SINGAPORE, 4 January 2024: Singapore Tourism Board suspended Al Faheem Tours & Travels Pte Ltd (travel agent licence number 03211) (“AF”) from conducting travel agent activities with effect from 28 May 2024, following its breach of the Travel Agents Act 1975.
Identified as an Umrah* travel service provider on its Facebook page, the travel company still needs to submit its audited statement of accounts (AA) within six months after the close of its financial year. Its failure to pay the financial penalty in lieu of suspension or revocation was imposed based on the contravention.
The suspension will remain in effect until the travel company has paid the financial penalty or for up to six months, whichever is earlier. During the suspension period, AF will be required to fulfil its existing obligations to its customers but will not be allowed to accept new travel bookings.
In its statement, STB said it “takes a serious view against errant travel agents and will not hesitate to take necessary actions to protect the reputation of Singapore’s travel industry.”
* Essentially, Umrah means ‘a visit’ to the Holy Kaaba (the Sacred House of God) in Arabic and can be performed by anyone, anytime of the year; unlike Hajj, which is an obligatory pilgrimage to Makkah, performed every year within the first 10 days of the Islamic month of Dhul Hijjah.Travel agencies specialise in offering Umrah travel packages for pilgrims.
