The closure of local tour agency Misa Travel was due to
a "business decision" by its major shareholder.
In a statement released by the company on Friday (June
2), two days since it ceased operations, the agency
said: “After 23 years in business, it’s with regrets that our
major shareholder has to make the business decision to close Misa
Travel Pte Ltd,” it said, adding that it was “deeply sorry” and
understood the “disappointment and frustrations of our customers
who are affected by the closure”.
The agency also said it was assisting its customers to
continue with their travel plans or seek redress with their
claims.
“We understand that most of the customers have not
heard from us as we are still working with appropriate business
partners and fellow travel agents to help make this transition for
all customers as soon as possible,” the company said.
The travel agency had closed a day after the Singapore
Tourism Board (STB) served a notice of revocation under the Travel
Agents Act (Chapter 334) after it found the company “unable to
fulfil its obligations towards its customers”.
It led to Misa Travel shutting down its office at Hong
Lim Complex, its website and Facebook page on Wednesday, with an
online notice stating that “business and all services have been
ceased with immediate effect”.
Meanwhile, the National Association of Travel Agents
Singapore (Natas) Secretary-General Ram Samtani said the
association had not received any complaints against Misa
Travel, which is a Natas member, in the recent months prior to
their sudden closure.
"Natas will work with the relevant authorities to
render assistance to affected consumers wherever possible," Mr
Samtani added.
Apart from working with DBS Bank and Cathay Pacific to
minimise disruption to the travel plans of those who have bought
the DBS Travel Deals Hong Kong tickets, Misa said it was “working
with Dynasty Travel and New Shan Travel to see how they can best
assist to provide alternative travel options to our customers”.
In a media statement, Dynasty Travel said it was
preparing its staff "to help those who are affected in the best
possible way so as not to disrupt their travel plans”.
It added that more updates would be directly
communicated to the individual customers.
“For customers who need to get refund for their air
tickets, kindly go directly to the respective airlines,” Misa
Travel said. “For customers who have purchased Travel Insurance, we
would advise to proceed with the claims in the time being.”
STB had earlier said in a media release on Wednesday
that, in the event that Misa Travel could not be reached, or failed
to provide the relevant service delivery or refund, consumers with
applicable travel insurance ought to approach their insurance
providers for assistance.
"Customers should not be afraid to take their business
to other professional travel agents," Mr Samtani said. "Natas'
members and the industry are willing to assist and offer their
services where necessary. "
Misa thanked customers who had already heard from them
for their understanding and support. “For customers who have
yet to hear from us, we will be progressively responding to them in
due course.”
This is not the first time a local travel agency has
abruptly ceased operations.
In December last year, Sky Travel and Tours was also
served a notice of revocation under the same act. Its closure
affected a tour group bound for Japan on the same day.
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