Common questions

Frequently asked questions

Answers to questions we get most often, about our tours, halal-friendly experiences, group sizes, booking, and how we work with travel agencies. If your question isn't here, reach us at info@merhabadest.com.

About Merhaba Destinations

What is Merhaba Destinations?
Merhaba Destinations is a Singapore-based, STB-licensed inbound tour operator offering small-group city tours, food trails, mosque heritage walks (Jaulah Masjid), and educational trips (Edutrips). Tours are led by Singapore Tourism Board licensed local guides and operate in English, Arabic, Malay, Bahasa Indonesia, and Turkish. Halal-friendly catering is available on request.
Are your guides licensed?
Yes. Every guide on our roster holds a Singapore Tourism Board (STB) Tourist Guide License, the formal credential issued by Singapore's destination authority to vetted local experts. Our founding guide holds STB License #6164.
Where in Singapore are you based?
We're a Singapore-based company. All tours operate within Singapore. Our Google Business Profile pin is in the east of the island; we'll confirm meeting points for each tour in your booking confirmation.

Tours & experiences

What kinds of tours do you run?
Four active categories: City Tours (heritage walks across Kampong Glam, Chinatown, Marina Bay and the Singapore River), Food Tours (hawker culture and food trails), Jaulah Masjid (mosque heritage visits), and Edutrips (educational programs for schools and group operators).
Are tours suitable for families with children?
Yes. We design itineraries that work for families across age bands, with pacing and content adjusted accordingly. Stroller accessibility varies by route; tell us in advance and we'll confirm or suggest a more accessible variant.
What is the group size?
Our standard cap is 20 travellers per tour for quality and pace. For private bookings or larger groups we'll run multiple parallel parties or design a private itinerary. The cap exists deliberately. Small groups mean real conversation and the ability to take a detour without holding twenty people up.
What is the meeting point and how do I find it?
Each tour has a confirmed meeting point listed on its detail page; we'll re-confirm it in your booking confirmation along with directions and a map link. Meeting points are typically MRT-accessible.

Halal & Muslim travellers

Can you accommodate halal-friendly requirements?
Yes. Most of our food vendor relationships are with MUIS halal-certified outlets, and mosque visits are conducted with appropriate etiquette guidance. Tell us at booking and we'll confirm specifics for your group.
Do you offer Arabic-speaking guides?
Yes. Our founding guide is fluent in Arabic. We also have Arabic-speaking guides on our roster and can supply Arabic-language itinerary documents and welcome materials on request.

Booking & payment

How do I book a tour?
Browse our tour catalogue, pick a tour and date, select your group size, and complete checkout. Bookings on the site are processed through Stripe with secure payment in SGD or your card's local currency.
What is your cancellation policy?
Cancellation policies are listed on each tour's booking page and in your confirmation email. As a general rule we offer flexible cancellation up to 48 hours before tour start; closer to the date, terms vary by tour. Genuine force-majeure scenarios (medical emergencies, flight disruption) are handled case-by-case.
Can I pay in a currency other than SGD?
All bookings are charged in Singapore Dollars (SGD). Your card issuer will convert at their prevailing rate; you'll see the converted amount on your statement. For agency partnerships we offer net rates in alternative currencies; see our Partners page.
Can I find an existing booking?
Yes. Use our Find a booking page with your booking reference and the email used for the booking. You can download your confirmation and itinerary documents from there.

For travel agencies & group operators

Do you work with overseas travel agencies?
Yes. We work with retail, luxury, and group operators across Europe, the GCC, and APAC as their Singapore inbound partner. See our For Agencies page for partnership details, regional case profiles, and the typical engagement process.
Are you a DMC or a ground handler?
Both, depending on partnership scope. For agencies new to Singapore we typically run as a full Destination Management Company (DMC), handling itinerary design, supplier sourcing, and end-to-end coordination. For agencies with their own programs we run as ground handler, executing your itinerary on the day. Pricing and terms differ accordingly.
What languages can guided programs be delivered in?
English, Arabic, Malay, Bahasa Indonesia, and Turkish. Bilingual delivery is available for mixed-language groups.

Still have a question?

Email us, message us on Google Business, or use the contact form. We typically reply within one business day.

Contact us