SINGAPORE- The Singapore Tourism Board (STB) has revoked the licence of a tour agency following its sudden closure.
Staff of Asia-Euro Holidays in Chinatown Point were asked to leave work earlier than usual, at about 5.30pm, on Friday. A note was then put up on the company's front door to apologise to customers for closing the business.
STB on Saturday urged all affected consumers to contact the agency regarding the status of their booking or refund. In the event that Asia-Euro Holidays cannot be reached or fails to provide relevant service delivery or refund, consumers with applicable travel insurance should approach their insurance providers for assistance, STB said.
Those who do not have travel insurance can approach the Consumers Association of Singapore (Case) or the Small Claims Tribunal, where appropriate, the statement said.
"STB is monitoring the situation and may consider taking further actions against Asia Euro Holidays Pte Ltd and its directors, if necessary," the statement added.
In its note, Asia-Euro Holidays told customers whose passports are still with the company to contact an agent in charge of processing visa applications.
The tour agency also advised customers who have yet to go on their trips to make travel insurance claims if they have any, or to file a claim at the Small Claims Tribunal.
The same note was posted on the tour agency's Facebook page.
The visa agent, known only as Mr Lee, told The Straits Times that he was not aware of the full details, adding: "I am closer to the employees. Many of them have not been paid their salaries too."
Mr Lee, who declined to give his full name, said the tour agency was a family-run business. Besides the owner and his wife, the couple's daughter and son-in-law were also involved in the business.
"I had heard about the firm's financial difficulties, but I didn't know that they were going to close down," he said.
He added that he has seven passports belonging to clients of Asia-Euro Holidays and "they can contact me to take them back".
