Written reply to PQ on requiring travel agencies to provide pre-trip risk assessments and safety briefings

Question:

Ms Joan Pereira: To ask the Minister for Trade and Industry (Energy and Industry) whether the Singapore Tourism Board can require travel agencies to provide regular and timely updates on safety alerts, such as earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, protests, amongst others, for their clients, and to provide pre-trip risk assessments and safety briefings for higher risk activities.

Written Answer by Minister for Trade and Industry (Energy and Industry) Dr Tan See Leng

1.           Under the Travel Agents Regulations, STB can take regulatory action against travel agents licensed in Singapore that compromise the safety of their customers due to negligence, such as by giving their customers inaccurate or misleading information.^[1] Travel agents are also required to ask clients to consider purchasing travel insurance. 

2.           Aside from what is regulated, travel agents are advised to put in place appropriate measures, such as pre-departure advisories, safety briefings, and situational updates based on the nature of the activities offered. They are also encouraged to share relevant travel notices and advisories, including those issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA), with their clients before and during their trips. STB regularly updates travel agents on MFA’s travel notices and advisories through TRUST, STB’s licensing portal for travel agents and tourist guides.

^[1] Section 9(1)(a) of the Travel Agents Act 1975: STB may suspend a licence for a period not exceeding 6 months (or a longer maximum period if prescribed in substitution), or revoke a licence if the licensee or a relevant individual of the licensee is not a suitable person to be involved in the management or operation of the business of a travel agent, including by reason of the manner in which the licensee is carrying on that business.