Natas inks deal for report on travel trends of S'poreans

A comprehensive report on the travel trends of Singaporeans based on consolidated booking data will be launched by end-June.

It will detail Singaporeans' travel plans for the next six months to one year, including their destination, length of stay and air ticket prices, and allow industry players to better predict market trends.

The National Association of Travel Agents Singapore (Natas) signed an agreement last week to provide market research firm GfK with live booking data on a weekly basis. This will be combined with data from 10 major players, such as airline Scoot and online travel agency Expedia.

GfK said this will be the first travel report in Singapore based on "forward booking" data. It intends to produce the report every month.

Mr Ang Eu Khoon, Natas' chairman for information technology, said: "Market data in the travel industry is often very fragmented, with no real comparative way of measurement."

The report will help Natas members understand the industry better and "help advance it to the next level in a rapidly changing business environment", he added.

Yesterday, Natas also unveiled the line-up for its three-day travel fair starting on Friday at the Singapore Expo. Among the more than 80 exhibitors are travel agencies ASA Holidays and Universal Travel Corporation.

Besides offering travel deals, the fair will feature daily lucky draws, stage performances and a new food and beverage section with international cuisine. Admission is free.

The fair was supposed to be held on the weekend of March 27, but Natas brought it forward after a group of 24 travel agencies announced their decision last November to hold their own fair on the same dates.

Mr Devinder Ohri, president of Natas, said the shift in dates was to benefit both the exhibitors, who will be able to sell their inventories earlier, and consumers, who would find it easier to secure departure dates of their choice.

He said: "The industry's strong support for Natas and Natas Travel 2015 shows that our travel fairs are still relevant and remain the premier travel fair event in Singapore."

mellinjm@sph.com.sg

This article was first published on Mar 3, 2015.
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