A Travel Agency is an individual, group of people, or a company providing and organizes services related to travel and tours. The travel agency is an organization that provides services for tours and travel by either of the modes, i.e. Sea, Air, or Road. The transport companies that provide transport and cargo services are excluded and not be considered as Travel agencies in Singapore. In this article, you will get to know how to set up a travel agency in Singapore.

In Singapore, travel agents fall under regulations of the Travel Agent’s Act and are required to acquire a license with the Singapore Tourism Board (STB).

How to set up a Travel Agency in Singapore

A Person(s) or a Company(s) in the business of organizing travel arrangements or conducting tours and travels packages within or outside of Singapore are required to apply for a Travel Agent Licence. ​

Before applying for a Travel Agent’s license, one should fulfill the following conditions:

• You should register with the Accounting & Corporate Regulatory Authority (ACRA) to conduct the travel agent business. You have to approach to Singapore Tourism Board (STB) to know the process how to apply for a travel agent license.

 

• The Registered Business must have a minimum paid-up capital of S$50,000 (for Niche Licences) and S$100,000 (for General Licences), along with a net value of the same amount.

 

• All applicants must appoint a Key Executive, who will be capable to handle the day-to-day administration and operations of the travel agency. Preferably, he should be a director of the business (as listed in ACRA) with a managerial level of experience in the travel business.

 

• Email id for the operation of travel agency business.

 

• Set up an office that to be used for conducting travel agency business.

How to apply

An online application to be made to Travel Agents and Tourist Guides Licensing System (TRUST). The application fee of $200 has to be paid to Singapore Tourism Board (STB) while applying.

License Fees

After successful processing of the application, a license fee of $400 has to be paid to Singapore Tourism Board (STB) for the issuance of the license with a validity period of two years. That’s it, the applicant’s travel agency is listed on the Travel Agent Directory of TRUST.

Enquiries

In case of any enquiries regarding licensing matters, you can visit the TRUST website or email the relevant department in STB at – stb_ta@stb.gov.sg

Ready to apply for a Travel Agent License, Click here

Types of Travel Agent License in Singapore

Singapore Tourism Board (STB) currently offers two types of travel agent licenses. Do check the below information to see which type of license you have to apply for.

Niche Licence

The Niche license is for travel agents who are planning to sell, arrange or advertise tours packages only within Singapore, and provide conveyance to the participants but without any right of accommodation.

The minimum financial requirement for a Niche Licence is $50,000.

General Licence

Travel agents who conduct any other activity that is described under Niche Licence may apply for a General Licence.

The minimum financial requirement for a General Licence is $100,000.

Who needs a Travel Agent License?

A travel agent license is required to conduct business as a travel agent in Singapore.

The government body that is responsible to issue the Travel Agent License is Singapore Tourism Board (STB). STB has defined a travel agent who provides the following services under Section 4 of the Travel Agent’s Act.

• Sell tickets to an individual who travels to any destination.
• Provides services that assist travelers’ transportation, accommodation, and visa requirements when they travel outside Singapore,
• Advertises the services it offers.
• Organizes tours, excursions, sightseeing.
• Buy the right to resell certain Tour packages.

The above definitions cover companies that provide tour and travel services, outings, sightseeing, tourist services, and ticketing agents for airlines, tourist buses, and voyage ships.

Rejected Applications

There is no reason to reject your application if you have submitted all the necessary documents along with correct information in an application for your travel agency license. However, if your application is rejected by the authorities, you may file a review within one month of the rejection, and the review process will take up to two weeks.

Renewals

The Singapore travel agency license issued and valid for two years, and it expires on the 31^st of December of the following year regardless of the month in which you initially applied for an application.

The Travel Agent has to renew their license before one month it expires.