Mr Lee Liat Cheng

President, National Association of Travel Agents Singapore

Mr Robert Khoo

Chief Executive, NATAS

Dr Robin Yap

Chairman, Travel Industry Skills Standards Committee

Ladies and Gentlemen

Good afternoon

It is a pleasure to be here at the opening of the annual travel fair of NATAS and the launch of the National Skills Recognition System (NSRS) for the travel industry.

The travel industry in Singapore is made up of about 600 establishments. The industry employs more than 7,000 workers. It is an important service sector in our economy. It is very much our "face" to the external world because our tour agents, representatives and guides are the very first point of contact for many foreign visitors when they first arrive in Singapore.

The tragic events of September 11 have affected global travel and the hospitality industries all over the world. We are seeing cancellations of major political gatherings, international conferences and exhibitions, as well as personal vacations. As a result, some major airlines are now forced to retrench workers in the wake of the drastic drop in passenger loads and business volume.

We do not know yet the full impact on the industry. However, we can reasonably deduce that the global industry is likely to undergo a major consolidation as industry players, big and small, try to respond and survive under these difficult circumstances.

Here in Singapore, as a world travel hub, we will have to likewise brace ourselves for unpredictable developments in the global market. By taking concrete and speedy steps to restructure our industry during this period of downturn, we will be able to gear up to play a greater regional role when the eventual recovery comes about.

I am therefore most encouraged to learn that NATAS and members of the industry have also concluded that there is no better time than now for Singapore’s travel industry to upgrade and re-invent itself. The staging of NATAS Holidays 2001 and the launching of the NSRS for the travel industry are most timely. It is heartening to see that despite the difficult circumstances, the travel trade has remained positive and maintained a ‘business as usual’ attitude.

Working with PSB, NATAS has also undertaken a number of major projects to upgrade the capabilities in the industry and strengthen the competitiveness of the industry. They reflect the confidence and commitment of the industry to look beyond the current setback and take control of its future.

The Industry Capability Upgrading Plan (ICAP) for the travel industry was launched just recently on 20 June 2001, comprising of six strategic thrusts. These are: integration of travel agents, collaboration, growth and expansion, use of Internet and Internet related technologies, raising image and professionalism of travel agents, and effective use of industry knowledge. A series of new strategies will be implemented over the next five years to reposition the industry into one that is globally competitive.

Today, the travel industry is taking another major step forward to upgrade the industry and re-invent its workforce. The Travel Industry Skills Standards Committee of NATAS, comprising chief executives and top management from travel companies, has been working hard to spearhead the implementation of a national skills recognition system for the travel industry.

The committee has developed ten generic skill standards. Five more are underway. Eventually, when all skill standards, about 70 of them, are fully established, the industry will have a comprehensive road map to guide the training and skill upgrading of the workers in the travel industry. This will not only improve their productivity, but also their professionalism, employability and image.

The government is committed to give its full support to this major initiative of NATAS. PSB will work with NATAS and develop on-the-job blueprints for every skill standard identified and developed by the industry. Workers will then be able to acquire certifiable skills in a cost effective and speedy manner.

The government has also made available $1.5 million to support NATAS in the development of skill standards, training and assessment. PSB and NATAS aim to conduct at least 5,500 assessments over the next three years, so as to create a major impact on the overall skill and service level of the industry.

Besides working with NATAS, PSB is currently working with about 50 industries to implement NSRS. Of these 50 industries, more than two-thirds come from the services and commerce sectors.

The widespread implementation of NSRS across all major sectors of our economy will not only enhance the productivity of these sectors, but also the employability of our workforce and upgrading and repositioning of the entire economy. To this end, I would like to thank NATAS and members of the travel industry for joining this national movement, and contribute to the re-development of our national workforce as we make the transformation into an knowledge based and innovation driven economy.

I would like to end by commending NATAS and the Skill Standards Committee for their vision, leadership and commitment to upgrade the professionalism of the travel industry. I hope that many travel agents will come forward and send their workers for skill upgrading.

It now gives me great pleasure to declare the NATAS Holidays 2001 open and to launch the national skills recognition system for the travel industry. Thank you.

_________________