If you run a travel agency in Singapore and want to grow into regional markets — Vietnam, Thailand, Indonesia, or beyond — two government grants can offset a large share of your overseas marketing and trade fair costs. MRA reimburses up to 70% of overseas digital marketing and business development expenses, while DTDi gives you automatic 200% tax deduction on qualifying trade fair and business travel spending. This guide explains what each covers, the Budget 2026 enhancements, and how to apply.
Scenario
Who: Travel agency owner expanding to regional markets
What: Using MRA and DTDi for overseas digital marketing and trade fair participation
Grants: MRA (primary), DTDi (complementary)
At a glance (what to apply for)
| Best Grant | What it covers | Why travel agencies use it | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overseas digital marketing | MRA | Digital ads, SEO, social media campaigns targeting overseas markets | 70% reimbursement on overseas promotion costs (post-Budget 2026) |
| Overseas business development | MRA | Market research, partner identification, business matching in target countries | Covers costs of finding overseas partners and understanding new markets |
| Trade fairs and business travel | DTDi | Trade fair participation, overseas business travel for market expansion | 200% tax deduction — automatic for first S$400K per YA (from YA 2027) |
What grants cover for tourism digital marketing
MRA — Overseas Marketing and Promotion (OMP)
Covers overseas digital advertising, social media campaigns, SEO for regional markets, content localisation, and online marketplace listings. Up to 70% support for SMEs from 1 Apr 2026.
MRA — Overseas Business Development (OBD)
Covers market research, partner search, and business matching trips. Useful when entering a new country and needing local ground partners, inbound operators, or distribution channels.
DTDi — Trade Fair Participation
Automatic 200% tax deduction on qualifying expenses: trade fair booth rental, travel costs for overseas trade fairs, and business development trips. No prior approval needed for the first S$400K per YA (from YA 2027).
Budget 2026 enhancements
| Enhancement | Before | After | Effective |
|---|---|---|---|
| MRA support level | 50% for SMEs | 70% for SMEs | From 1 Apr 2026 |
| MRA market rule | New market only | Any market (new or established) | From 2H 2026 |
| DTDi auto-deduction cap | S$150K per YA | S$400K per YA | From YA 2027 |
The market rule change is significant for travel agencies. Previously, MRA only supported entry into markets you had never operated in. From 2H 2026, you can use MRA to deepen presence in existing markets — e.g., scaling digital marketing in Thailand even if you already have Thai partners.
How to apply (step by step)
For MRA
- Define your target market and activity (1-2 weeks) — decide which country and whether you need digital marketing (OMP) or partner search (OBD)
- Engage an MRA-supportable vendor (1-2 weeks) — digital marketing agency, market research firm, or business matching consultant
- Get a detailed quotation (1 week) — break down costs by activity: ad spend, content creation, platform fees, travel
- Apply via Business Grants Portal before spending (same week) — do not commit to vendors or start campaigns before receiving the Letter of Offer
- Execute and claim (3-6 months) — run campaigns, collect receipts and proof of activities, submit claims with supporting documents
For DTDi
- Identify qualifying activities — trade fair participation, overseas business development trips, market feasibility studies
- Keep records of all expenses — booth rental invoices, flight and hotel receipts, trade fair registration fees
- Claim auto-deduction at tax filing — for expenses up to S$400K per YA (from YA 2027), claim directly in your tax return without prior approval from Enterprise Singapore
- Apply to Enterprise Singapore for amounts above S$400K — if your total qualifying expenses exceed the auto-deduction cap
Documents needed
For MRA
- ACRA BizFile / business profileNot completed
- Vendor quotation with cost breakdown by activityNot completed
- Market entry or expansion plan (target country, objectives, timeline)Not completed
- Company financials (latest audited or management accounts)Not completed
- Bank account details for reimbursementNot completed
For DTDi
- Trade fair registration and booth rental invoicesNot completed
- Flight and accommodation receipts for business travelNot completed
- Proof of trade fair participation (photos, visitor badges, brochures)Not completed
- Summary of qualifying expenses for tax filingNot completed
Expected outcomes
Example scenario: A travel agency spends S$40K on Vietnam trade fairs and digital marketing campaigns. MRA-OMP reimburses 70% = S$28K back. Separately, the agency spends S$80K on business development trips to Thailand (an established market). DTDi gives 200% tax deduction on S$80K = S$160K deductible, reducing taxable income significantly.
- Increased brand visibility in target regional markets through digital channels
- Direct partnerships with overseas operators, hotels, and ground agents
- Lower effective cost of trade fair participation through tax deductions
- Faster market entry with government-supported partner matching
Common mistakes to avoid
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Starting campaigns before MRA approval MRA does not reimburse retrospective spending. Apply and receive the Letter of Offer before committing to vendors or launching campaigns.
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Mixing personal and business travel expenses for DTDi Only business-related travel qualifies. Keep personal side-trips separate and clearly documented to avoid IRAS disallowing the entire claim.
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Assuming MRA covers domestic marketing MRA only covers overseas-directed activities. Digital ads targeting Singapore audiences do not qualify, even if the campaign is about outbound travel products.
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Missing the auto-deduction cap change timing The S$400K auto-deduction cap applies from YA 2027 (i.e., expenses incurred in financial year 2026). For YA 2026 filings, the old S$150K cap still applies.
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Not keeping proof of overseas activity Both MRA claims and DTDi deductions require supporting evidence. Save trade fair badges, campaign analytics reports, meeting records, and vendor deliverables.
Related Guides
- MRA Grant Overview
- DTDi Grant Overview
- Budget 2026 Business Grants Hub
- Getting Started Guide
- Grant Pitfalls Guide
- Singapore Grants Glossary