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Official Newsletter of NATAS MAY-JUL 2015 • ISSUE 36 www.natas.travel Trav news Raising the bar at the NATAS AGM Exploring Singapore’s first UNESCO World Heritage Site: Singapore Botanic Gardens Uncovering the wonders of Oman

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Offi cial Newsletter of NATAS

MAY-JUL 2015 • ISSUE 36www.natas.travelTravnews

Raising the bar at the NATAS AGM

Exploring Singapore’s fi rst UNESCO World Heritage Site: Singapore Botanic Gardens

Uncovering the wonders of Oman

02 May - Jul 2015

03May - Jul 2015

Contents

Editorial TeamEditor/Advertising Sales & Sponsorship Julia Chang ([email protected])

NATAS Travnews is the offi cial publication of the National

Association of Travel Agents Singapore and copies of

Travnews are not for sale. Reproduction in whole or part

without written permission is not allowed. Articles published

in NATAS Travnews are the opinion of the authors. The views

expressed do not necessarily refl ect the views and opinions of

NATAS or the Publisher.

National Association of Travel Agents Singapore

120 Lower Delta Road, #03-16 Cendex Centre

Singapore 169208

Tel: (65) 6534 0187 | Fax: (65) 6534 4726

Email: [email protected] | Website: www.natas.travel

MCI (P) 167/06/2015

Date of Expiry: 29/06/2016

Designed by Prime Creatif Pte Ltd

NATAS Events

04

06

07

08

CAG Updates

Singapore Botanic Gardens -

Singapore’s First UNESCO World

Heritage Site

NATAS signs MoU with GfK

China International Travel Mart 2015

NATAS 36th Annual General Meeting

Ushering in the new; bidding farewell

to the old

Word on the Street

The Association’s Pick

10 Uncovering the psyche of the

Singapore traveller

Food for Thought

Association Updates

14 Contact Details Update

Membership Update

Calendar of Events

Say Hello to Our New Members!

12 Oman: the Gulf’s secret gem

Featured Destination

To subscribe, please send an email with your name,

designation and company to [email protected]

For comments and feedback, please email

[email protected]

To download a soft copy of Travnews, please visit the

NATAS media centre at http://www.natas.travel/

Home/MediaCenter.aspx?subid=9

If you would like to advertise in Travnews, please

send an email to [email protected], and refer

to the rates below:

Advertisement Size

Members Rate

Non-Members Rate

Double page 1800 2300

Full back page 1500 1800

Full inside front cover 1300 1600

Full inside back cover 1200 1500

Full Page 800 1000

Half Page 600 700

Quarter Page 400 500

Rates are correct as of 31 March 2015 and are subject to change

04 May - Jul 2015

NATAS Events

NATAS 36TH ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

It was an exciting day on 21 May 2015 as

members gathered at Marina Mandarin’s

Taurus Room for the 36th NATAS Annual

General Meeting (AGM). A total of 135

Ordinary Members and 25 Associate

Members came together to discuss the

Association’s concerns.

NATAS president Mr Devinder Ohri took

the opportunity to address some of the

more pressing concerns and on-the-

ground feedback that the NATAS Executive

Committee (EXCO) has been receiving.

He assured members that the EXCO has

implemented long-term measures to

resolve these issues.

The AGM also highlighted new off erings

at Tourism Management Institute of

Singapore (TMIS), NATAS’ training arm.

As of 21 May 2015, there are nine new

courses, bringing the total number of

courses from 21 last year to 30 in 2015. The

new courses that have been introduced

include ‘IATA Social Media for the Travel

Industry’, ‘WSQ Diploma in Attractions’,

‘Tourist Guide Professional Development

Course – Feng Shui’ and ‘IATA Foundation

in Travel & Tourism Diploma’, which has

been endorsed by the United Federation

of Travel Agents’ Association (UFTAA).

There are still seven more new courses in

the pipeline. These courses, which will be

introduced in due course, feature topics

such as ‘Facebook Success Marketing Series’,

how to manage feedback the right way

and professional business writing, among

others. With these new off erings, travel

agents can upgrade their skills, service

and productivity, leaving them primed to

capitalise on new trends in the industry in

future.

Promoting camaraderie and establishing

close ties among the fraternity remained

important items on the Association’s

agenda. Mr Ohri assured members that

the committee will continue to organise

activities and projects that have been

popular among the members, such as

05May - Jul 2015

NATAS Events

USHERING IN THE NEW; BIDDING FAREWELL TO THE OLD

The last few months have been a time of

renewal for both NATAS and its training

arm, Tourism Management Institute of

Singapore (TMIS).

NATAS is pleased to welcome two new

Executive Committee members, Secretary-

General Mr Simon Er and Chairman-

Outbound Mr Steven Ler. Mr Er is the

General Manager of Business Events for

DMC, Tours of Global Travel Pte Ltd and

Scenic Travel Limited while Mr Ler is the

Executive Director of UOB Travel Planners.

Over at TMIS, Mr Yap Puay Beng took up

his new position as TMIS’ new Executive

Director on 18 May 2015. “I’ve always

believed that training is an integral and

critical component of our industry,” he said.

“Together with NATAS, we will ensure that

TMIS remains highly relevant to members

and prospective travel professionals.”

Expressing similar sentiments, Mr Devinder

Ohri, President of NATAS said: “These are

exciting times for the Association and its

training arm. Both Steven and Puay Beng

are highly accomplished talents from the

travel industry. I am confi dent in their

abilities to take NATAS and TMIS to new and

greater heights.”

At the same time, we would like to express

our heartfelt appreciation for those who are

leaving us – Mr Ram Samtani has served

NATAS with great dedication as a member

in the IT Committee from 2005 to 2008,

and as a Secretary General and Chairman

of Member Aff airs Committee from 2008

till 30 June 2015; Ms Anita Tan, NATAS’

incumbent Chief Operating Offi cer (COO)

and Ms Patricia Auyeong, TMIS’ incumbent

Chief Executive Offi cer (CEO). Thank you for

your dedication, hard work and valuable

contributions to NATAS!

golf and bowling tournaments. Moving

forward, the EXCO has its eye on several

key projects, namely the upcoming NATAS

travel fair and future fairs, as well as a review

and potential revamp of the Association’s

constitution and code of ethics.

In closing, Mr Ohri emphasised that the

Association is for everyone. Each and every

member has a role to play and everyone is

free to voice their opinions. He encouraged

those with valid concerns to come forward

and share their views. It is his sincere and

ardent hope that members will continue to

support NATAS in the days to come.

06 May - Jul 2015

NATAS SIGNS MOU WITH GFK

China International Travel Mart 2015NATAS is proud to announce that we will

be organising a Singapore Pavilion at the

China International Travel Mart (CITM) 2015,

to be held from 13–15 November 2015. This

year, the travel mart will take place at the

Kunming Dianchi International Convention

and Exhibition Centre in Kunming, China.

As the largest professional travel mart

in Asia, CITM attracts the attention and

attendance of the tourism industry

worldwide. Participants include

international and domestic tourist

organisations, travel agencies, airlines,

hotels and travel-related companies.

Stringent participation conditions and

invitation procedures guarantee the quality

of buyers, thereby ensuring greatest benefi t

for participants. Exclusive trade days are

catered to ensure maximum value for

registered participants.

NATAS Events

Jointly organised by China National Tourism Administration, Shanghai Municipal People’s

Government and Civil Administration of China, CITM has seen success at every show

annually.

We invite interested parties to contact Ms Amy Kong or Ms Julia Chang at [email protected].

NATAS has partnered GfK, one of the world’s leading market insights

companies, in the provision of dynamic travel-related insights for

the Singapore tourism sector. Under this agreement, participating

companies will provide GfK with live booking data on a weekly

basis, which will be used for the specialised Gfk TravelScan Report.

GfK will then analyse the consolidated and aggregated industry

Singapore Pavilion at CITM Kunming in 2013. Co-organised by CAG and NATAS.

booking data to produce a set of predictive analytics that will enable

travel agents to refi ne their retail strategies.

In light of similar partnerships being established in Europe, the

Gfk TravelScan is increasingly being accepted as the market current

for tourism research. NATAS’ participation will serve to encourage

even more of its members to sign up.

“Market data in the travel industry is often very fragmented with

no real comparative way of measurement,” said Ang Eu Khoon,

Chairman for Information Technology of NATAS. “This collaboration

with GfK to convert the massive amount of available booking

data into relevant market insights that are easy to understand will

defi nitely help our members understand the travel industry better

and help advance it to the next level in a rapidly changing business

environment.”

To date, over 20 travel agent members have signed up for GfK

TravelScan.”

07May - Jul 2015

Word on the Street

In what is the largest strategic collaboration

to date, Changi Airport Group (CAG),

Singapore Airlines (SIA) and Singapore

Tourism Board (STB) have signed a two-year

partnership to jointly invest $20 million

to strengthen tourism in Singapore. The

three partners will work in unison to deliver

an enhanced Singapore experience and

promote the city-state as a destination

of choice to leisure, business and MICE

audiences in more than 15 markets

worldwide.

“One of the key initiatives in this

collaboration is developing and enhancing

joint programmes that will contribute

towards strengthening the global

mindshare and perceptions of both

Singapore and Changi Airport,” said Mr Lee

Seow Hiang, Chief Executive Offi cer, CAG.

“We look forward to working together

to leverage our collective strengths and

insights, and to amplify our eff orts to

promote the Singapore experience.”

CAG Updates

A new programme introduced under this

partnership is the Singapore Stopover

Premium package. A new and improved

version of the Singapore Stopover Holiday,

the package is the latest in ongoing

eff orts to curate unique and distinctive

experiences for travellers so that they can

better enjoy Singapore as a destination.

The package is targeted at both premium

leisure and business travellers and includes

stays in selected fi ve-star hotels with

breakfast and Wi-Fi, priority hotel check-

in services and private transfers, among

others.

In line with its mission to deliver a more

in-depth experience of Singapore beyond

Changi Airport, the partnership also

features the enhanced Free Singapore Tour.

The Free Singapore Tour has always been

a crowd favourite. Transit passengers who

sign up for it are treated to a free guided

tour of Singapore’s iconic and heritage

attractions and stunning city skyline. In

the newly revamped tour, participants can

enjoy additional timings, longer itineraries

that cover a greater number of tourist

spots and photo-taking opportunities, and

seasonal editions during festive periods.

“Our airline and airport are integral parts of

the Singapore experience,” said Mr Lionel

Yeo, Chief Executive Offi cer, STB. “The new

product off erings demonstrate SIA, CAG

and STB’s commitment to provide today’s

discerning travellers with a more seamless

and in-depth experience. To constantly

refresh and add value to the visitor

experience, it is essential for the industry to

rally together.”

With strong partnerships, and new and

upcoming developments, Changi Airport

looks set for a brighter future ahead!

Image credits: Changi Airport Group

08 May - Jul 2015

With its lush greenery, stunning sculptures

and exotic fl owers, the 156-year-old

Singapore Botanic Gardens has long been

drawing praise and admiration from visitors

both near and far for its beautiful green

landscapes. Thanks to the 21 members

at the recently concluded 39th World

Heritage Committee meeting held in Bonn,

Germany on 4 July 2015, this historical

landmark can add another accolade to its

name – a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

This milestone event is indeed a fi tting gift

for Singapore’s jubilee year. Even as we

celebrate 50 years of independence, we

commemorate the nation’s very fi rst World

Heritage Site. The receipt of this prestigious

and coveted status makes the Singapore

Botanic Gardens the fi rst and only tropical

botanic garden on the UNESCO’s World

Heritage List. It is also the fi rst in Asia and

the third botanic garden in the world to

be inscribed, following Orto Notanico di

Padova (Padua) and Kew Gardens (London).

In fact, the Singapore Botanic Gardens has

taken a leaf from Kew Gardens’ books. Our

botanists received their training in Kew

before charting the growth of our Gardens

into an important botanical institute. We

also received 22 para rubber seedlings

from Kew, where the seeds that had been

smuggled from Brazil fi rst germinated.

This is extremely signifi cant as para rubber

became a major crop that brought great

prosperity to the Southeast Asian region.

Today, the Singapore Botanic Gardens

is valued for having two outstanding

qualities – the instrumental role it played

in the rubber trade, which transformed the

region in the 1900s, and its unique tropical

colonial gardens landscapes.

SINGAPORE BOTANIC GARDENSSingapore’s First UNESCO World Heritage Site

The Association’s Pick

09May - Jul 2015

To help visitors better appreciate this

lush sanctuary, the Gardens have been

developed along a three-core concept:

Tanglin, the heritage core that retains the

old favourites and charms of the historic

Gardens; Central, includes the specialty

gardens and visitor amenities; and Bukit

Timah, which includes the educational

and discovery zone as well as spaces for

recreation. Adding to the allure of each

core are hidden pockets of nature waiting

to be discovered.

At the Tanglin Core lies the iconic

bandstand, Swan Lake, Bonsai Garden,

Sun Garden, Botany Centre, and A Curtain

of Roots, among others. Visitors can

also marvel at the beauty of Singapore’s

national fl ower Vanda Miss Joaquim.

Adapted from http://retiredowhat.com/

Over at the Central Core is the National

Orchid Garden, which houses over 1,000

species and 2,000 orchid hybrids. Also pay a

visit to the Celebrity Orchid Garden, which,

as its name suggests, is home to orchids

that have been named after celebrities who

have made signifi cant contributions to the

society.

With such gorgeous blooms, it’s little

wonder that the Singapore Botanic

Gardens is a hotspot for wedding couples

looking to take the perfect wedding shot.

On weekends, picnic mats dot the grounds

of the Gardens as families and friends

gather to bask in the tranquillity of this lush

sanctuary.

So why not head down to the Singapore

Botanic Gardens today and celebrate the

rich botanical and cultural heritage of

Singapore’s own UNESCO World Heritage

Site.

The Association’s Pick

Image credits: Singapore Tourism Board

Mention the Singapore Botanic

Gardens and what comes to mind

are stunning orchids, beautifully

landscaped grounds and lush

greenery. But here’s a little known

fact – the Gardens are also home to

what might be the largest and oldest

orchid plant in the world!

Spanning almost 5m in diameter,

this gorgeous tiger orchid has been

growing in the same spot at the

intersection near the Curtain of Roots

for the past 154 years. The plant’s

astonishing history was unexpectedly

The largest and oldest orchid plant in the world!discovered by the Gardens’ director Dr

Nigel Taylor when he was preparing for

the site’s UNESCO bid. From archival

material, it seems that this amazing

specimen was planted as early as 1861.

What’s even more astounding is that

Dr Taylor believes that another large tiger

orchid growing on one of the Gardens’

heritage trees is its daughter.

Given the orchid’s symbolism to Singapore

as a nation, it is indeed an honour that we

have the oldest living specimen.

The tiger orchid plant near the Curtain of Roots

Walk is the same as the one in a postcard printed

in the 1920s (above). PHOTO: National Parks Board

PHOTO: Rodda Michele Luigi, NParks

10 May - Jul 2015

Food for Thought

UNCOVERING THE PSYCHE OF THE SINGAPORE TRAVELLER

Majority of travelers book their holidays wjust a few weeks in advance

Sources used to gather required travel information

Travel Booking ChannelsOnly one in ten still book from traditional

brick-and-mortar agencies

Making travel plans

When it comes to travelling, Singaporeans

seem to be pretty spontaneous. It doesn’t

take long for them to decide on a break,

do their research and pack their bags.

The report showed that the majority of

Singaporean travellers – around 76 per cent

– are short-term planners, booking their

holidays only a month ahead of the actual

travel date. To capitalise on this trend, travel

agents can conduct fl ash sales.

Over the years, we have witnessed an upward trend of outbound departures made by Singaporeans. As these fi gures continue

to grow, we need to explore the psyche of the Singapore traveller to fi nd out what makes them tick – from their booking

preferences to their top destination spots. With this in mind, we have highlighted some characteristics of the Singapore traveller

from the GfK Consumer Travel Tracker Research. The report, a collaboration between Natas and GfK, one of the world’s leading

marketing insights company, is aimed at producing travel-related insights and predicting future market developments.

Conducted in Singapore from April to May 2014, the study looked at tracked outbound travel data from pre-booking right

through the transaction stage from a sample size of 500 respondents who had made a travel booking in the last three months.

Travel agents used to be the be-all and

end-all for holiday makers looking to

obtain information on travel destinations.

Nowadays, with the Internet, they rank

pretty low on the list as the go-to source

for travel. The Singapore traveller tends

to turn to their family and friends for

recommendations or scour the Internet for

travel ideas and research.

The same trend plays out when it comes to

booking for their holidays.

10%

2%

21%

27%

43%

travel agents

travel operators

transport companies

travel booking sites

accommodation sites

To reconnect with the target audience,

travel agents need to ramp up their

online marketing activities. Deliver value

to your customers by emphasising your

knowledge and expertise in curating

distinctive vacation packages. It’s bound

to pull in those holidaymakers looking

for personalised and authentic travel

experiences.

11May - Jul 2015

Food for Thought

Deciding on the destination

According to the fi gures, a total of 80 per cent of Singaporean holidaymakers prefer to stick

close to home and jet set within Asia. Southeast Asia (SEA) is a particular favourite, with

visitors tending to zero in on Thailand, Malaysia or Indonesia. These countries make up more

than half of the Southeast Asian pie. Greater China is a close second.

Judging by these numbers, it’s clear that there is still great opportunity in the SEA market.

Travel agents can capitalise on this trend by creating new or more SEA tour packages or

refi ning their existing ones.

Travel Destinations

Thailand

Malaysia

Indonesia

Others*Others - Philippines, Vietnam, Cambodia,

Laos, Myanmar 14%

22%

31%

33%

SE Asia 46% NE Asia 16%

Greater China 29%

ANZ 7%S Asia 2%

OverseasHoliday

Destination

Planning the itinerary

Upon reaching their destination, the

Singapore traveller is pretty much the

typical tourist. More than half of the

respondents surveyed replied that they are

inclined to visit either the local attractions

or a city or large towns when abroad.

Only 1 in 10 opted to relax by the beach

while 25 per cent said that they would

hang out with friends or attend cultural or

sporting events. However, it is worth noting

that this set of behaviour seems to be

particularly evident only in holidaymakers

on destination-driven trips.

Understanding the Singapore traveller

In sum, the Singapore traveller is prone to going on short breaks around the SEA region. Given our Internet-savvy population, it’s no surprise

that we tend to go online to research and book our holidays rather than employ the services of a physical agent. To capitalise on these trends,

travel agents need to boost their online marketing activities substantially and concentrate their eff orts on conceptualising packages that are

unique, distinctive and focussed on the SEA region.

* Others – Visiting a winter sport resort, visiting friends or relatives, adventurous activities such as canoeing/rafting/climbing/hiking, visiting a sporting event or visiting a cultural event.

30% visiting city or large town

26% others

34% visiting local attractions

10% visiting a beach

Travel Activities

12 May - Jul 2015

Featured Destination

OMANt he G ulf’s secret gem t he G ulf’s secret gem

From soaking up history in the country’s

well-preserved forts, watching a

spellbinding sunset atop a dune of

the coppery desert to bedding down

– Bedouin style – in the open desert

beneath a canopy of stars, Oman

off ers up a host of extraordinary travel

experiences for the intrepid explorer.

But it’s not all sparsely populated

beautiful vistas. Despite a history that

dates back to more than 10,000 years

ago, Oman has an unending capacity to

embrace the modern world. City lovers

will be enticed by its beguiling capital of

Muscat, as well as its burgeoning cities of

Solalah and Sohar.

Mad for Muscat

History buff s would not want to miss out

on Muscat’s Grand Mosque. A glorious

piece of architecture, the mosque

represents a gift from Sultan Qaboos to

mark the 30th year of his reign. It has

a capacity for 20,000 worshippers and

features a breathtakingly rich, hand-

loomed carpet. Measuring 70m by 60m

wide, the beautiful carpet took 600

women four years to weave and once

held the status of the world’s largest rug.

For a truly authentic experience, head for

the Mutrah Souq. Take a moment to soak

in the chaotic atmosphere as shoppers

bargain over frankincense, jewellery

and food, and you can almost imagine

yourself being transported to the

traditional Arabian markets of old. Walk

around the Muttrah neighbourhood

and discover the patchwork of cultures

that make up the city – Omani, India

and Pakistani, with a dash of Zanzibari,

Baluchi and Iranian – a living memory of

the city’s cosmopolitan past. Intrigued

to uncover more of Oman’s history?

Travel to the nearby quarter of Old

Grand Mosque

Mutrah Souq

13May - Jul 2015

Featured Destination

Muscat, which is spread out along the

seafront. Lined with ancient Portuguese

forts, colourful mosques and a variety of

traditional Arabic buildings, these places

perfectly evoke Muscat’s bygone era.

If you’re in the mood for a more

contemporary tourist attraction, then

look no further than the Royal Opera

House. Completed in 2011, the opera

house has transformed into the cultural

heart of Muscat. Be entertained by

its diverse and exciting lineup of

programmes, from opera to ballet and

Islamic and Arabic musical fare.

For the thrill seekers

If adventure is what you’re looking for,

then make arrangements for a day trip

to the Wadi Shab, a few hours’ drive

from Muscat. Wadi Shab is a valley or

gorge that has been carved out as a

result of erosion over thousands of

years. It is home to huge rock boulders,

cliff s, waterfalls and beautiful emerald

green rock pools. You’ll have loads of

fun scrambling over and under rocks,

climbing up mini waterfalls and wading

through streams. At the end of the trek, a

cool grotto awaits in the form of a water-

fi lled cave. The trail might not be the

easiest but for those who persist, you’ll

be rewarded with an experience like no

other.

Becoming Bedouins

Covering about 12,500 sq km of Eastern

Oman, the Sharqiya (Wahiba) Sands is

defi nitely a must-see. From camel races,

sandboarding, dune-bashing, quad-

biking, horse riding and trekking to just

simply sitting down atop a dune to

watch a spellbinding display of the sun

setting, the desert is guaranteed to keep

you occupied for hours on end.

It is also the traditional home of the

Bedouins. Spend a night or two in one

of the handful of desert camps in the

north and get a chance to interact

with Bedouin women. It’s a once-in-a-

lifetime opportunity to get a glimpse

of a traditional way of life that is fast

disappearing.

With a plethora of things to do and

wondrous sights to witness, Oman is

defi nitely a location that deserves to

be at the top of your bucket list. From

adventure-seekers to culture and history

buff s – there’s something for everyone.

Muscat

Sharqiya Sands

Royal Opera House

Wadi Shab

14 May - Jul 2015

WISHING A WARM WELCOME TO OUR NEW MEMBERS!

NATAS welcomes the following companies as new members.

Azza Travel & Tours Pte Ltd

Azza Travel & Tours Pte Ltd is a travel operator off ering international and Muslim tours. Working hand-in-hand with

various counterparts in Asia, Europe and the Middle East, the company provides a comprehensive range of travel

services and land arrangements to provide their clients with a memorable experience.

Mount Faber Leisure Group Pte Ltd

Mount Faber Leisure Group Pte Ltd is a wholly owned subsidiary of Sentosa Development Corporation, and manages

Faber Peak Singapore and the Singapore Cable Car Sky Network. Its key businesses comprise attractions and event

management, guided tour experiences, coach services, souvenirs and lifestyle merchandise as well as alfresco dining.

Sohu Travel Pte Ltd

Sohu Travel Pte Ltd specialises in providing custom vacations to the world’s most remarkable destinations. With a

long-term commitment to delivering top-notch service, the company prides itself on delivering distinctly tailored

itineraries to provide its customers with their dream travel experience.

Tripanzee.Com Pte Ltd

Tripanzee.Com Pte Ltd is a vertically integrated online travel and social media platform that was founded by a group

of experienced hospitality and travel professionals. Incorporating social media, group trip planning and collaboration

elements, it facilitates the ease of searching for free-and-easy deals or packages based on travel preferences for a fun

and hassle-free experience.

Trust One Travel (SIN) Pte Ltd

Trust One Travel (SIN) Pte Ltd is an established travel agency specialising in Asia. The company off ers inbound and

outbound tourist services including Singapore land tours, visa application, air ticketing reservation, MICE and free-

and-easy packages.

NATAS Executive Committee 2014/2016

Mr Devinder OhriPresident

Mr Chung Kek YoongDeputy President

Mr Simon ErSecretary-General

Mr Allen TsangHonorary Treasurer

Ms Judy LumChairman – Inbound

Mr Steven LerChairman – Outbound

Mr Albert HoChairman – Air Transport

Mr Chew Chong ChoonChairman – Surface Transport

Mr Ang Eu KhoonChairman – Information Technology

Ms Fiona LimChairman – Manpower & Training

Ms Ong Ling Lee

STB Representative

Mr Yap Puay Beng

TMIS

NATAS Secretariat

Mr Steven Lek

Executive Director

[email protected]

Wendy Tan

Senior Manager

(Events)

[email protected]

Julia Chang

Senior Manager

(Industry & Membership)

[email protected]

Nicholas Yap

Manager

(Industry Development & Membership)

[email protected]

Judy Kueh

Manager

(Finance, Admin & HR)

[email protected]

Magdalene Lim

Assistant Manager

(Events)

[email protected]

Amy Kong

Assistant Manager

(Industry Aff airs & Membership)

Keely Tan

Offi cer

(Admin & Membership)

[email protected]

CONTACT DETAILS UPDATE

Association Updates

The total number of NATAS members as at 7 July 2015 – 435 members.Ordinary Members: 354 members Associate Members: 76 members Honorary Life Members: 5 members

OF EVENTSCALENDARChina International Travel Mart Kunming Dianchi International Convention & Exhibition CentreKunming, China

1315nov

MEMBERSHIP The following new members were approved:

Company Classifi cation Approval Date

Trust One Travel (SIN) Pte Ltd IB & OB 01/04/2015

Azza Travel & Tours Pte Ltd OB 02/04/2015

Tripanzee.Com Pte Ltd IB, OB, AT & STO 02/04/2015

Mount Faber Leisure Group Pte Ltd IB, AT & STO 29/04/2015

Sohu Travel Pte Ltd IB, OB, AT & STO 27/05/2015

Malindo Airways Associate 29/04/2015

Air New Zealand Associate 29/04/2015

Photobook Express Associate 30/06/2015

Planet Travel Pte LtdBlk 926 Yishun Central 1 #01-175 Singapore 760926

Sindar Travel Pte Ltd336 Smith Street #06-301 New Bridge CentreSingapore 050336

Aviation Services Pte Ltd400 Orchard Road #24-08 / #25-04 Orchard TowersSingapore 238875

Prime Express Travel Pte Ltd133 New Bridge Road #08-01 Chinatown PointSingapore 059413

Vacation Planners Pte Ltd400 Orchard Road #09-01 Orchard TowersSingapore 238875

Mandarin Tour Pte Ltd120 Lower Delta Rd #09-07 Cendex Centre Singapore 169208

Wanhe International Pte LtdWestgate Tower 1 Gateway Drive #17-03Singapore 608531

Expedia Singapore Pte Ltd.38 Beach Road #09-11 South Beach Tower Singapore 189767

Hongda Holidays Pte Ltd200 Jalan Sultan #02-43B Textile CentreSingapore 199018

Wai Travel Pte Ltd101 Kitchener Road #03-33 Jalan Besar PlazaSingapore 208511

Griffi n Travel Pte Ltd now known as ATPI (Singapore) Pte Ltd

Hutchison-Priceline (HK) Limited – Singapore Branch now known as Hutchison Travel (HK) Limited – Singapore Branch

... for all the right reasons.

^Disruption Benefits–Unused Entertainment Tickets/ Frequent

Flyer Points (Section 37)

^Covers Replacement Cost of Lost Travel

Documents (Section 26)

^Reimburses Emergency Telephone Charges incurred

Overseas (Section 13)

Covers Leisure Amateur Sports

^Fraudulent Credit Card Usage (Section 22)

^Covers in the event of Natural Disasters

24-Hr Medical Assistance

^Unlimited Emergency Medical Evacuation

(Section 7)

^Overseas Medical Expenses coverage up to S$2,000,000 (Section 1)

Covers All Ages ^Covers Loss/ Delay of Baggage

(Section 23, 25)

Pays from theFirst Dollar

Travel Guard® is underwritten by AIG Asia Pacific Insurance Pte. Ltd. ^Terms & conditions apply.

Approved & supported by

To find out more, please visit AIG.com.sg

TravNews-A4.ai 1 19/6/14 2:37 pm