SINGAPORE: The former director of Mandarin World Holidays, Madam Tan Siew Choo, was on Tuesday fined S$3,000 for operating a travel agency without a valid licence.

Tan was found guilty and convicted of two charges under the Travel Agents Act. Two similar charges were also taken into consideration for sentencing.

The Singapore Tourism Board (STB) said the company's travel agent licence was first suspended from 3 April 2010 to 1 July 2010, following complaints of negligence and unprofessional behaviour.

STB had received a total of 28 complaints against the travel agency between 2008 and 2010.

The agency's licence was subsequently revoked on 20 September 2010, after it was found to be offering travel-related services during the suspension period.

However, during a raid by STB on 13 October 2010, the agency was still providing travel-related services.

As this was a clear contravention of the Travel Agents Act, STB said it commenced investigations and subsequent prosecution against Mandarin World Holidays.

STB said it takes a serious view against errant travel agents and those who engage in unlicensed travel agent activities.

It will not hesitate to take necessary action to protect consumers' interests and safeguard the reputation of Singapore's tourism sector.

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Woman fined for operating travel agency without valid licence