We Singaporeans are a well-travelled bunch. Local travel fairs and online getaway sites have been selling travel packages like hotcakes in recent years, buoyed by a strong Singapore dollar. A profusion of travel blogs has also sprung up in recent years, fuelling the YOLO (you only live once) mindset of the millennial generation.
Adding to the mix, the week-old website BeMyGuest.sg has injected a little Singaporean appeal to its travel portal with the launch of its Singlish edition on the August 6, 2013, just in time for the nation’s 48th birthday.
Its headers and site links will be penned in colloquial slang, encouraging visitors to relax lah and put together the vacation of their dreams with the site’s useful thematic options. With a focus on customised tours for staycations and trips to surrounding Asian destinations, BeMyGuest.sg offers a plethora of options for anyone planning their ideal holiday.
By linking travellers to locals at their destination directly, BeMyGuest.sg enables travellers to book land tours and activities like a native, allowing them to expand outside the usual tourist agenda and truly play like a local. For savvy planners eager to get the best rates available, BeMyGuest.sg makes life easier by incorporating a comparison tool for users to match and compare tours on the same page.
Clement Wong, the mastermind behind BeMyGuest.sg, is an avid traveller himself. His brainchild was conceived after witnessing the plight of locals during his own travels. “The eureka moment came when I was on safari after a business trip in Kenya. I experienced first-hand the inability to book a local Maasai tour directly”, said Wong.
“The Maasai warrior who brought me around his village was at the mercy of global tour operators and earned very little. I wanted to change that – locally and globally – to empower that warrior and others like him, to earn more and benefit positively from tourism.”
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At first glance, BeMyGuest.sg appears to have something to suit everyone. An exciting line up of 10,000 tours and activities will be released over the next few months. From rock-climbing and cooking classes, to kayaking, hiking and scuba diving activities in exotic locations like Ukraine, Uzbekistan, and even North Korea. There are certainly no lack of options to choose from.
Here are five picks from BeMyGuest.sg to start you off on your next voyage:
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Fighter jet flight with ex-Luftwaffe pilot, Germany
Adrenaline junkies can consider taking to the skies in a fighter jet with an ex-Luftwaffe pilot in Germany. Admire the mysterious beauty of the black forest from a bird’s eye view as you fly past overhead. Be amazed by the ground attack abilities of Luftwaffe pilots during simulated air strikes during the flight.
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Evening Authentic Vietnamese Cooking Class, Hanoi, Vietnam
Food enthusiasts can try their hand at cooking authentic Vietnamese cuisine in Hanoi, Vietnam. An introduction to Hanoi’s famous markets will help participants find the freshest ingredients for their dishes. Learn about various local ingredients including vegetables, fruits and Vietnamese herbs and spices that you could incorporate in your cooking. If you are heading to Vietnam, don’t miss this opportunity to cook and savor your own Vietnamese dishes!
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11D10N Spiritual tour, Italy (From Rome)
Set off on an exploration of historic lands and cultures of the Catholic faith with a 11 day spiritual tour in Italy. Kneel on the Holy Stairs at St. John Lateran Basilica, a favourite of pilgrims everywhere. Visit some of Christendom’s exulted shrines, including Shrine of Monte Sant’Angelo, where St. Michael the Archangel had appeared in history.
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4D3N Bali Honeymoon Package, Indonesia
Enjoy a quick four days romantic getaway with your partner in Bali, Indonesia. Spend a day exploring Kintamani together, feasting on scrupulous local delicacies and enjoying the local sights. Look your best for a Balinese photo session and take home a framed photograph of your best picture. Wrap up the lovely trip with a charming candlelight dinner for two.
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20D19N Fascinating multi-city tour, Myanmar
History and cultural buffs will be pleased with this comprehensive insight into Myanmar’s history, culture, beauty and its unique charm. Visit the famous Shwedagon Pagoda and the wondrous golden sacred boulder in Kyaiktiyo. You cannot leave Myanmar without a tour of Bagan’s temples and pagodas; collectively the area embodies the spiritual heritage of ancient Burma. Laud at the stunning artistry of the plaster carvings and glazed sandstone decorations as you walk through one of the most remarkable archaeological sites in Asia.
All tours and activities featured in this article are subjected to the availability and conditions of BeMyGuest.sg. Specific period of travel and booking details for each tour or activity can be found at their individual links provided above. For more information, please visit www.bemyguest.sg.
