Singapore Airlines ties up with Spain Tourism Board

Singapore Airlines and Spain Tourism Board have signed a memorandum of understanding aimed at boosting tourist arrivals to Spain.

Under the agreement, both parties will jointly explore and implement activities to promote tourist traffic to Spain, by way of Singapore Airlines’ services between Singapore and Barcelona. Both have agreed to commit funds through to the end of this year to support advertising and promotional campaigns, as well as familiarisation programmes for trade and media, among other plans.

Spain is an important part of Singapore Airlines’ network and its growth in recent years has been promising. Since launching thrice-weekly flights to Barcelona in 2006 with Boeing 777-200ER aircraft, the service has been increased to seven times weekly, using Boeing 777-300ER aircraft fitted with the airline’s newest cabin products.

Beyond Barcelona, Singapore Airlines customers can connect to the Spanish cities of Bilbao, Madrid, and Palma de Mallorca on codeshare partner Spanair’s services. In March 2011, Barcelona also became Singapore Airlines’ gateway to its first South American destination – Sao Paulo.

“This agreement underscores our confidence in the potential and allure of Spain, as well as our commitment to developing and promoting tourism from Southeast Asia and other parts of the Asia Pacific to Spain,” said Tan Chik Quee, Singapore Airlines’ Senior Vice President Marketing.

“With its rich culture and heritage, world-renowned cuisine, and the warmth and friendliness of its people, Spain is a very attractive destination for both business and leisure travellers. We are pleased to play our part in growing the market.”

“The signing of this MoU means a lot to us since it’s the first of its kind signed by Singapore Airlines with a European destination to cover several target markets,” said Ms Angela Castaño, director of the Spain Tourism Board. “We hope that it will encourage people from Southeast Asia and other parts of the Asia Pacific to travel to a destination where they can enjoy what they love most, culture, food and shopping. This is an important step that encourages us to promote Spain more than ever in Asia Pacific.”

Key target markets under the agreement include Australia, New Zealand, Indonesia, the Philippines and Singapore. (www.traveltips.com)