SINGAPORE: From summit-themed burgers and online scalpers peddling “World Peace” medallions and “Peace Out from Lion City” T-shirts, Singaporeans are cashing in on a historic meeting between US President Donald Trump and North Korea’s Kim Jong Un.



Howard, an Australian-Chinese impersonating North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, and Dennis Alan, who is impersonating US President Donald Trump, attend a commercial event to promote a seafood restaurant ahead of the June 12 meeting between the leaders in Singapore, June 9, 2018. REUTERS/Tyrone Siu

The buzz around the Trump-Kim summit on Tuesday has stirred Singaporeans’ entrepreneurial spirit and raised hopes of a tourism dividend long after the summit dust settles.



One person is trying to sell his weekend reservations at the Shangri-La Hotel, mentioned in media as the possible lodging of one of the leaders — at three times the price.



The Rocket Man Taco and the El Trumpo Taco is pictured at Lucha Loco, Singapore, June 8, 2018. REUTERS/Feline Lim

“It was for a personal ‘staycation’, but I reckon that because of the summit, people might actually offer to pay a higher price,” Joel Lin, who is asking for S$1,600 for each of two rooms he has booked, said by telephone.



A North Korean flag is seen alongside the US, China, and Singapore flags at the facade of the Fullerton Hotel, Singapore, June 8, 2018. AFP/Roslan Rahman

The Singapore Mint, which this week unveiled a commemorative medallion for the summit, later raised the mintage for the gold and silver medallions after an overwhelming response.



The Whisky Trump and The Rocket are pictured at the Empire Sky Lounge, Singapore, June 8, 2018. REUTERS/Feline Lim

At more than S$1,000 ($750) a piece for the gold version, and more than S$100 for the silver one, the issue could yield upwards of S$5 million if they are all sold.



Scalpers are preparing to sell the medallions they get in an online sale.

A bartender presents a pair of Donald Trump and Kim Jong Un cocktails called The Bromance at Hopheads Craft Beer Bar and Bistro, Singapore, June 8, 2018. REUTERS/Feline Lim

An Australian Kim impersonator, who goes by the name Howard X, has also been cashing in but said he got an unpleasant surprise on Friday when he was detained for questioning on arrival back in the country for a second time in two weeks.



He said he was allowed on his way after being told to stay away from summit venues.

Howard, an Australian-Chinese impersonating North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, and Dennis Alan, impersonating US President Donald Trump, meet at Merlion Park, Singapore, June 8, 2018. REUTERS/Edgar Su

A Singapore burger chain, Wolf Burgers, urged the two leaders to #settlethebeef and invited them to try its “Burger for World Peace”, with American sharp cheddar cheese and Korea’s marinated Bulgogi shabu brisket.



Mexican restaurant Lucha Loco is selling “Rocket Man” and “El Trumpo” tacos and guests stand a chance to smash Trump-Kim piñatas.

The "Cowboy Kimchi Burger" at a restaurant in Singapore, ahead of the summit between US President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un on June 12, June 6, 2018. AFP/Nicholas Yeo

Trump called Kim “little rocket man” last year when the two were exchanging threats of nuclear war and the prospect of a summit was nothing but a distant dream for even the most optimistic marketing man.



More than 3,000 journalists are due in town, along with delegations and security entourages.

A bowl of "Trump-Kim Chi" nasi lemak at a restaurant in Singapore, ahead of the summit between US President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un on June 12, June 6, 2018. AFP/Nicholas Yeo

Those who enjoy a tipple might seek out a bar offering cocktails featuring the Korean spirit soju. One bar has named its special summit drink — which mixes beer, tequila, diet Coke, and soju — the Bromance.



Singapore, which welcomed a record 17.4 million international visitors last year, is likely to see a bump, albeit small, in retail spending because of the summit.



South Korean peace group members hold peace signs during a rally to wish for peace and success at the upcoming summit between US President Donald Trump and North Korea’s leader Kim Jong Un, near the US embassy in Seoul on June 9, 2018. AFP/Jung Yeon-je 1

Every tourist to Singapore spends an average of three-and-a-half days and contributes about S$1,500 to overall tourism receipts, said brokerage CGS-CIMB.



Assuming a seven-day stay and about 4,000 people coming for the event, a CGS-CIMB analyst estimated they could spend about S$12 million ($9 million).

A "R.W.B", or red, white and blue, commemorative dish, created by Sardinian chef Simone Depalmas, is seen at a restaurant in Singapore, June 7, 2018, ahead of the summit between US President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un on June 12. AFP/Nicholas Yeo 1

That’s a drop in the bucket in the short-term — the Singapore Tourism Board has forecast tourism receipts of between S$27.1 billion ($20.3 billion) and S$27.6 billion this year.



But a glitch-free summit will increase the chances of more big-ticket events.



A man takes a photograph of a poster offering a "Trump-Kim Chi" nasi lemak, a popular local dish, outside a restaurant in Singapore, ahead of the summit between US President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un on June 12, June 6, 2018. AFP/Nicholas Yeo

“As with all high-profile visits, it places Singapore on the map for international audiences and showcases Singapore as an ideal destination, especially for business and meetings,” said Oliver Chong, executive director of communications and marketing capability at the tourism board.



($1 = 1.3330 Singapore dollars)