SUSAN Teng, a veteran who helped nurture the Singapore outbound and wellness market, died last Friday, but her indomitable spirit lives as peers described how she continued to care for the industry while battling cancer to the end.
“Even when she was at her death bed, she was concerned about the NATAS Travel Fair. I have lost a dear friend in the battle against cancer. She will always be remembered by friends as a champion for the travel and spa industries,” said Patricia Auyeong, CEO, Tourism Management Institute of Singapore.
Teng worked for more than 20 years as managing director of Worldwide Honey Tours and was best remembered as a consultant who forayed into spa and wellness travel when the sector was up-and-coming. As president of Spa & Wellness Association Singapore since April 2012, she introduced the first spa insurance scheme for consumer protection, spa accreditation by Casetrust and sat on the advisory panel of Singapore Polytechnic to launch a diploma course on fitness and wellness.
She was also chairman of the outbound committee of the National Association of Travel Agents Singapore (NATAS) for over 11 years from March 2003 to April 2014.
Said Robin Yap, president, Travel Corporation Asia: “Susan fought a courageous battle against her illness. We rallied each other in the past 10 years against cancer and l lost a strong pillar of strength in Susan Teng following her passing. The travel industry also lost a passionate leader who served as chairperson outbound NATAS for over 11 years and stepped down only in 2014. I visited her at Assisi Hospice recently and took comfort that she had fought a good battle and was no longer in pain.”
Auyeong agreed: “Susan was a fighter and she won’t give up without a good fight. She was also known for her determination and strength. Despite her pain and suffering when battling cancer, she continued to devote herself to her work and never complained or showed any sign of weakness. Susan didn’t lose hope when the doctors told her there was nothing much they could do for her. She then went to Taiwan and Hungary to seek alternative treatments.”
Former NATAS CEO, Renton de Alwis, said: “She was a good friend and stood by me with strong belief in a change process we drove in my NATAS days. She kept in touch all these years on Facebook and a true Spa Lady she was. I send my deepest condolences to her family from Sri Lanka.”
TTG Asia would like to extend our deepest condolences to the children and family of the late Susan Teng.
