SINGAPORE: At the start of this year, Byron Koh discovered that rock bottom had a basement.
That promise has remained his compass in a troubled tourism landscape. Today, with a creative pivot plus a little help from job-saving schemes, he has not only picked himself up but has even created more jobs than before.WATCH: How my tour company survived the pandemic This year was supposed to be one for the books for the director of Lion Heartlanders, which Byron founded last year.
In the RSAF, his portfolio had included designing National Education programmes for his men. Starting Lion Heartlanders was, in his opinion, the best way he could help more Singaporeans know more about, and better connect with, their country.For example, his Melting Pot of Tea tour was a way for people to appreciate Singapore’s different heritages through a common beverage, with tea blending sessions, food tasting and cultural commentary.
Afforded a personal lifeline, he began to explore the different sorts of stay-at-home travel experiences there were. These included platforms like Airbnb Online Experiences, which introduced people to varied aspects of a country or culture. “When the guide shows you something, and you want to see it again, you can have the guide go back and show you that component of the tour again,” says Byron.
First, they ensure there is a live stream from the tour site. A technical team keeps this running, as a virtual tour effectively collapses with technical difficulties.Finally, there should be a corresponding activity in the classroom. A virtual tour of Little India, for example, could include individually packed spices that pupils can smell and touch.
“We’ve made it back already and more. We were booked up for October, so the forecast looks pretty decent,” he says.