MasterCard launches ‘Priceless Singapore’

MANILA, Philippines - Singapore may be small, but it packs a punch well beyond its size. To celebrate what makes the little island special, MasterCard launches Priceless Singapore, making life even more priceless with unique and novel experiences specially curated for cardholders who live and visit its shores.

Be it pre-ordering the latest look right off the international runways, hobnobbing with Europe’s royals at a charity gala, or living in the lap of luxury at invitation-only hotel suites, MasterCard’s Priceless Singapore connects people with their passions — shopping, travel, food and entertainment — and gives select access to a collection of exceptional experiences across the city.

The MasterCard Priceless Cities program takes the long-running and iconic “Priceless” brand from one that celebrates priceless moments to one that enables and brings these priceless experiences to life.

Singapore is the first city in Southeast Asia to become a Priceless City, joining the ranks of iconic cities where MasterCard has rolled out its global program, including New York, London, Beijing and Sydney.

The choice reflects Singapore’s importance and relevance as a rich, diverse and multifaceted hub, attracting people to live, visit, work and play.

Singapore’s strength as a global city and a top destination in Southeast Asia also makes it the ideal regional hub to reach out to the five million consumers residing in Singapore, and to international visitors in the region and beyond.

The latest MasterCard Index of Global Destination Cities, released in June 2012, placed Singapore among the world’s top destination cities. Singapore ranked fourth out of 132 cities globally by international visitor arrivals and fifth overall by visitor spend.

Priceless Singapore benefits MasterCard cardholders residing in Singapore, as well as the 13.2 million inbound visitors to the city. A significant proportion of these visitors are from Southeast Asia (41.1 percent) and from North Asia (25.7 percent).

“Consumers today are well-travelled and discerning. They seek exclusive offers and curated experiences that cater to their specific interests and needs,” says Sophia Ng, assistant chief executive for marketing of the Singapore Tourism Board (STB).

“We feel privileged that MasterCard has selected Singapore as the first city in Southeast Asia for their iconic Priceless Cities campaign among other global cities. MasterCard’s confidence in Singapore’s depth and breadth of rich experiences to deliver priceless moments is testament that Singapore has indeed come of age. We believe that Priceless Singapore will resonate well with both Singapore residents and our international visitors,” Ng says.

“MasterCard’s marketing effort is rooted on a deep appreciation of consumer needs to curate relevant and appealing experiences for their customers. STB shares the same philosophy and also adopts a visitor-centric approach to personalize the Singapore experience for our varied audience,” Ng adds.

Matthew Driver, president for Southeast Asia of MasterCard Worldwide, says, “In Singapore, our biggest obsession is food, and shopping is our national pastime. We have great attractions that have reignited our love for our city, and world-class entertainment, arts and culture gravitate here — Singapore is an Asian hub with a sophisticated, internationally minded population and attracts well-heeled travelers from regional markets.” 

Singapore is also an important business hub. A MasterCard survey showed that 68 percent of Singaporeans felt they work hard for their money and deserve to reward themselves with the extras in life.

With Priceless Singapore, MasterCard aims to surprise and delight cardholders with exclusive experiences and privileged access, designed to be shared and enjoyed with the people who matter to them.

Some initial offers include attending the “by invitation only” fundraising Royal Gala Dinner hosted by Prince Albert II of Monaco to benefit environmental causes in November; discovering creative rising stars at Future Fashion Now, the revolutionary fashion portal, with a chance to pre-order and receive the highly coveted Spring/Summer 2013 designer collections before they hit the stores; feeling like a celebrity at Universal Studios Singapore for the ultimate adrenaline rush — with a dedicated guide and superstar treatment at the VIP Lounge; welcoming a bespoke mixologist into your home to learn the art behind a fabulous cocktail; watching Jersey Boys with nine BFFs from the best seats in the house after a private dinner party; special booking privileges at the invitation-only Crockfords Tower at Resorts World Sentosa; and enjoying a private and exclusive themed dining experience with 13 friends in the sleek, luxurious Gaggenau Experience Center, prepared by some of Singapore’s most celebrated chefs.

MasterCard invites people to register for Priceless Singapore at www.pricelesssingapore.com to explore the city, plan their very own Priceless itinerary and learn more about the Priceless offers online. All experiences offered are available to both domestic and overseas MasterCard cardholders.

Julienne Loh, vice president and country manager for Singapore of MasterCard Worldwide, says, “Singapore is about excellence, quality, striving to succeed — people are busy; they work really hard and are always on the go. That’s part of the buzz here — visitors come to experience that energy and enjoy all the city has to offer. Priceless Singapore is MasterCard’s way of giving denizens and visitors a reason to let loose a little, break out of the routine — to take the time to forget about time, every once in a while. We want to enhance experiences in the city and make Singapore a little more priceless for cardholders.”