The competition between Singapore’s two main consumer travel fairs is heating up again, this time perhaps with greater ferocity with both fairs held simultaneously this weekend.
From March 23 to 25, Singapore Outbound Travel Agents Association (SOTAA) will organise its seventh Travel Revolution fair at Marina Bay Sands (B2 Expo Hall E), while the 52nd NATAS Travel fair by the National Association of Travel Agents Singapore (NATAS) will take place at Singapore Expo (Halls 4 and 5A).
Ulrich Sante, German ambassador to Singapore, will grace the opening of the NATAS fair. Germany will feature considerably at the fair, with Bavarian elements on display and Lufthansa one of the exhibitors, plus performances encompassing Bavarian music and a fashion show featuring traditional attire.
SOTAA is highlighting VIPs of its own at Travel Revolution, such as local celebrities Huang Biren, Chen Liping and Jeffery Xu, who will be onstage at the i-Weekly Travel Discovery workshops to help with trip planning.
Both are plugging the many products available at wallet-friendly prices, on top of holiday planning help.
At Travel Revolution, trip planning sessions on Saturday are themed around Kenya and Tanzania; the Balkans; Hong Kong and the azure isles; New Zealand; and Northern Lights tours.
And on Sunday, the same time slots have been dedicated respectively to Switzerland rail convoy, the Balkans, Melbourne glamping; New Zealand and Western Australia.
NATAS is also running talks on holidays, including Grand Canyon National Park, Morocco, the Northern Lights and Setouchi.
As usual, both organisers will entice spending through lucky draws. NATAS is this year dangling the top prize, a pair of Singapore Airlines business class tickets to Sydney worth S$14,000, alongside other rewards such as a 10-day trip to Prague, Vienna and Budapest, European cruise, air tickets, staycations, vouchers and more.
SOTAA is putting up for grabs air tickets to Europe, Japan, Australia among others; cruises to Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia; a hotel stay at Marina Bay Sands and more.
Both promise double the chance of winning for purchases charged to their respective credit card partner – MasterCard for NATAS Travel and American Express for Travel Revolution.
For this edition of Travel Revolution, SOTAA has announced an additional tie-up. Kay Swee Pin, president of SOTAA, said the association is partnering electronics retailer Courts this year to offer both travel and electronics products in one hall, while Courts will run its Super Brands Show in an adjoining hall. Customers at either fairs can also enjoy cross promotions.
Update: This article has been amended to accurately state the credit card partners of both fairs.
