Singapore Tourism Board (STB) has teamed up with augmented reality (AR) technology company, Niantic, to showcase local tourism offerings through the popular smartphone game, Pokémon GO.
The collaboration is part of the ongoing SingapoRediscovers campaign to support local businesses, STB said in a press statement.
With the tie-up between STB and Niantic, players will be able to meet and capture Pokémon or engage in virtual Raids with other players at up to 300 new PokéStops and Gyms located at tourism establishments and lifestyle offerings.
These are located at hotels, attractions, retailers, food and beverage establishments as well as at tour ticketing booths in ten precincts, including Changi/East Coast, Chinatown, Joo Chiat/ Katong, Kampong Gelam, and Mandai/Kranji. STB is also planning to schedule special Raid Battles in some areas.
When players arrive at these PokéStops and Gyms on Pokémon GO, they will see an in-app banner promoting the SingapoRediscovers campaign. Tapping on the banner brings players to the campaign microsite, which displays the ongoing SingapoRediscovers promotions available at tourism and lifestyle establishments.
The Pokémon GO game encourages people to walk around and discover new things in their surroundings, which will enable the discovery of local businesses and precinct exploration.
“We are excited by this collaboration with Niantic, which allows us to connect with the passionate community of Pokémon GO players in a fun and innovative way," said Lim Shoo Ling, STB’s Brand Director.
"As they pursue their favorite Pokémon across Singapore, we hope players will explore our precincts, discover hidden gems, and support local business – while staying safe and observing the necessary precautions.”
Added Gary Chang, APAC Business Development Lead, Niantic, “We are very excited to work with Singapore Tourism Board on this partnership. Our strength is to influence people to walk physically from location to location, and we are hoping to utilize this to encourage people to explore different parts of Singapore in-depth and boost domestic travel needs."
