Travel agencies slam NATAS for lack of transparency

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http://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/singapore/agencies-slam-natas-for/1493872.html

Dozens of travel agencies on Tuesday (Nov 25) lashed out at the National Association of Travel Agents Singapore (NATAS) for its lack of transparency over the usage of proceeds from its mega travel fairs and, among other things, its refusal to open the books, at a press conference attended by representatives of 24 tour agencies.

The agencies also charged that the association was exploiting its members by not reducing rental rates for the NATAS fair – an agency would need to pay between S$100,000 and S$200,000 to participate in the fair – despite declining sales over the years that they attributed partly to the lacklustre publicity for the twice-yearly event.

Responding to the charges, a NATAS spokesman said that although the cost of renting exhibition halls has steadily risen over the past three years, the association – which has been holding its travel fairs at Singapore Expo – has not passed on the increases to the exhibitors.

The Big Four travel agencies – Chan Brothers Travel, CTC Travel, Dynasty Travel and SA Tours – are pulling out of the NATAS fair on Mar 27 to 29 and holding a rival fair at Marina Bay Sands (MBS) on the same dates.

It was announced that 24 outbound travel agencies in total – including Nam Ho Travel, Farmosa Holidays, MISA Travel, Apple Holidays and New Shan Travel – will be crossing over to the new fair, tentatively called the Outbound Travel Fair.

In contrast to the NATAS fair which charges a S$4 entrance fee, admission to the rival trade show is free.

The agencies – which will continue to be NATAS members – have formed a working committee to organise the rival fair. They will return to the fold if the association addresses their grievances.