Singapore Tourism Board and Wise to boost travel to Singapore and offer greater value for Malaysian travellers

SINGAPORE, 27 May 2025 - The Singapore Tourism Board (STB) and global technology company Wise have announced a strategic partnership to promote travel to Singapore and increase tourism spending by offering greater value to Malaysian travellers. The partnership marries STB’s expertise in destination marketing with Wise’s innovative financial solutions to strengthen Singapore’s position as a top travel destination for Malaysians, while offering them a convenient and affordable way to manage their finances during their visits. 

Malaysia was Singapore’s fourth-largest source market for inbound arrivals last year, accounting for 1.19 million visitor arrivals — a notable 9% increase compared to 2023¹. Malaysia is also Wise’s fastest-growing market in the Asia Pacific, highlighting strong demand for convenient, cross-border financial services. 

Discover Singapore’s latest attractions and win flights for your next trip back

As part of this collaboration, STB and Wise will launch digital and social media campaigns spotlighting Singapore's newest attractions, vibrant culture, and unique offerings. 

The campaign features a dedicated landing page where new users can sign up for a complimentary Wise Card. It also highlights some of Singapore’s newest experiences and destinations including Illumination’s Minion Land at Universal Studios Singapore, Mandai Wildlife Reserve’s Rainforest Wild ASIA and New Bahru, Singapore’s latest retail and lifestyle destination. 

During the promotional period from 26 May 2025 to 6 July 2025, 30 lucky individuals who use their Wise Card to pay for transactions in Singapore will each win a return economy flight from Malaysia to Singapore (capped at S$350) for their next Singapore getaway to further explore the destination’s line-up of exciting events and experiences. Winners will be announced by 14 July 2025. Terms and conditions apply. 

Spend with confidence in Singapore

Travelling is about creating lasting memories, without the hassle of exchange rates and hidden fees. While Malaysians are known for being savvy travellers, a recent survey by Wise² found that 96% of respondents still rely on traditional money changers when spending abroad. Additionally, 65% of respondents continue to use their local bank cards, despite 67% being aware of hidden exchange rate markups and foreign transaction fees as high as 3%.

This partnership seeks to empower Malaysians with modern and transparent financial tools for managing travel expenses, enhancing their experience in destination Singapore. 

Here’s how Wise helps Malaysians get the most out of their trip: 

• No hidden fees, just transparent exchange rates: Convert your MYR to SGD at the mid-market exchange rate (the rate that you usually see on Google) with no surprise fees. Whether you’re shopping local brands at Design Orchard or dining in Dempsey, you’ll know exactly what you’re paying for. 
• Manage 40+ currencies for seamless travel: Hold and manage over 40 currencies in one account. Easily switch between MYR and SGD as you explore Orchard Road, Sentosa or Katong-Joo Chiat. If your travels take you beyond Singapore, you can spend with the Wise Card in 160+ countries with no extra hassle.

• Contactless payments everywhere: Add your Wise card to Apple Pay or Google Pay for fast and secure payments across Singapore. Additionally, enjoy two fee-free ATM withdrawals of up to 1,000 MYR per month.

• Enjoy the flexibility of physical and virtual cards: Use your physical card for shopping and dining, or virtual cards for secure online bookings. Each virtual card comes with unique details and can be frozen after every purchase for peace of mind. Plus, you can manage up to three virtual cards at once — perfect for organising different spending categories, whether it’s for meals, shopping, or travel expenses

Shrawan (SK) Saraogi, Singapore CEO and APAC Head of Expansion at Wise, said, “This partnership with the Singapore Tourism Board demonstrates our shared vision of helping tourists discover Singapore’s rich heritage and world-class attractions, while enhancing the travel experience for Malaysian visitors. It also underscores Wise’s commitment to the region’s vibrant travel and tourism ecosystem, and our mission to deliver the fast, low-cost and transparent services that our customers need.” 

Terrence Voon, Executive Director, Southeast Asia, Singapore Tourism Board said, “Singapore offers an ever-evolving lineup of lifestyle offerings, leisure events and experiences at the doorstep of Malaysian travellers. That is why we have partnered WISE to help them see more, do more and get the most out of every moment in our city. Through this partnership, both seasoned visitors and those who are new to Singapore can look forward to greater value and convenience.”

Please refer to the press kit for more images.

About Singapore Tourism Board
The Singapore Tourism Board (STB) is the lead development agency for tourism, one of Singapore’s key economic sectors. Together with industry partners and the community, we shape a dynamic Singapore tourism landscape. We bring the Passion Made Possible brand to life by differentiating Singapore as a vibrant destination that inspires people to share and deepen their passions.

More: www.stb.gov.sg or www.visitsingapore.com | Follow us: facebook.com/STBsingapore or twitter.com/stb_sg    

[1] Data from Singapore Tourism Board

[2] Research conducted by Wise and Vase.ai from March 27 - April 4, 2025, gathered responses from a total of 1,014 participants from the Vase.ai proprietary online panel. The survey focused on understanding travel behaviours, spending habits, and preferences for travel deals among Malaysians.