SINGAPORE, 20 March 2018: Singapore’s State Courts convicted an individual of conducting the business of a travel agent without a valid licence, the Singapore Tourism Board reported late last week.
STB said Bambi Kee Kim Noi was convicted of carrying on the business of a travel agent without a valid travel agent licence under the provisions of the Travel Agents Act.
A total of 27 charges were brought against Kee. She was fined a total of SGD 7,500 in default of 25 days’ imprisonment for five of the charges.
The remaining 22 such charges were taken into consideration for the purpose of sentencing. She was also charged and convicted for a related offence under the Penal Code, and sentenced to imprisonment for 12 months for criminal breach of trust by her misappropriating monies entrusted to her by consumers as an agent.
Her sentence has been deferred and will commence no later than 13 April 2018.
Investigations revealed that Kee started her unlicensed travel agent activities in 2012, when she had claimed to be a freelance travel agent and sold air tickets and hotel accommodation vouchers.
In early 2013, she faced financial difficulties, but continued to take on consumer transactions without fulfilling them, thereby affecting 16 consumers who then lodged police reports.
The STB said it takes a serious view of those who engage in unlicensed travel agent activities and “will not hesitate to take actions to protect consumers’ interests and uphold the reputation of Singapore’s tourism sector”.
Under Section 6 of the pre-amended Travel Agents Act, any person found guilty of carrying on the business of a travel agent without a valid travel agent licence faces a maximum fine of SGD 10,000 and, or imprisonment, of up to two years.
Under the amended Travel Agents Act that took effect on 1 January 2018, commission of the same offence now will carry a higher maximum fine of SGD 25,000 and, or imprisonment, of up to two years.
STB warned travellers to exercise due diligence when making travel arrangements.
For the latest list of licensed travel agents in Singapore, please visit the Travel Related Users’ System (TRUST) website, https://trust.yoursingapore.com.
