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NATAS shifts dates to avoid clash with breakaway group

SINGAPORE — With the stakes mounting by the day, the National Association of Travel Agents Singapore (NATAS) blinked first in its stand-off with a breakaway group of travel agencies: It has shifted the dates of its mega travel fair to avoid a head-on clash with the rival trade show organised by the 24 companies — including several industry heavyweights — only days after its president shrugged off the impact of the pull-out.

NATAS president Devinder Ohri played down the impact of the pull-out, pointing out that the association has 
467 members 
and more than 
100 exhibitors. 
PHOTO: Geneieve Teo

NATAS president Devinder Ohri played down the impact of the pull-out, pointing out that the association has
467 members
and more than
100 exhibitors.
PHOTO: Geneieve Teo

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SINGAPORE — With the stakes mounting by the day, the National Association of Travel Agents Singapore (NATAS) blinked first in its stand-off with a breakaway group of travel agencies: It has shifted the dates of its mega travel fair to avoid a head-on clash with the rival trade show organised by the 24 companies — including several industry heavyweights — only days after its president shrugged off the impact of the pull-out.

In a circular dated Monday — a copy of which was seen by TODAY — the association said the dates of its fair next year will be brought forward to between March 6 and 8 at the Sing­apore Expo, instead of the original dates of March 27 to 29.

The circular was signed by 
NATAS acting chief executive Patricia Auyeong and distributed to NATAS members and other industry players.

It said: “NATAS members may be aware that we have been continually working towards a single fair in March 2015. Regrettably, despite significant adjustments by NATAS, the other party is proceeding to organise their own fair.” On the new dates, it pointed out that the NATAS fair will be held “immediately after the 15th day of Chinese New Year and the weekend just before the March school holidays”.

“This opens the window for last-minute school holiday tour bookings,” the circular added.

When contacted, a NATAS spokesman confirmed the veracity of the circular. He added that the association will hold a media conference soon.

Last Thursday, NATAS held a press conference to respond to an announcement two days earlier by the 24 agencies, including the industry’s Big Four — Chan Brothers Travel, CTC Travel, Dynasty Travel and SA Tours — that they will organise a rival free-admission fair, called the Outbound Travel Fair, at Marina Bay Sands on the same dates as the NATAS fair in March. At the press conference, NATAS said admission to its two travel fairs next year will be free — the first time since a fee was introduced in 1988.

NATAS insisted that the move was not in response to the breakaway group, which was said to account for an estimated 80 per cent of the sales at previous fairs, but was done to commemorate Singapore’s 50 years of independence next year. Booth rentals for its exhibitors will also be cut.

Nevertheless, NATAS president Devinder Ohri played down the impact of the pull-out, pointing out that the association has 467 members and more than 100 exhibitors.

Responding to NATAS’ move to avoid a clash of dates, Ms Alicia Seah, Dynasty Travel’s marketing communications director and the spokesperson for the Outbound Travel Fair’s working committee, said the breakaway group will stick to its plan.

“Our only priority now is to ensure that our exhibitors and consumers get the best deal. We will not be distracted in our efforts,” said Ms Seah, who also questioned NATAS’ sincerity in making “baby moves” after it was put under pressure.

Indeed, the line has been drawn: While the NATAS fair and the Outbound Travel Fair will now be held on different dates, several travel agencies and prospective exhibitors which 
TODAY spoke to said they will not take part in both.

Royal Caribbean Cruises (Asia) corporate communications manager Chin Ying Duan said the cruise ship operator will continue to participate in the NATAS fair, but she noted that it will be represented by travel agents at the Outbound Travel Fair.

For some, it is a matter of resources. Universal Travel Corporation managing director Khoo Boo Liat said: “Because of resource and manpower constraints, we only can afford to stick (to) the NATAS fair.”

To the consumers, the outcome of the saga could not have been better. Now, they can go to both fairs for free and on different dates.

Mr Patrick Wong, 59, who works in the services industry, said he will go to both fairs to “compare (and) see … what are the best options”.

Assistant executive Adeline Lee, 50, added that she hopes as a result of the breakaway, there will be a wider range of travel packages on offer.

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