NATAS Travel Fair 2013 Information

Date: 22 to 24 February 2013 
Location: Singapore Expo Hall 3B, 4 & 5 Address: 1 Expo Drive, Singapore 486150 
Opening hours: 10am to 9.30pm  Entrance fee: $4.00 per person, free for children below 12
Official website: Here Facebook page: Here Read more NATAS Reviews from our members: Here

NATAS 2013 Floor Plan

Find the agents you are looking for easily! Zoom in and view the full version here.

As you can see from the map, the biggest booths are all at the end of the hall – namely Five Stars, Dynasty Travel, ASA holidays, Hong Thai Travel and CTC travel. Most of the smaller booths and national tourism boards are at the front, with the exception of Chan Brothers which is on the left at the front of the hall. The banks are at the extreme right and the stage is at the bottom right. There is ample seating there if you feel tired.

What is the NATAS Travel Fair about?

NATAS stands for “National Association of Travel Agents Singapore” and is an annual event/exhibition that brings together travel specialists and tour operators promoting various travel destinations. TSL Star writer duskofdoubt sums up NATAS best in her review:

“Once my family misses the annual NATAS Travel fair, we won’t even think of travelling for the subsequent holiday. The deals at NATAS are so good that travelling without them is seen as somewhat of a waste.

At each NATAS Travel fair, several travel and tour companies come together under one single roof to compete for customers. As such, some of the travel deals can get ridiculously cheap, as the companies more often than not attempt to beat their rival companies’ rates. NATAS also provides several lucky dips and draws, often offering prizes such as luggage bags, carriers, and TV consoles. Personally, I have even won an MP3 Player once from NATAS Travel.

The fair can get a little crowded at times, as it’s definitely the best travel fair in Singapore so it’s hardly surprising that it draws such an eager crowd. The tour promoters are usually friendly, as most of them are seasoned tour guides themselves, so customers need not worry about unpleasant service. I’m waiting for the next NATAS Travel fair eagerly. I’ve been looking forward to that trip to Europe.“

How to get to NATAS Travel Fair

The best way is to take an MRT to Expo MRT Station. From there its about a 5 minute walk to the Expo halls. The last time I was there I found parking very expensive and there are limited slots available, if you don’t go early, prepare to wait a long time and fight tooth and nail for parking spaces.

NATAS fair tips for Singaporeans

1. Price Compare Online – Do it online first for the places you intend to visit. This way when you visit NATAS you can get a good indication of what is a good deal and don’t have to come back again after doing more “research.”
2. Look out for “hidden costs”. This often includes “taxes”, “entrances fees”, “transportation fees”, etc. Make sure you ASK them about any associated cost you have to pay. Often companies keep these extra costs out of their advertised fares to make them appear lower. Airplane tax is a must ask.
3. Get the most out of it! Look out for the freebies and lucky draws. Bring your credit card along as various vendors offer big credit card discounts. Some offer free gifts if you spend over a certain amount. Its also a good time there to buy travel insurance if you feel it is necessary.
4. “Land Only” means the air ticket is not included. Be careful when you see very low prices with the “Land Only” and know what you’re getting into.

Which tours should I keep an eye out for?

Here is a list of some of the popular ones with deals that caught my eye and their booth number. Note that all prices listed here are the advertised prices and they are subject to their own terms and conditions. Do not use these prices as the final prices. Check with the agencies first before making any payments.

Hotel / Resorts:

• Berjaya Hotels & Resorts      4H43

Travel Agencies:

• Chan Brothers Travel (5H13 at Front left) – They have cool travel with the stars packages with celebrities like Pornsak, Ann Kok and Kym Ng. They also have “2nd person flies free” for some of their European trips. Their 10/12D Europe Express with London for $3,388 has that deal too.
• EU Holidays / Apple Holidays (5H56 Back of hall, on left) – Have super cheap Bangkok, Indo China, Hong Kong and Taiwan tours. I saw a Taiwan 3N4D from  $268 and Bangkok 4D3N from $248.
• Five Stars Tours Pte Ltd (5H58 at Back of hall, on left) – They mostly focus on the Asian market. They have a nice $55 legoland deal which includes the entrance ticket and coach transfer. Departure 8am, Return 630pm.
• Nam Ho Travel (5H46 Center left, near the entrance) – Has 4D3N Maldives offers at 5 star hotels like Sheraton and Velassaru for $1,130 and $1,358 respectively. (Land Only)
• Hong Thai Travel (4H60 Back of hall, Center) They have a 28 anniversary promotion where the first 280 customers each day get better prices. They also have 50% 2nd person for some deals. 6D Korea is at $599 with SIA (not sure if this is land only price) and 6D Dubai is at $1,199.
• Sino-America Tours aka SA Tours (5H54  Back of hall, Center left) – Super cheap Hong Kong tours 4D3N from $388 including Disneyland Ticket. Club Med NATAS promotion from $630 5D to Bintan/Puhket/Bali/Kani(Maldives). 10D Turkey from $1,248 and  Europe holidays for an unheard of $778!! (Requires 2 to go)

Cruises:

• Costa Cruises      4H35      

For a full list please check out the official exhibitor list here.

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My top NATAS travel fair pick! – Costa Cruises

I enjoying reading 8 days weekly and this time was pleasantly surprised to come across a gorgeous “Costa Cruise” pull out with their magazine. I have always wanted to go on a cruise in my lifetime but had been hesitating simply because I’ve never felt there was a cruise out there with a deal too good to resist. So I just lay waiting for that perfect moment to present itself, which thankfully has just come! I found out their biggest ship the “Costa Atlantica” will be arriving in Singapore shortly and to celebrate its arrival they have an amazing 1 for 1 offer. Yes, that means its basically half price with two passengers and kids travel free! And balcony class prices start at just $412* per person!

The ship is an enormous 292m long (in comparison Marina Bay Sands is just 194m tall) and has 1,057 rooms, of which 58 are suites and 660 balcony cabins with their own private balcony. Its like a gigantic floating piece of heaven! A “Venice at Sea” experience! So of course this is going to be my pick and what I will be looking forward to check the most at the NATAS fair. And yes, unlike other cruises with rushed day time expeditions, Costa  Cruises give you plenty of time (6-9 hours) to visit their destinations from Langkawai to Phuket or Malacca to Penang. Costa Atlantica sails under the Italian flag so you can feast your eyes on their lavish designs, some describe the ship as a floating museum as it is home to over 400 pieces of art. You can also dine on authentic Italian gourmet at one of their 4 restaurants and enjoy their magic and acrobatic shows in their 3 level theater. Here are some other things to do on your cruise.

Pulau Langkawi

Sports and Activities:

• Olympia Gym
• Sports Court for basketball / Soccer
• Jogging Track on Deck
• Four swimming pools, four Jacuzzis. One pool has a retractable cover and water slides

Entertainment:

• Ischia Spa and Beauty Parlor
• Fortuna Casino – Slot machines and table games
• Dante Disco – Their very own night club
• Paparazzi Lounge – Live Jazz Music
• Caruso Theater – 3 Level theatre where you can enjoy different shows every night
• 12 Bars! – Hangout at the Cognac & Cigarbar or challenge your friends with your own cocktail creations
• Arcade and children’s pool, groups and facilities.
• Shopping centre and Library
• WIFI access at all popular common areas

Events:

• Cooking Classes
• Art & Craft sessions
• Salsa Classes
• Beauty pageants (Adults, Teenagers and kids have their own!)
• Costume themed parties
• Karaoke nights

Just follow their daily newsletter which will keep you entertained with what to do each day.

Cruise Fares & Information

3-Night Pleasure of Malaysia Cruise

• Departure: 8, 15, 22, 29 May 2013. 5 June 2013
• Destinations: Malacca & Penang
• Price: $412* per person (2 Adults / Balcony Cabin) or $206* p.p (2 Adults + 2 kids per Balcony Cabin)

4-Night Discovery of Phuket & Langkawi Cruise

• Departure: 4, 11, 18, 25 May 2013. 1, 8 June 2013
• Destinations: Phuket & Langkawai
• Price: $544* per person (2 Adults / Balcony Cabin) or $272* p.p (2 Adults + 2 kids per Balcony Cabin)

*Fares exclude tax, port, service, visa fees etc. Please check with the agency first regrading the final prices.

23 Feb Update: After visiting the big Costa Cruise booth, I found out the only extra charges you need to pay are for port, ($100 – $138) service charge (Free to $55) and Insurance ($22).

Fares include:

• Accommodation
• Children Clubs
• 5 Meals per day
• Activities, classes and workshops
• Entertainment and live music
• Tropical Party, Disco and more

Bonus! Departures in May 22, June 1, 5 & 8 will receive complimentary onboard credit per cabin ranging from $200 USD to $400 USD

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Costa Cruises “Costa Atlantica”

Head down to their NATAS travel fair for Costa Cruise tickets!

Stamford Discovery Cruise Centre (Booth 4H39) or Citystate Holidays (Both 4H35).

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Disclosure:

• Thanks to NATAS for providing the media kit with the floor plan.
• We are not affiliated with NATAS or any other travel agency listed here other than Costa Cruises.
• Pictures are from Costa Cruises whom we are doing a collaboration with.
• I found their deal and arrival of their star cruise ship in Singapore the most exciting so I contacted them for the collaboration.