Tour agencies at NATAS Fair expect sales to rise by 20 to 30 per cent - Singapore

Tour agencies at NATAS Fair expect sales to rise by 20 to 30 per cent - Singapore

By Sok Hwee/ Julia Ng,
SINGAPORE: Rising costs and economic uncertainties in the US have not dampened Singaporeans’ travel lust.

Some 60,000 people thronged this year’s first travel fair by NATAS, or National Association of Travel Agents Singapore, surpassing last year’s record high of 57,000.

Organisers have brought forward the fair, which was traditionally held in April, by about a month.

Likewise, the second fair - which is usually held in the month of September, will be held earlier in August 2008.

Organisers said this is to prevent a repeat of last year’s problem - where many year-end travellers who made their bookings late could not secure a seat.

Besides the usual favourites like China, Japan, and Korea, more Singaporeans are also travelling to exotic places like Turkey, Egypt and South Africa.

Many also took advantage of the cheaper US greenback to visit America.

Most tour agencies said they expect sales to rise by 20 to 30 per cent this year.

Eileen Oh, Senior Manager, Marketing Communications of ASA Holidays, said: “We’re glad to see that despite rising costs of living and economic uncertainties, we still see a very strong outbound market.

“What’s interesting to note is that while more people are booking their holidays earlier ahead, we have people who are asking for November, December school holidays departures,” she added. -CNA/vm
Source : Channel NewsAsia   - 03 March 2008

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