Singapore has launched a state-backed tourism campaign inviting single Americans to ditch dating apps and try human-led matchmaking, where so-called “aunties” rather than algorithms choose their first dates. The initiative, called “Aunties, Not Algorithms,” was launched by the Singapore Tourism Board and targets US residents aged 21 and above who are frustrated with modern app dating. Two selected participants will be matched on a blind date in Singapore, including flights, accommodation and a carefully curated itinerary. The campaign blends tourism promotion with dating culture, showcasing Singapore as a destination built around relationships, food and shared experiences.
How Singapore’s new matchmaking campaign works
Interested singles must submit an online application that includes personal details and a short video explaining why they should be selected. Instead of using software or data-driven matching, applications are reviewed manually by a team of “aunties.” After evaluating the entries, a panel of judges will select two individuals and match them for a first date in Singapore. The process is designed to emphasize intuition, personality and cultural compatibility rather than algorithms.The matchmaking team consists of comedian Atsuko Okatsuka, astrologer and professional matchmaker Alyssa Kelly and Singaporean actor Tan Keng Hwa. In Singapore and much of Asia, the term “aunty” is commonly used to describe older women who play an informal advisory role in families and communities, often providing guidance on relationships, career and life decisions. In this event, the aunts strictly acted as matchmakers and mentors.
What do winners receive?
The selected two will be flown to Singapore and stay for four nights. Prizes include return flights, hotel accommodations and an “aunty-approved” itinerary designed to serve as a first date experience. Activities include Singapore cooking classes led by Michelin-starred chefs, as well as curated food, cultural and sightseeing experiences designed to showcase the city’s culinary heritage and urban lifestyle.
Who can apply and key dates
This event is open to single Americans 21 years of age or older who are legal residents of the United States. Applicants must submit their entries by March 13, 2026, after which a panel of judges will review the submissions and select the final entry. The tourism board said the event is limited to a matched couple.
Resolve online misunderstandings
After the campaign was launched, some social media posts falsely suggested that Singapore was encouraging Americans to date older local women or promoting a so-called “passport bro” culture. Media reports and official statements have clarified that the aunts are not romantic participants but act as matchmakers, guiding the matching process and itinerary.
part of a wider tourism strategy
The initiative is in line with Singapore’s wider tourism strategy, which increasingly leverages pop culture, lifestyle content and experiential activities to attract visitors. In recent years, the tourism board has collaborated with global artists and productions to feature Singapore in music videos and entertainment projects, leveraging culture-led storytelling to enhance international appeal.
The history of state involvement in matchmaking
Government-backed matchmaking is not new in Singapore. In 1984, concerned about falling birth rates, the government established a social development department to encourage social interaction and marriage. While that initiative focused on domestic demographics, the current campaign takes a lighter, more playful approach, using matchmaking as a creative tool to promote tourism and cultural exchange rather than long-term social policy.
