Singapore has introduced the world’s first mobile tourist tax refund system, Tourego.
Approved by the Inland Revenue Authority of Singapore (IRAS), Tourego migrates the paper-based tax refund process on to an app, allowing users to receive and store their refund tickets in an e-wallet.
As well as that, Tourego provides shopping, food and travel tips about Singapore, plus users can compile a shopping list recommending retail partners. Already the network covers 100 businesses, with more expected to be announced soon.
Tourego aims to solve the worldwide problem of tourists spending too much time at airports trying to obtain their tax refunds, says founder/CEO Tan Tie Wee.
As well as enhancing the shopping experience for tourists, the app helps retail partners improve their efficiency as well as gain big-data insights into consumer behaviour,” he says.
“We are grateful to the Singapore Tourism Board (STB), IMDA, Spring Singapore and IE Singapore for their support as Tourego contributes to Singapore’s vision to be a smart nation.”
With Singapore as its first market, the Tourego app is free to download but is currently available only to non-Singaporeans to register for an account.