Johor and Singapore Tourism Get a New Cross-Border Boost with JETCO Connect 2.0

Written By: Abhirup Gan

Abhirup Gan

I'm Abhirup Gan, a Mass Communication graduate and digital marketing professional. Driven by a passion for storytelling, I create insightful, research-led content that explores tourism trends, destination stories, and hospitality developments with depth and clarity. Through my writing, I hope to inspire readers to discover not only where to travel, but the stories, cultures, and experiences that make every journey meaningful.

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August 12, 2026 10:06 AM

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Tourism across Johor and Singapore is being revitalised through a new transnational effort, and Desaru Coast has not been left out of this equation. Through its initiative called “JETCO Connect 2.0,” the Johor Economic, Tourism & Cultural Office Singapore has invited Singapore travel trade, golf and media to visit Johor for an exploration tour of heritage, nature and resort destinations. This development could not have come at a better time since Johor is gearing up for its “Visit Johor 2026” tourism drive.

JETCO Connect 2.0 Takes Singapore Travel Trade into Johor

The new initiative centres on a familiarisation, or FAM, trip designed to introduce Singapore-based tourism professionals to Johor’s attractions.

Travel trade representatives, golf specialists and media are being taken through selected experiences across the state, creating a direct link between Singapore’s travel market and Johor’s tourism products.

And this is where the story gets interesting for travellers. Instead of keeping Johor as a quick cross-border stop, the initiative is placing more attention on multi-experience journeys covering heritage, nature, golf, resorts and leisure.

JETCO’s role is specifically focused on connecting Johor with stakeholders in Singapore and supporting tourism, cultural and economic collaboration between the two markets.

Desaru Coast Wants a Bigger Slice of Singapore Travel

Desaru Coast is emerging as one of the major beneficiaries of the new tourism push.

The destination combines beaches, luxury resorts, golf, dining, adventure activities and wellness experiences, making it suitable for short breaks as well as longer holidays. Its resort portfolio includes Anantara Desaru Coast Resort & Villas, The Westin Desaru Coast Resort, Hard Rock Hotel Desaru Coast and Mandarin Oriental, Desaru Coast.

The destination is also accessible from Singapore by both road and ferry.

Desaru Coast states that the journey from Singapore’s Woodlands Checkpoint takes about 1.5 hours by road, while Singapore Changi Airport is approximately two hours away. A ferry service operates from Tanah Merah Ferry Terminal to Desaru Coast Ferry Terminal, providing another cross-border travel option.

Road Trips from Singapore Get a New Tourism Angle

JETCO Connect 2.0 is also looking at ways to make road trips from Singapore to Desaru more convenient.

Stakeholders are developing new luxury transport routes and curated packages departing directly from Suntec City, Tampines and Jurong East towards Desaru Coast resorts.

That could give Singapore-based travellers another way to plan a weekend escape without building an itinerary around multiple transport connections.

The focus is not only on getting tourists across the border. It is about connecting departure points in Singapore directly with accommodation and experiences in Johor.

For Desaru Coast, that creates a more structured route into its resort ecosystem.

Heritage and Nature Join the Itinerary

While Desaru Coast provides the resort component, Johor’s wider tourism offer gives the FAM programme more depth.

Tourism Johor highlights the state’s combination of beaches, biodiversity, heritage and cultural attractions. Visitors can explore destinations ranging from Desaru and Kota Tinggi to national parks and historic sites across the state.

Desaru Fruit Farm in Kota Tinggi, for example, combines agriculture, tropical fruit experiences, family activities and nature tourism.

Johor’s broader tourism programme also includes attractions such as Endau-Rompin National Park, Tanjung Piai National Park and Legoland Malaysia, creating opportunities for different visitor segments.

Key Stats

• 12 million: Johor’s visitor target for Visit Johor 2026.
• RM42 billion: Targeted economic impact linked to Visit Johor 2026.
• 1.5 hours: Approximate road journey from Singapore Woodlands Checkpoint to Desaru Coast.
• 2 hours: Approximate travel time between Singapore Changi Airport and Desaru Coast.
• 3: Singapore departure hubs identified for proposed luxury road-trip packages: Suntec City, Tampines and Jurong East.
• 4: Major resort brands currently listed at Desaru Coast.

Travel Details for Singapore Visitors

Johor uses the Malaysian ringgit (MYR). Singapore visitors can enter Johor by road through the Singapore-Malaysia land crossings, while Desaru Coast also has a dedicated ferry terminal.

For air travel, Senai International Airport is the nearest major airport to Desaru Coast, at approximately one hour by road. Singapore Changi Airport provides another practical international gateway.

For travellers continuing beyond Johor Bahru, road transport remains particularly relevant because Desaru Coast is approximately 1.2 hours from Johor Bahru.

FAQ

1. What is JETCO Connect 2.0?
It is a Johor-Singapore tourism initiative designed to connect Singapore travel trade stakeholders with Johor’s tourism products and destinations.

2. How can travellers reach Desaru Coast from Singapore?
Travellers can use road transport from Singapore or ferry services from Tanah Merah Ferry Terminal to Desaru Coast Ferry Terminal.

3. What experiences can visitors find around Desaru?
Desaru Coast offers resorts, beaches, golf, dining, adventure and wellness, while nearby Johor attractions add nature, agriculture and cultural experiences.

Timeline and Events

2021: JETCO was incorporated in Singapore to strengthen economic, tourism and cultural links between Johor and Singapore.

2022: JETCO’s programme history records a Singapore-to-Desaru Coast FAM trip by ferry, showing that cross-border tourism familiarisation has been part of its work previously.

2026: Visit Johor 2026 is targeting 12 million tourists and more than RM42 billion in economic impact.

Conclusion

The JETCO Connect 2.0 programme is bringing more tourism attention to the Johor-Singapore border region, as Desaru Coast is considered a key short-stay holiday destination under this programme. Through connecting Singapore’s travel industry, point-of-departure points, and tourism attractions in Johor, a more defined tourism route is created, especially as the state is eyeing significant tourist growth by 2026.