On Sunday, the line to get into the carpark was a long, snaking one. Dozens of cars, unable to get lots, were parked - illegally - on the roadside.

Inside Singapore Expo Halls 4B and 5, there were more neat files of people awaiting their turn to book that coveted holiday destination.

Over 37,000 thronged the travel fair on Friday and Saturday. And Natas chief executive officer Robert Khoo expects the three-day tally to break the 57,500 visitor record set at last September's fair.

He has even higher hopes for sales, estimating that in the next two weeks, travel agents should ring up $50 million worth of trade, up from the last record of $40 million.

He said: 'The economy has been doing well for the past four years, so holidays are the thing that people will think about.'

The fair, which was brought forward by a month from the regular end March affair, was the earliest ever Natas has organised its fairs.

CTC Holidays managing director Wee Hee Ling said: 'We were not sure if people would come since the fair is so early this year.'

But, she was 'pleasantly surprised. Bookings were up 50 per cent compared to the March fair last year.

Read the full story in Monday's edition of The Straits Times.