Travel Agents and Tourist Guides Industry Forum (TATGIF) 2026
Discover industry insights, growth opportunities and cross-sector partnerships at our annual Travel Agents and Tourist Guides Industry Forum (TATGIF), where we explored how innovation can create meaningful impact for travel agents and tourist guides.
Last updated on 6 August 2026
About TATGIF
The Travel Agents and Tourist Guides Industry Forum (TATGIF) 2026 brought together more than 700 travel agents, tourist guides and tourism stakeholders for a day of learning, networking and capability building. Guided by the theme "Innovation for Impact", the forum explored how innovation and collaboration can strengthen Singapore's tourism industry and enhance visitor experiences.
Attendees gained insights through keynote presentations, industry updates and dedicated breakout sessions for travel agents and tourist guides. The forum also featured the Elevate Zone, showcasing technology and capability-building solutions, and the inaugural Voices of Guiding (VOG), a live guiding competition celebrating the storytelling excellence of Singapore's tourist guides.
Photo Gallery
Browse photos taken at TATGIF 2026.
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Key Highlights from TATGIF 2026
A) Plenary Session
Opening Remarks | Ms Lisa Liaw, CEO of Biological Gamechangers, STB Board Member
Ms Lisa Liaw highlighted Singapore’s strong tourism performance and shared STB’s Tourism 2040 vision to future-proof the sector. She also underscored the important role of travel agents and tourist guides in delivering innovative, agile and authentic experiences for visitors.
Speech by Ms Lisa Liaw (opens in new tab)
An Update on TATG Initiatives and Plans | Ms Annie Chang, Executive Director, Travel Agents and Tourist Guides
Ms Annie Chang shared updates on key initiatives and plans to strengthen the Travel Agents and Tourist Guides sector:
For TAs: STB shared initiatives to accelerate digital transformation and business growth, including the Travel Agent Industry Digital Plan (TA IDP), enhanced 50% grant support under the Business Improvement Fund (opens in new tab) for SME travel agents implementing a Travel Management System (TMS)1, AI capability-building initiatives, and programmes to help travel agents innovate, expand into new markets and strengthen business resilience.
For TGs: STB shared updates on the LEARN + DO licence renewal framework, capability development initiatives delivered with industry partners, and ongoing efforts to strengthen the tourist guiding profession through training, networking and mentorship opportunities.
For TAs and TGs: STB introduced TRUST, an enhanced licensing platform with simplified processes and improved user experience.
These initiatives reinforce the forum's theme of Innovation for Impact, empowering the industry to innovate, adapt and grow.
Presentation deck by Ms Annie Chang (opens in new tab)
1Applicants should hold a travel agent licence for minimally one year prior to applying for the BIF grant, to demonstrate sufficient operational experience and identify areas where support would be beneficial.
Agentic AI in Action: Harnessing AI for Travel Agents | Mr Glen Francis, Strategic Advisor, Google
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Mr Glen Francis shared how agentic AI can help travel businesses streamline operations, improve productivity and create more personalised customer experiences. He also highlighted practical ways travel agents can use AI to work smarter and serve travellers better.
Presentation by Mr Glen Francis (opens in new tab)
Voices of Guiding: Live Guiding Competition
Voices of Guiding is a live guiding competition that spotlights Tourist Guides (TGs) with innovative tour concepts and compelling storytelling. Beyond celebrating guiding excellence, it connects guides with travel agents and tour operators through live judging and mentorship, creating opportunities to refine, collaborate on and bring new tour experiences to market.
B) Breakout Sessions
For TAs | For TGs |
|---|---|
Session A1 - Tech Adoption Done Right: Assessing Needs, Choosing Wisely and Implementing Successfully | STB, IMDA The interactive workshop equipped participants with practical tools and guidance to assess their business needs, select suitable technology solutions, and maximise the value of their digital investments. STB and IMDA also shared key considerations for successful technology adoption within travel businesses. | Session B1 - TG TRUST Training & LEARN + DO Reminders (In Mandarin) | STB The session guided participants through the enhanced TRUST system and the LEARN + DO licence renewal framework, covering key requirements and reminders to support successful licence renewal. Presentation Deck on TRUST by STB (opens in new tab) |
Session A2 - OptiMICE! Exploring Growth Opportunities in MICE for Travel Agents and Tour Operators | STB The session introduced growth opportunities in Singapore's MICE sector and how travel agents can be involved in the ecosystem. Participants also gained insights into the role of SACEOS and avenues to connect with MICE industry partners. | Session C1 & C2 - TG TRUST Training & LEARN + DO Reminders | STB The session guided participants through the enhanced TRUST system and the LEARN + DO licence renewal framework, covering key requirements and reminders to support successful licence renewal. Presentation Deck on TRUST by STB (opens in new tab) |
Session B2 - TA TRUST Training & Regulatory Updates | STB The session provided participants with an overview of the TA TRUST system, key regulatory requirements, and recent policy updates. Attendees also received practical guidance on using TRUST to fulfil licensing obligations and manage regulatory submissions more effectively. Presentation Deck on TRUST and TA Regulatory Updates by STB (opens in new tab) | Session D1 & D2 - TG Peer Learning: Storytelling and Tech Skills | Mr Toh Thiam Wei, Indie Singapore Tours The session explored how emerging technologies can enhance storytelling and help tourist guides elevate their craft. Through peer learning and practical examples, participants gained fresh perspectives on innovating their guiding experiences and strengthening their professional presence. |
C) Elevate Zone
For TAs: Vendor Showcases | For TGs: LEARN Booths |
|---|---|
Technology: TAs explored tech solutions to enhance their efficiency and competitiveness in their digital transformation. | Capability Building: Tourist guides explored capability-building opportunities through the STGS x AREU booth, featuring AI-powered biography writing, as well as LEARN opportunities offered by Approved Training Organisations (ATOs). |
About the Travel Agents and Tourist Guides Industry Forum
The Travel Agents and Tourist Guides Industry Forum is organised annually by STB for travel agents and tourist guides. It offers practical insights on the latest trends, fosters growth and promotes cross-sector collaboration.
Note: Data and insights presented above are based on information available up to TATGIF 2026 and may not reflect current developments. For the latest updates, please refer to Stan (opens in new tab) or contact STB for more information.