SINGAPORE: Continental Travel Singapore has been suspended from conducting travel agent activities for five months from Tuesday (Jul 19), said the Singapore Tourism Board (STB).
This follows Continental Travel’s appeal against the notice of intent to suspend its travel agent licence for its suspected involvement in fraudulent SingapoRediscovers voucher redemptions, said STB in a media advisory.
“Continental Travel Singapore allegedly engaged in cashback arrangements by partially refunding, in cash, the value of the SingapoRediscovers voucher bookings made by some members of the public,” the tourism board added.
In September last year, the police arrested three people linked to the travel agency for their alleged involvement in the fraudulent redemptions. Police investigations are ongoing, said STB.
“STB takes a serious view of errant travel agents and will not hesitate to take necessary action to protect the reputation of Singapore’s travel industry, including referring cases to the police,” it added.
The tourism board said in September last year that Continental Travel had been removed from the voucher scheme.
The SingapoRediscover Vouchers scheme was introduced in December 2020 to support local tourism businesses hard hit by the COVID-19 pandemic. Singaporeans aged 18 and above received S$100 in vouchers, which can be used on staycations, attraction tickets and tours.