'So much relief': Sales trickle in for hard-hit travel retailers as more VTLs open

One moneychanger, Regent Money Changer, additionally has not benefited from the rise in travel – just because its shops have remained shut, as they're in motels serving quarantined travellers.

In any case, its enterprise depends closely on these travelling to and from close by international locations such as China, Thailand or India, for which quarantine-free travel isn't an possibility but, stated Mr Abdul Mu’id, who used to assist his father run the enterprise.

And they don't seem to be betting on a fast restoration in tourism. “Even though borders opened and you can travel, going back to the original form – I think it won’t be for now, maybe after five years,” he stated.

WILL IT IMPROVE FURTHER?

Moving ahead, shops hope the gross sales momentum will proceed to develop.

This is as a result of the tip of the yr is historically a peak gross sales interval, given the vacation season, stated The Planet Traveller’s Mr Aw Yang.

Luggage Outlet’s Mr Tan added that the upcoming 11.11 and 12.12 gross sales must also give retailers a lift.

Winter Time additionally stated it expects gross sales to extend one other 15 to twenty per cent in the following two months, particularly if more VTLs are introduced.

More leisure travellers are prone to return to the market in the following few months, the companies stated.

“Travel, after all, is one of Singaporeans' favourite past times and VTLs definitely offer a respite from the pandemic-enforced day-to-day grind at work,” stated Mr Tan.

The Travel Store’s Ms Lim added: "I feel most Singaporeans are nonetheless very conservative, they'll wish to monitor and see … So possibly subsequent yr (gross sales) will enhance more.

“I’m not sure (how much sales will increase), but at least it’s up, then I’m very happy already … So as long as it goes up, we see the light.”