Over 400 lodge complaints following Five Stars Tours closure

SINGAPORE - CASE said in a media advisory on Friday that it has received several queries from consumers regarding the closure of Five Stars Tours.

A local media website reported that over 400 complaints have been lodged, with 29 seeking compensation at the Small Claims Tribunal (SCT).

According to CASE, Five Stars Tours is still live at the Accounting & Corporate Regulatory Authority (ACRA) as of Jan 10, 2014, so consumers can still file a claim at the SCT.

CASE said it had written to the directors of Five Stars Tours, asking them to clarify their position and how they plan to address the problem of consumers who have been left in the lurch after paying the full sum for their tours.

"This is an area of concern...as many consumers have already paid for their transport or tour fares and would be adversely affected if they are unable to proceed with their holiday or travelling plans," said CASE.

Thousands have been affected by the sudden closure of Five Stars Tours, with an estimated 10,000 people that may be affected as the firm had scheduled up to 100 buses a day to make trips to Malaysia during the Chinese New Year period, reported Chinese evening daily Shin Min Daily.

The consumer authority said it will monitor the situation closely to see how it can assist consumers caught in the situation. 

"In the unfortunate event that Five Stars Tours Pte Ltd is unable to continue with their operations, CASE will render all assistance to consumers to help them to either make claims against the company at the Small Claims Tribunal (SCT) or to submit their claims to the official receiver or liquidator," it added.

Meanwhile, the National Association of Travel Agents (Natas) is working with insurance company AIG Asia Pacific and several travel agencies to help those affected, reported The Straits Times.

The tour agency, which has been closed for business since Wednesday, has been served a notice to revoke its travel agent license. It has been given until Jan 31 to provide the Singapore Tourism Board (STB) with reasons on why their travel agent licence should not be revoked.

Consumers may call the CASE hotline at 6100 0315 for further assistance.

maryanns@sph.com.sg