SINGAPORE: It is exactly one month to the World Cup, which takes place from June 12 to July 13, and travel agents are seeing more bookings to Brazil.

However, the three-fold increase, compared to the same period last year, is seen in travellers going after the World Cup.

As to why, many travel agents point to hotel room rates going up by almost 10 times, and airfares by about 15 to 30 per cent.

They also say that demand to catch the matches in Brazil is not as high as in previous World Cups, especially when compared to when South Korea and Japan were hosts in 2002.

"The distance to Brazil is almost 20 hours via flight, which means you actually need about three days of flying in and out of the country, said Alicia Seah, director of marketing communications at Dynasty Travel.

Secondly, it's the high costs. The tour package to watch the world cup this year is about S$10,000 to S$15,000 per person which includes air tickets, four nights accommodation plus the match tickets."

But World Cup fever has clearly got newly-weds Simon Tam and Serena Tay hooked.

The two football fans held a football match for friends at the floating platform at Marina Bay as part of their pre-wedding festivities.

In addition, they will leave for their honeymoon next month -- a 23-day-long trip which includes a stop in Rio de Janeiro for a second round match.

"It is more expensive than the usual trips, like if you go to Europe or Japan or New Zealand, said Serena Tay, who is an asset manager.

Read more:

More S'poreans heading to Brazil, but after World Cup