See Singapore Like a Local With New Online Experiences From Airbnb

Even if you can't visit Singapore any time soon, there's still a way to experience the country's culture from your home.

Airbnb and the Singapore Tourism Board have teamed up to offer a range of unique, authentic online experiences hosted by locals on the Airbnb Experiences platform.

Since the COVID-19 pandemic has changed many people's travel plans in 2020 (and in 2021), virtual travel has quickly become a popular way to soothe people's wanderlust. Between virtual museums, tours of national parks, and online experiences, people are finding new ways to connect with different destinations now more than ever before.

Singapore Virtual Trips is a collection of Online Experiences hosted by people incredible people from Singapore. The collection will have a wide range of experiences for people to see and "visit" Singapore.

Foodies can take cooking classes with iconic chefs, including how to make kaya jam (a type of coconut jam), cook an Indian curry, explore the many flavors of Australian cuisine, or discover the "secrets" of Singapore's Michelin-starred chefs. There are also mixology experiences, like how to mix cocktails like a pro, or an introduction to Singapore's cocktail culture.

There are also lots of cultural experiences outside of the food and drink arena, including a sustainability-themed tour at Gardens by the Bay's Cloud Forest, a virtual visit to Peranakan home museum 'The Intan' with owner Alvin Yapp, an interactive bingo tour of the one-north tech precinct by Monster Day Tours, and a behind-the-scenes peek into the rich history of the Old Kallang Airport with Jerome Lim, founder of heritage website The Long and Winding Road.

Some other unique experiences include a tour of Singapore through film (including "Crazy, Rich Asians"), a sound bath meditation with a local DJ, or a tutorial on how to do magic like a real magician.

Through digital experiences, the new partnership hopes to encourage Singapore tourism professionals to engage with travelers in a new and unique way. The Singapore Tourism Board and Airbnb intend to also partner for in-person experiences, allowing travelers to explore the country both online and in real life.

For more information on how to visit Singapore virtually, visit the Airbnb Online Experiences website.

Andrea Romano is a freelance writer in New York City. Follow her on Twitter @theandrearomano.