SOUTH KOREA CALLING

Singapore’s VTL with South Korea starts tomorrow, allowing vaccinated leisure travellers to enter the popular Asian destination without quarantine

- Clement Yong

Come Tuesday, tour leader Kenneth Lee, 58, will finally lead his first tour to South Korea after two long years of odd jobs amid the Covid-19 pandemic.

He worked as a safe distancing ambassador and a healthcare caregiver, attended security management training and other courses, and even got a diploma in tourism and event management. But, finally, he can return to the profession that he had enjoyed for almost 21 years before 2020.

“I missed the food, the culture, the four seasons and the interactions with customers and travellers, some of whom have become personal friends,” said the Chan Brothers Travel tour leader.

“I’ll make sure to keep up to date with travel information and social distancing requirements of the destination so that I can provide advice to my tour group at each stage of the holiday.”

Singapore’s vaccinated travel lane (VTL) with South Korea, announced last month, kicks off tomorrow, allowing vaccinated leisure travellers to enter the popular Asia destination without quarantine.

It is the first pact of its kind between two major aviation hubs in Asia. Winter in South Korea is also particularly appealing to many Singaporeans, some of whom embrace Korean culture.

Tuesday’s Chan Brothers tour will be Singapore’s first large tour group to depart for South Korea under the VTL arrangement. Its 20 spots – down from the pre-Covid-19 capacity of 40 travellers – have all been snapped up, and the agency expects to send 10 more such groups to South Korea before the year is over.

A spokesman told The Sunday Times that the travellers are all aged between 30 and 50, with the exception of one 13-year-old.