MALAYSIAN COMPANIES SET TO TAP INTO POTENTIAL OF NATAS TRAVEL 2012

SINGAPORE, Feb 23 (Bernama) -- The three-day NATAS Travel 2012, starting

here tomorrow, gives tourism organisations and agencies from Malaysia an

opportunity to tap into a large Singaporean traffic.

The travel fair will be held at the Singapore Expo, Hall 3B, 4 and 5 and

will see the participation of 16 national tourism organisations, including

Malaysia.

The National Association of Travel Agents (NATAS) chief executive officer,

Robert Khoo said among the Malaysian participants at the event are Legoland

Malaysia, A'Famosa Resort Malacca, Lotus Desaru Beach Resort and Mutiara Taman

Negara Resort, Pahang, Pulai Spring Resort/Pulai Desaru Beach Resort & Spa,

Resorts World Genting, the Johor Tourism Department and Sabah Tourism Board

Themed, "The World’s Your Playground", the more than 150 exhibitors will

offer a variety of exciting travel deals that encompass a wide range of

different destinations and itineraries.

"We have always encouraged everyone of all ages and demographics to attend

the travel fair. There is a wide variety of offerings by our various exhibitors

to cater to individual tastes and preferences," he told Bernama.

NATAS Travel 2011 saw 65,717 visitors and chalked up sales of S$90 million.

Touching on NATAS, Khoo said it represents the Singapore travel agency

community.

Acting as the voice of the industry, he said NATAS strives to ensure the

sustained and continued development of travel agencies while supporting and

spearheading education and training.

Touching on Singapore and Malaysia tourism, he said both countries have

always enjoyed strong numbers against each other.

He also said that despite the sluggish global economy, the demand for travel

will remain strong.

"This can be partially attributed to the business community having

more time to go on leisure trips during periods of a slow global economy," he

added. --BERNAMA

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