{"id":25867,"date":"2021-02-18T17:51:42","date_gmt":"2021-02-18T09:51:42","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.you.co\/sg\/?p=25867"},"modified":"2021-04-08T10:29:54","modified_gmt":"2021-04-08T02:29:54","slug":"budget-2021-summary-travellers-shoppers","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.you.co\/sg\/blog\/budget-2021-summary-travellers-shoppers\/","title":{"rendered":"Budget 2021 Summary: What Travellers &amp; Shoppers Need To Know"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Wondering what Budget 2021 means for you beyond the GST vouchers? Here&#8217;s the 411 on what some of the measures mean for you as a traveller and a shopper. Read on to find out more!<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>Ever since the COVID-19 pandemic hit our shores, Singaporeans have shown their deep appreciation for grocery shopping, bubble tea, and a good parliamentary speech.\u00a0So when Minister Heng Sweet Keat delivered Tuesday\u2019s Budget 2021 statement through the airwaves, it came as no surprise that we all sat by our screens, waiting in anticipation for the news to drop.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>And while we now know what Budget 2021 brings for us collectively as Singaporeans, our team wondered what it meant for us as travellers and shoppers. So we picked out the 3 most salient points addressed in Parliament and broke them down for the community here at YouTrip!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Ultimate YouTrip Guide To Budget 2021:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li><a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/www.you.co\/sg\/blog\/budget-2021-gst-imported-online-shopping\/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Budget 2021: GST will be charged on all overseas online shopping from Jan 2023<\/strong><\/a><\/li><li><strong>Budget 2021 Summary: What Travellers &amp; Shoppers Need To Know<\/strong><\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Highlight #1: Support &amp; Extended Cost Relief For The Aviation Sector<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>Across the globe, we\u2019ve seen the downfall of airlines like Virgin Australia to Mexico\u2019s Interjet \u2014 highlighting how badly hit the travel and tourism industry has been. And while our domestic carriers aren\u2019t spared from the carnage, the government has pledged a total of <strong>S$870 million<\/strong> to support the entire sector.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>What it means for travellers<\/strong>:<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>As Mr. Heng had mentioned, he expects the sector to \u201cuse this lull period to improve its capabilities and prepare for recovery.\u201d This means that we can expect to see upgrades in existing facilities and processes, as well as the implementation of newer systems that can support a post-Covid travel climate.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/Nl20lAhHxXgoweLuPDJU-8Xq_JDlvsPIbK5q_0SVl1cAB_y1BuJGjL-8WxVFd-HuPlHUV8WSimA8g5Ez9F9rAItx7jx_eyDF7EUJDEHIzMPGvOlcMe2ZmMGTXA1DaR3-RMSwDoBQ\" alt=\"Budget 2021 Summary: What Travellers &amp; Shoppers Need To Know\" \/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center\"><em>Feels like forever ago, doesn\u2019t it? Image credits: PBS<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>According to the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.weforum.org\/agenda\/2020\/09\/how-is-covid-19-changing-our-airports\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">World Economic Forum<\/a>, we might see greater use of biometric systems, more sanitation systems in place, and even some airport redesign to reduce the number of high-density areas. In fact, several airlines have already implemented <a href=\"https:\/\/www.you.co\/sg\/blog\/flying-post-covid-19\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">new travel policies<\/a> to adapt to the new norms! With Changi\u2019s demonstrated commitment to being the region\u2019s air hub, future inbound travellers can expect smooth and efficient entry into Singapore, while outbound travellers may also experience fewer delays a.k.a just another day transiting in Changi Airport \ud83d\ude09<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong><strong>Highlight #<\/strong>2: Quicker COVID-19 Vaccine Verifications<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>While travel might not be as widespread as before, we\u2019ve still witnessed how travellers are using <a href=\"http:\/\/wsj.com\/articles\/in-covid-era-travel-scam-fraudsters-offer-fake-test-results-11612612802\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">bogus COVID-19 test certificates<\/a> to board planes. As governments grapple with this very foreign (and not to mention #firstworld) problem, we\u2019re beginning to see airlines and airports experimenting with various verification tech.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>As mentioned by Mr. Heng, a priority for Changi is to ensure that they ramp up their arrival testing and biosafety systems. This has led to the collaboration between GovTech and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.affinidi.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Affinidi<\/a>, a Temasek-founded startup that offers tech solutions such as the creation of portable digital identities, issuance of digital credentials as well as safe and selective sharing of verifiable data.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/lh6.googleusercontent.com\/CVINKvsW5Wvc6LL3x7ABdtDOCYKrzDDXTvfCUhV_BWk9co4O51_TpUBeO-hzGBWAZ0Aqko5DTOZgrLfk6V9PROLdMnPXY3sg26aJFWEiPq0Jo5Wuyk3OMsojAF_BldGddV2WZMWJ\" alt=\"Budget 2021 Summary: What Travellers &amp; Shoppers Need To Know\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center\"><em>Image credits: Affinidi<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>The pilot programme, <a href=\"https:\/\/iccwbo.org\/media-wall\/news-speeches\/breakthrough-for-air-travel-as-singapore-becomes-first-government-to-accept-digital-covid-19-test-results-for-immigration-purposes\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">AOKpass<\/a>, uses blockchain technology to authenticate and secure negative COVID-19 test results, with plans to expand into immunisation and other medical compliance records.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong><strong>What it means for travellers<\/strong>:<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>Well, if travel is only going to be permissible for those with 1. a negative COVID-19 test, and 2. proof of being vaccinated against the virus, then this might incentivise more people to get their jabs! Of course, there are other ways to incentivise people\u2026 <a href=\"https:\/\/www.you.co\/sg\/blog\/vaccine-hubs\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">such as using iconic locations as makeshift vaccine hubs.&nbsp;<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>As for us Singaporeans, this could likely be a win-win for us. After all, we already hold one of the most powerful passports in the world. And if we can develop an efficient and effective way of verifying medical records, we\u2019re looking at some serious street cred! (or in this case, travel cred).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong><strong>Highlight #<\/strong>3: GST Charge On All Imported Goods<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>While this isn\u2019t exactly travel-related, online shopping is something we all hold close to our hearts.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>So\u2026 what exactly is it, and how am I affected?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>Sometimes known as \u2018import duty\u2019, it is a tax collected on products purchased and sent from overseas. In this case, anything shipped to Singapore will be subject to a small fee, as long as it\u2019s valued under S$400.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Other than your Taobao and ASOS hauls, this also includes imported non-digital services like fitness training and counselling. But before you throw hands, just know that this is our government\u2019s way of protecting local businesses and ensuring a level playing field for them.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>While the taxes are unavoidable, you can use this as an incentive to save as much money by gaming the exchange rate system \u2014 which is where we come in \ud83d\ude0e&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/lh4.googleusercontent.com\/WpcJGXfpACy_HZshQzCjfAiF--x3IpTMoa3U4dn6MHWIePIKOiiBgHseO84hzV8S02O5mHkOeM4osXgLZpyrp5_Gzk0C1E3LBaXA9XxX9OF1Rwxn5VRe0nGjRl2oLRqzq9SwKro8\" alt=\"Budget 2021 Summary: What Travellers &amp; Shoppers Need To Know\" \/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center\"><em>Image credits: giphy.com<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>This is the perfect time for you to sign up for a multi-currency card like YouTrip\u2019s so that you can score competitive <a href=\"https:\/\/www.you.co\/sg\/blog\/what-are-wholesale-exchange-rates-how-to-use\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">wholesale exchange rates<\/a>. Maybe you can also learn a thing or two about the vast and wonderful world of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.you.co\/sg\/blog\/ultimate-overseas-online-shopping-compilation-guide\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">freight forwarding<\/a> so that you&#8217;re well-equipped to tackle the GST rates come 2023. You\u2019ll thank us later!&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>(We elaborated more on the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.you.co\/sg\/blog\/budget-2021-gst-imported-online-shopping\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">upcoming GST changes affecting overseas online shopping and imported goods here<\/a>!)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>When will we feel the brunt of all that\u2019s been mentioned?&nbsp;<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>Regardless of when air travel resumes, things are most certainly going to be vastly different from our pre-COVID reality. As the saying goes, change is the only constant, so the only way forward is to embrace the new norms like a warm hug!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If you don\u2019t have a YouTrip card yet, use &lt;<strong><a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/youtrip.onelink.me\/HnkC\/49ead0da\" target=\"_blank\">BLOG5<\/a><\/strong>&gt; during your sign-up to enjoy a free S$5 in your account! \ud83d\ude0e<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>For more great guides and tips like this,&nbsp;<a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/t.me\/youtripsquad\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>join our Telegram Community (@YouTripS<\/strong><\/a><strong><a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/t.me\/youtripsquad\" target=\"_blank\">q<\/a><\/strong><strong><a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/t.me\/youtripsquad\" target=\"_blank\">u<\/a><\/strong><strong><a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/t.me\/youtripsquad\" target=\"_blank\">a<\/a><\/strong><a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/t.me\/youtripsquad\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>d<\/strong><\/a><a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/t.me\/youtripsquad\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>)<\/strong><\/a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<strong><a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/go.you.co\/blog-newsletter\" target=\"_blank\">subscribe to our free weekly newsletter here<\/a><\/strong>&nbsp;or down below!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Related Articles<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/www.you.co\/sg\/blog\/ultimate-overseas-online-shopping-compilation-guide\/\" target=\"_blank\">The Ultimate Overseas Online Shopping Compilation Guide<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.you.co\/sg\/blog\/when-can-we-travel-again\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">When Can We Travel Again: 2023 For Travel to Fully Resume<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.you.co\/sg\/blog\/taobao-free-shipping\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">How to Use Taobao Free Shipping Zone<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><a href=\"https:\/\/youtrip.onelink.me\/HnkC\/49ead0da\"><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"728\" height=\"90\" src=\"https:\/\/www.you.co\/sg\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2020\/04\/15_728x90.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-15551\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.you.co\/sg\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2020\/04\/15_728x90.jpg 728w, https:\/\/www.you.co\/sg\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2020\/04\/15_728x90-300x37.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 728px) 100vw, 728px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p><em><sub>*Top banner Budget 2021 logo from <a href=\"https:\/\/www.mof.gov.sg\/singaporebudget\/about-budget\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">MOF<\/a><\/sub><\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Get the 411 breakdown<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":49,"featured_media":25885,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[621,624],"tags":[39132],"class_list":["post-25867","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-finance-foreign-exchange","category-travel","tag-trending"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.you.co\/sg\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/25867","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.you.co\/sg\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.you.co\/sg\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.you.co\/sg\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/49"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.you.co\/sg\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=25867"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.you.co\/sg\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/25867\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.you.co\/sg\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/25885"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.you.co\/sg\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=25867"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.you.co\/sg\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=25867"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.you.co\/sg\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=25867"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}