Robin Yap, PBM BBM Singapore
Robin Yap is Asia President of The Travel Corporation, a highly successful international travel group with 25 award winning brands. These include Insight Vacations, Trafalgar Tours, Contiki Holidays, Uniworld Cruises, Thompson Gateway Africa, Red Carnation Hotels and other leisure interests.Having spent 4 decades in the tourism industry, Robin has gained subject matter expertise in the travel and hospitality industry, providing advisory expertise on topics including but not limited to:
- Changing dynamics of the travel industry (innovation and technology, adult learning and certification, teambuilding and resource management)
- Responsible Tourism and global environment issues for the travel industry
- Organisational structure, business modelling, global best practices
Robin began his career with The Travel Corporation as Sales Executive of Insight Vacations for its General Sales Agent’s office in 1985. When the company opened its Asia offices in Singapore, Robin was appointed Managing Director for Insight Vacations (Asia). He has since held a variety of leadership positions within the company, ensuring the company's continued growth for the region.
Prior to joining Insight Vacations, Robin spent 10 years with Singapore Airlines and its subsidiary companies. During his tenure, he served in a variety of capacities including Technical Supplies in Engineering Division, Marketing, Tourism Development, Advertising & Promotion and Sales.
Robin was Deputy President of Singapore’s National Association of Travel Agents (NATAS) from 2006 to 2008. In his current role as a member of the Advisory Council of Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) Singapore Chapter and member of the Outbound Committee of NATAS, Robin continues to play an active role in engaging key stakeholders in the tourism industry.
Throughout his career, Robin has been deeply passionate about community work, education and sports. He is currently serving his seventh term as District Councillor of the Northwest Community Development Council and Patron of the Community Club Management Committee of Canberra Division of Sembawang GRC. He is also the found member and Advisor of Singapore Bhutan Foundation. He also served as Chairman of People’s Association’s Chingay Parade Marketing Advisory Committee (2003-2005)
For sports, he was Vice President and Head of the Sports Industry of the Singapore Bowling Federation from 2007 to 2017 where he actively promotes the sport as a family bonding and corporate networking activity in Singapore. Robin is currently Chairman of Singapore Bowling Pte Ltd, a business unit of Singapore Bowling Federation to help ensure that the National Sports Association can be financially independent while engaging more active participation and interest in bowling.
He strongly believes in adult learning and post-graduate education and currently serves as a member of the Management Council and Academic Board of East Asia School of Business (www.easb.edu.sg). He also served as Chairman of Tourism Management Institute of Singapore (2004 to 2008), Chairman of Chartered Institute of Marketing UK (Singapore Branch) (1999 to 2000) and Academic Board Member of Ngee Ann Polytechnic (1998 to 2008).
He holds professional qualifications in Marketing, Business Administration, Public Relations and Management from United Kingdom, Singapore and Australia. He obtained a Master of Business Administration (MBA) from University of Hull, UK in 1995. He is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Marketing, UK, The International Professional Managers Association, Marketing Council Asia and a CHARTERED MARKETER, CIMUK.
Robin was conferred the Pingat Bakti Masyarakat (Public Service Medal), PBM by the President of Singapore in 2010 and Community Long Service Award by the Mayor of Singapore in 2015 for rendering commendable public service in Singapore.
On 7th July 2017, Robin was conferred the prestigious Gold Medal for Tourism (“Médaille d’or du Tourisme”) from Atout France, the France tourism development agency. The award was presented by His Excellency Marc ABENSOUR, Ambassador of France to Singapore at his excellency’s residence.
The Tourism Medal was created in 1989 and is the most prestigious token of recognition awarded by the French Tourism Industry. It is described as an honorary award for outstanding and valuable professionalism, either in France or abroad, to those who have contributed throughout their career to the development of tourism in France. The medal is awarded to individuals either in France or abroad, and Robin Yap is the second person in Singapore to receive this honour
Robin was conferred the Bintang Bakti Masysrakat (Public Service Star) medal on Singapore 52nd National Day 2017 by the President of Singapore which carries a post-nominal letters BBM. The Bintang Bakti Masysrakat (Public Service Star), instituted in 1963 is awarded to any person who has rendered valuable public service to the people of Singapore. |
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John Boulding
‘The TravellingMan’ is our vehicle for publicly sharing the experiences and knowledge we’ve accumulated over 40 years as a global travellers, travel insiders and senior industry executives. We’ll bring colour and life to travel videos, keynote speaking, presentations, conference moderating, media presenting and blogging, through dramatic storytelling, insightful commentary and good humour.
