CONDOLENCES have poured in for P R Gopal, former president of the National Association of Travel Agents of Singapore (NATAS), who passed away peacefully in Perth on September 21.
Having served as president of NATAS for four terms from 1984 to 1992, he was integral to the formation of the association in 1979. Gopal also worked at World Express Singapore and Orient Explorer Singapore.
Ex-CEO of NATAS, Robert Khoo, fondly remembers Gopal as a man who did not take no for an answer.
He said: “I originally wanted to step down from the NATAS Executive Committee to focus on running my own travel agency, but Gopal would not accept it,” Khoo explained with a laugh. “Over the better part of a year, he convinced me to ultimately take up the reins of president of NATAS!”
“Gopal was also a highly charismatic leader. Back in those days, Gopal really emphasised the importance of ASEAN Tourism Association and Federation of ASEAN Travel Agents Associations meetings, as well as leveraged the associations as platforms to engage and negotiate with many different agencies. Both associations saw stellar attendance from the delegates of various countries,” Khoo added.
Robin Yap, president of The Travel Corporation Asia, said: “Gopal was truly our pioneer generation industry leader. He was a fearless NATAS president who fought for his members’ rights. I am sending my deepest condolences to his family.”
