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Free admission to next year’s NATAS fairs, rentals to fall

SINGAPORE — Admission to the two mega travel fairs held by the National Association of Travel Agents Singapore (NATAS) next year will be free — the first time since a fee was introduced in 1988.

NATAS today (Nov 27) announced a waiver on entrance fees to next year's NATAS travel fairs. TODAY File Photo

NATAS today (Nov 27) announced a waiver on entrance fees to next year's NATAS travel fairs. TODAY File Photo

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SINGAPORE — Admission to the two mega travel fairs held by the National Association of Travel Agents Singapore (NATAS) next year will be free — the first time since a fee was introduced in 1988.

Booth rentals for its exhibitors will also be reduced by about 18 to 22 per cent, which it hopes would mean better deals in terms of discounts for consumers, the association said yesterday.

The announcements come on the back of a boycott of NATAS’ March fair next year by 24 outbound travel agencies, over a lack of transparency in how NATAS used proceeds from the fairs, and the association’s refusal to lower booth rentals and admission fees for the twice-yearly fair.

The 24 agencies, which include industry heavyweights Chan Brothers Travel, CTC Travel, Dynasty Travel and SA Tours, also announced plans to hold a rival fair on the same dates — with free admission.

However, NATAS, at a press conference yesterday, insisted the decision to waive admission fees is to mark the Republic’s 50th year of independence next year. NATAS president Devinder Ohri said the association had previously announced it would cut its admission fee by 50 per cent to S$2 as part of SG50 celebrations.

Also, it had recognised “for some time now” the rising business costs, and members have said they were not closing as many sales. The changes will impact NATAS’ revenue next year, but the association had already set aside a budget for SG50 initiatives, Mr Ohri said.

As to whether free admission would continue after next year, Mr Ohri, who assumed presidency in May, said this would be reviewed. Some members feel that admission fees have benefits and help buyers and sellers conduct their business more efficiently, he said. “Let’s see how it impacts the attendance figures. We are not sure if that is going to (cause) a spike in visitor numbers ... and number of transactions (closed) or not.”

NATAS will also practise open balloting for its booth spaces, following comments from the agencies that their booth selection mechanics favoured larger exhibitors.

Shrugging off the pull-out of the 24 agencies — which were said to account for an estimated 80 per cent of the sales at previous fairs — Mr Ohri pointed out that NATAS has 467 members and more than 100 ­
exhibitors. He also said he had spoken to all these agencies and most were undecided on whether to cross over to the rival fair. “The chips are in the air, they haven’t fallen,” he said.

Addressing the issues raised by the agencies during a press conference on Tuesday — including NATAS’ alleged lack of transparency — Mr Ohri said the association is restricted from disclosing certain matters due to confidential or non-disclosure agreements, such as those signed with sponsors.

On where the proceeds from the fairs go, NATAS reiterated that money is needed for its activities and to maintain its secretariat.

Its chief operating officer Anita Tan added that it has been offering loyalty rebates to members since 2011, with about S$600,000 paid out so far.

NATAS plans to engage consultants to revamp its fairs, but changes would take time. Among other things, it is looking to make the two fairs it holds each year “markedly different” from each other. It will also make use of new media and engage bloggers to reach out to younger consumers.

Mr Ohri said NATAS fairs remain relevant. Its most recent fair in August drew 56,000 visitors — about 10 per cent fewer than the fair held in August last year. “Even though there was a slight decline, (the crowd size is) not an insignificant number,” he said.

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