore’s position as a Leading Convention and Exhibition City in Asia, developing Singapore as a leading Asian leisure destination, and establishing Singapore as the Services Centre of Asia.

(B) Augmented Reality Call for Proposals

STB is keen on the adoption of Immersive and Out-Of-Home Augmented Reality Implementations for the Tourism sector.

Immersive Experience
This includes the use of augmented Reality to enhance a visitor’s experience on-site through immersive play and learn eg. Re-create historic sites and simulate past events at an attraction or developing interactive real time immersive games that allow players to participate through a Virtual interface.

Non-Immersive Experience
The use of Augmented Reality to display real time information about points of interests or promotions based on visitor’s locations, thereby encouraging tourism spending or providing more timely destination content.

Proposals for pilots must secure a commitment from Tourism industry users for Augmented Reality application at a tourism venue. Platform development solutions should be open to allow other application development by other companies / start-ups, and for a diverse pool of in-house and user-generated content to be generated. STB is also open to explore various mediums to deliver these experiences; for instance, holographic projections, handheld devices and interactive screens, etc.

Proposals will be evaluated based on the experience concept, business model and its sustainability

(C) Tourism Technology Fund
The Tourism Technology Fund (TTF) is a programme which aims to accelerate technology innovation and adoption in the tourism industry by providing financial support to technology projects that would enhance visitors’ experience or improve business efficiency.

The TTF is a S$10 million fund supported under the Tourism Development Assistance Scheme (TDAS) and aims to encourage tourism establishments to harness and adopt technology for innovation.
Together with the MDA, STB is calling for proposals in the above areas of focus.

Eligibility Criteria

The Tourism Technology Fund only funds Tourism businesses for adoption. Projects proposed must provide a viable business consideration for a Tourism Business and have secured their interest/buy-in for implementation. Tourism Businesses include but not limited to Hotels, MICE players, Travel Agents and Attractions. All applicants should be Singapore-registered entities and the project must be carried out in Singapore.

(D) Contact Details:

Mr. Darren Seah
Technology Manager, Technology Development Department
Tel : +65 6831 3677
Fax : +65 6734 9102
Email : darren_seah@stb.gov.sg

Download Singapore Tourism Board’s presentation slides for FutureWorlds on 23 Oct – Download