STB revokes licences of 5 travel agents

Five travel agents here have had their licences revoked over the failure to submit their outstanding audited statement of accounts, annual business profile returns, or both.

They are: Gemini Travel n Tours, Intersys, SGWanka, VS Travel and Wizfair Travel.

The revocation is in accordance with the Travel Agents Act 1975, said the Singapore Tourism Board (STB) in a statement on June 23.

These travel agencies have continually failed to submit their audited statement of accounts, annual business profile returns, or both. Under the Travel Agents Regulations 2017, licensees must submit these documents within six months after the close of their financial year.

One of the companies, VS Travel, also had its licence revoked for failing to maintain the minimum financial requirement. Under the Travel Agents Regulations 2017, licensees must maintain a net value of at least $100,000 at all times.

The companies are no longer permitted to carry out any travel agent activities, STB said.

These travel agents must refund their existing customers, or transfer their existing obligations to licensed travel agents to fulfil.

"STB takes a serious view against errant travel agents and will not hesitate to take necessary actions to protect the reputation of Singapore's travel industry," STB added.

For the most up-to-date list of licensed travel agents in Singapore, visit this website.

Correction note: In an earlier version of the story, we said that six travel agents have had their licences revoked. STB has since updated that one of them, Zayn Travels, has submitted an appeal, and it is temporarily withholding the name from the list of revoked licences.