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Focal Travel
101 Up Cross St #B1-62 Peoples Pk Centre
64386950
-5 votes | 57 reviews | 
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Users review of this Travel agent
SK wrote on 1 February 2012
Tour Guide
• Brought us to our first optional meal on the first night without informing us that it is an optional meal. We have never agreed the optional meals yet. We are not given a choice to choose. Collected 60K Won from each of us for optional meals on the 1st night.
• Brought us to ‘local-food tax-free shops’ which sell the exact things and are much more expensive than those sold at the Korea airport.
• Brought us to only low-end food for tourists and claims it is authentic Korea food and brushes us off to say those are Korean food. Almost every meal is hot pot with cabbages. There is no variety.
• Out of 6 mornings, we only had our breakfast in the hotel once. The rest of morning meals, we ate out at some mass tourist restaurants which don’t even have coffee or juice for breakfast. In the first morning meal out, the bread is sour. And the team leader Mr Aw even kept quiet.
Usually if we stayed for the night at a hotel we would have breakfast in that hotel. But this is not the case in Korea, and we are very disappointed they brought us to lousy food.
• Promises us Sotong (included in the optional meals items), which he just keep quiet and never gave us during the trip despite constant asking.
• Only upon ‘threatening’ him that we would file a complaint, then he refund us 12K Won each for the 3rd optional meal, which we are supposed to eat at the airport.
Team Leader
• Before departure at Changi Airport, Mr Aw proudly claims he offers the best service when it is more for the customers to judge.
• Fails to fight the rights for us. When we show our dissatisfaction, he just brushes us off and says anything can go back and complain. This is not providing customer orientated service.
• We are told the trip schedule is opposite as planned, as such we go to Seoul and Jeju island last, which is Jeju island first and Seoul last in the original schedule. As such, we spent the Chinese New Year’s quiet period in Seoul missing out the shopping places. Reason given is because they didn’t manage to book the hotels in advance. Should we customers be informed about this before the trip?
• In the bus, in midst of all customers’ dissatisfaction, Mr Aw says he is even more hot tempered in the past, and has cooled down a lot already. Why should we even care about his temper is good or not in the past? This reflects badly on him. He is not tactful in his words
• One of the worst Team leaders we have encountered.
• Asks us to file complains when back in Singapore and fails to offer help immediately.
• After the first night stay, he told us that he was so hardworking that he didn’t sleep the night because he is thinking of the seating arrangement for dinning. And he didn’t even realise this is a joke of himself as a so-called experienced Team leader which he claimed to be.
• Made us wait at the airport before check-in because he wants to re-arrange seatings when going from Korea to HongKong. This shows a lack of experience of being a Tour Team leader. He could have do the re-arrangement after we check-in. Ended up with very little time, we all cannot shop or eat our lunch inside the airport. Even the food court food look more enticing than those served during our tour. And there are lots of varieties, instead of just hotpot with cabbages. This trip experience is really bad.
• In the bus, Mr Aw even says the $2 per head per day is service charge and not tips for himself. Is this sentence necessary? It only makes himself look worse.
• The experience of this Korea trip is of the same standard as those of low-end China trips, where we are the carrot heads to be mis-informed, brushed off with wrong information. We feel cheated.
• It might be Mr Aw’s personal perspective that he is providing the best service and living in a world of his own that he didn’t know the customers are unhappy. He should have been aware of customers’ dissatisfaction and try to solve any unpleasant things that arise during the trip. Instead, he thinks he provide very good service.
• I have told the tour guide, and Mr Aw to search their conscious if they want this kind of tour service themselves if they are the customers and have paid for this trip. They keep quiet.
Personally, I am ok with low-end for tourists food, but don’t bully us too much and serve sour bread, brushes us off to say Korea food are not much of varieties. It is also Mr Aw’s blunt responses to other customers that I find it agitating that I have to write in to inform Mr Aw and Focal Travel.
• Brought us to our first optional meal on the first night without informing us that it is an optional meal. We have never agreed the optional meals yet. We are not given a choice to choose. Collected 60K Won from each of us for optional meals on the 1st night.
• Brought us to ‘local-food tax-free shops’ which sell the exact things and are much more expensive than those sold at the Korea airport.
• Brought us to only low-end food for tourists and claims it is authentic Korea food and brushes us off to say those are Korean food. Almost every meal is hot pot with cabbages. There is no variety.
• Out of 6 mornings, we only had our breakfast in the hotel once. The rest of morning meals, we ate out at some mass tourist restaurants which don’t even have coffee or juice for breakfast. In the first morning meal out, the bread is sour. And the team leader Mr Aw even kept quiet.
Usually if we stayed for the night at a hotel we would have breakfast in that hotel. But this is not the case in Korea, and we are very disappointed they brought us to lousy food.
• Promises us Sotong (included in the optional meals items), which he just keep quiet and never gave us during the trip despite constant asking.
• Only upon ‘threatening’ him that we would file a complaint, then he refund us 12K Won each for the 3rd optional meal, which we are supposed to eat at the airport.
Team Leader
• Before departure at Changi Airport, Mr Aw proudly claims he offers the best service when it is more for the customers to judge.
• Fails to fight the rights for us. When we show our dissatisfaction, he just brushes us off and says anything can go back and complain. This is not providing customer orientated service.
• We are told the trip schedule is opposite as planned, as such we go to Seoul and Jeju island last, which is Jeju island first and Seoul last in the original schedule. As such, we spent the Chinese New Year’s quiet period in Seoul missing out the shopping places. Reason given is because they didn’t manage to book the hotels in advance. Should we customers be informed about this before the trip?
• In the bus, in midst of all customers’ dissatisfaction, Mr Aw says he is even more hot tempered in the past, and has cooled down a lot already. Why should we even care about his temper is good or not in the past? This reflects badly on him. He is not tactful in his words
• One of the worst Team leaders we have encountered.
• Asks us to file complains when back in Singapore and fails to offer help immediately.
• After the first night stay, he told us that he was so hardworking that he didn’t sleep the night because he is thinking of the seating arrangement for dinning. And he didn’t even realise this is a joke of himself as a so-called experienced Team leader which he claimed to be.
• Made us wait at the airport before check-in because he wants to re-arrange seatings when going from Korea to HongKong. This shows a lack of experience of being a Tour Team leader. He could have do the re-arrangement after we check-in. Ended up with very little time, we all cannot shop or eat our lunch inside the airport. Even the food court food look more enticing than those served during our tour. And there are lots of varieties, instead of just hotpot with cabbages. This trip experience is really bad.
• In the bus, Mr Aw even says the $2 per head per day is service charge and not tips for himself. Is this sentence necessary? It only makes himself look worse.
• The experience of this Korea trip is of the same standard as those of low-end China trips, where we are the carrot heads to be mis-informed, brushed off with wrong information. We feel cheated.
• It might be Mr Aw’s personal perspective that he is providing the best service and living in a world of his own that he didn’t know the customers are unhappy. He should have been aware of customers’ dissatisfaction and try to solve any unpleasant things that arise during the trip. Instead, he thinks he provide very good service.
• I have told the tour guide, and Mr Aw to search their conscious if they want this kind of tour service themselves if they are the customers and have paid for this trip. They keep quiet.
Personally, I am ok with low-end for tourists food, but don’t bully us too much and serve sour bread, brushes us off to say Korea food are not much of varieties. It is also Mr Aw’s blunt responses to other customers that I find it agitating that I have to write in to inform Mr Aw and Focal Travel.
SK wrote on 1 February 2012
Booked Chinese NEW year 2012 to Korea 7 days + HK 2 days.
The team leader Mr Aw sucks and the whole experience is very bad. We nv even had breakfast in the hotel after night stays there. Brought us to restaurants crowded by China people and we were surved sour bread in Korea.
The team leader Mr Aw sucks and the whole experience is very bad. We nv even had breakfast in the hotel after night stays there. Brought us to restaurants crowded by China people and we were surved sour bread in Korea.
Si wrote on 25 December 2011
Beware of their offer package to Taiwan!
Lawrence wrote on 24 December 2011
Focal Travel really suck! Brought the offer package to Taiwan,only to realize that the hotel offer to us was a budget hotel.To make things worse they would not even bother to change the hotel for you even if you are willing to pay the additional charges.Thank you Focal travel,this will be my last time my family will book a tour with your company.
BH wrote on 26 July 2011
I just cut it short and sweet.
Have booked a 8 days tour package with them last December. It ended with my entire group coming back with complaints (my complaint letter was 5 pages long starting from day 1) and eventually we gotten only $100 refund for each person after nearly 6mths. Their taiwanese tour operator sucks BIG TIME. I ended up checking in for my entire tour group at the last day. The tour guide just drop us off at the airport and went home.
Have booked a 8 days tour package with them last December. It ended with my entire group coming back with complaints (my complaint letter was 5 pages long starting from day 1) and eventually we gotten only $100 refund for each person after nearly 6mths. Their taiwanese tour operator sucks BIG TIME. I ended up checking in for my entire tour group at the last day. The tour guide just drop us off at the airport and went home.
A. W. Wong wrote on 1 June 2011
My tour to Chiangmai and Bangkok on 10-16 May and prior to my departure I told the focal not to indicate the statement for tips,ie Bahts per person which is absurb, tips will be given on good service and should not indicate the amount.
In chiangmai the tour guide accepts the amount I gave, but the trVEL AGENT fOREVER tRAVEL Services Co. Insisted I should baht 700 for 7 persons, this is like threatening. This
travel agent had done nothing only sens us to Hotel and to Airport, of which I can use taxi to transport and I dont need a travel agent. Dear All please take precaution and ensure focal should
not indaicate the amount of tips in the Voucher. Anyway the services provided is not good at all.
In chiangmai the tour guide accepts the amount I gave, but the trVEL AGENT fOREVER tRAVEL Services Co. Insisted I should baht 700 for 7 persons, this is like threatening. This
travel agent had done nothing only sens us to Hotel and to Airport, of which I can use taxi to transport and I dont need a travel agent. Dear All please take precaution and ensure focal should
not indaicate the amount of tips in the Voucher. Anyway the services provided is not good at all.
A. W. Wong wrote on 1 June 2011
My tour to Chiangmai and Bangkok on 10-16 May and prior to my departure I told the focal not to indicate the statement for tips,ie Bahts per person which is absurb, tips will be given on good service and should not indicate the amount.
In chiangmai the tour guide accepts the amount I gave, but the trVEL AGENT fOREVER tRAVEL Services Co. Insisted I should baht 700 for 7 persons, this is like threatening. This
travel agent had done nothing only sens us to Hotel and to Airport, of which I can use taxi to transport and I dont need a travel agent. Dear All please take precaution and ensure focal should
not indaicate the amount of tips in the Voucher. Anyway the services provided is not good at all.
In chiangmai the tour guide accepts the amount I gave, but the trVEL AGENT fOREVER tRAVEL Services Co. Insisted I should baht 700 for 7 persons, this is like threatening. This
travel agent had done nothing only sens us to Hotel and to Airport, of which I can use taxi to transport and I dont need a travel agent. Dear All please take precaution and ensure focal should
not indaicate the amount of tips in the Voucher. Anyway the services provided is not good at all.
A. W. Wong wrote on 1 June 2011
My tour to Chiangmai and Bangkok on 10-16 May and prior to my departure I told the focal not to indicate the statement for tips,ie Bahts per person which is absurb, tips will be given on good service and should not indicate the amount.
In chiangmai the tour guide accepts the amount I gave, but the trVEL AGENT fOREVER tRAVEL Services Co. Insisted I should baht 700 for 7 persons, this is like threatening. This
travel agent had done nothing only sens us to Hotel and to Airport, of which I can use taxi to transport and I dont need a travel agent. Dear All please take precaution and ensure focal should
not indaicate the amount of tips in the Voucher. Anyway the services provided is not good at all.
In chiangmai the tour guide accepts the amount I gave, but the trVEL AGENT fOREVER tRAVEL Services Co. Insisted I should baht 700 for 7 persons, this is like threatening. This
travel agent had done nothing only sens us to Hotel and to Airport, of which I can use taxi to transport and I dont need a travel agent. Dear All please take precaution and ensure focal should
not indaicate the amount of tips in the Voucher. Anyway the services provided is not good at all.
tan wrote on 16 May 2011
just booked a free and easy tour from the agency in april, supposed to leave on monday night. I had my bag packed and took off day on monday to settle my stuff before leaving. few hours before leaving my house, i decided to do an internet check in to choose my seats, but my flight number was invalid. I tried to type in reference number instead and was surprise that my flight was on tues morning instead of monday night. called agency and the lady told me that the monday flight was cancelled so we were put on the tuesday flight...
i understand that sometimes flight are cancelled, but why aren't we informed? i will not have taken my leave on monday... imagine if i never call them? I will only know when i attempt to check in on monday at the airport...
when i confronted them, the lady who can only speak chinese... told me they never see that is why miss out informing us etc... etc... apologise... i ask her what to do, she can only apologise
that is all focal do, pay already forget about you. i am not angry that the flight was cancelled but pissed off that i was not informed !!!
never go back again... till now no one call me back to explain anything or any follow up... bad service...
i understand that sometimes flight are cancelled, but why aren't we informed? i will not have taken my leave on monday... imagine if i never call them? I will only know when i attempt to check in on monday at the airport...
when i confronted them, the lady who can only speak chinese... told me they never see that is why miss out informing us etc... etc... apologise... i ask her what to do, she can only apologise
that is all focal do, pay already forget about you. i am not angry that the flight was cancelled but pissed off that i was not informed !!!
never go back again... till now no one call me back to explain anything or any follow up... bad service...
opstll wrote on 30 April 2011
zhangjiajie trip was ok. our group of six broaded the victoria cruise was upgraded to deluxe suite. Thanks to all.
Cynthia wrote on 24 March 2011
just came across this website. surprised to see so many negative reviews on focal travel.
glad mine went well. our trip was last year 7D taiwan + 2N HK. There is no Singapore tour guide. Our group is about 15 pax. But the Taiwan Guide is really funny and he really does his job well and would give us suggestions to change the itinerary to what he thinks is better but he does not push it upon us.
our HK hotel was SUPPOSED to be at harbour city at some really ulu area near airport according to our itinerary. However, upon reaching HK airport, the guide mentioned they upgraded hotel of us at TST. And it's quite New Hotel with really comfy beds and free shuttle bus to MTR ! =)
Anyway, am not at all affialited with Focal. Just thought to review on my trip which I was satisfied. =)
glad mine went well. our trip was last year 7D taiwan + 2N HK. There is no Singapore tour guide. Our group is about 15 pax. But the Taiwan Guide is really funny and he really does his job well and would give us suggestions to change the itinerary to what he thinks is better but he does not push it upon us.
our HK hotel was SUPPOSED to be at harbour city at some really ulu area near airport according to our itinerary. However, upon reaching HK airport, the guide mentioned they upgraded hotel of us at TST. And it's quite New Hotel with really comfy beds and free shuttle bus to MTR ! =)
Anyway, am not at all affialited with Focal. Just thought to review on my trip which I was satisfied. =)
Lee wrote on 21 March 2011
I will never use Focal Travel again.
No complaints about the local tour guide at our destination, but the service from Focal office in Singapore was very bad.
They quoted different prices depending on which "consultant" you speak to, were highly inefficient, then expected us to run down to their office again and again to collect tickets/vouchers. They failed to give us all tickets/vouchers, then refused to reimburse us for expenses we then had to incur, which others got free, because we refused to run down again and again to pick up all the bits and pieces which should have been ready on the day they told us to go down to their office.
In short,
-inconsistent prices (is this becuase consultants get commissions based on the price he/she manages to sell the package for?)
-inefficient & then pushed blame to others (blamed the destination agency for it)
-bad service
-very poor customer relations
Once you have paid the deposit, they know they have got you!
Be warned!
No complaints about the local tour guide at our destination, but the service from Focal office in Singapore was very bad.
They quoted different prices depending on which "consultant" you speak to, were highly inefficient, then expected us to run down to their office again and again to collect tickets/vouchers. They failed to give us all tickets/vouchers, then refused to reimburse us for expenses we then had to incur, which others got free, because we refused to run down again and again to pick up all the bits and pieces which should have been ready on the day they told us to go down to their office.
In short,
-inconsistent prices (is this becuase consultants get commissions based on the price he/she manages to sell the package for?)
-inefficient & then pushed blame to others (blamed the destination agency for it)
-bad service
-very poor customer relations
Once you have paid the deposit, they know they have got you!
Be warned!
Angry wrote on 21 February 2011
We joined the 7 days beijing trip during cny, we have been forced to joined the OPTIONAL TOUR by the CHINA tour guide. What;s the "Optional tour" mean? Very angry with this, the tour guide keep mentioned that he has been forced by the agent and if we don't pay, he need to top up by himself, all bullshit. The optional tour is not cheap somemore!!!
Yvon wrote on 22 December 2010
Dear All, just a reminder don't get cheated by the free hongkong stay provided by Focal Travel. I had very bad experience with them. Initially it was stated that they will book "harbour city hotel" whereby there is some stores near the hotel. But when I made the final payment, they told me that due to the peak season, they booked for me L Hotel in Aberdeen... Worse still, there isn't any 7-eleven store or food stall near the hotel... And me with my family member survived with cup noodles instead..Therefore I urge everybody don't get cheated by them with the offering of free 2 nites stay in Hongkong....
Hello Miss wrote on 18 December 2010
Can you pick up the phone,When pax call in.
Mrs Chew WY wrote on 25 October 2010
I am looking for korea family trip on next June Holliday... Any good recommendation? Which travel agent i should look for??
Maureen Tan wrote on 6 September 2010
Please don\'t book China tours with Focal. They did not of hidden tour guide tips when I went to Chengde from Beijing. Even S$10 also want to cheat me!!!! Don\'t always assume people know the norm when I already mentioned it\'s my first to China. Now still settling issue of refund etc. Handled by GM cos the director of sales gave me stupid replies \" We do not engage overseas partners who would use force to do sales. These are just tactics... You can always call our emergency number if there is any displeasure experienced over there.\"
Please tell me how would the agency do that if the tour guides \"take revenge\" for complaining???
Senselss comments
Please tell me how would the agency do that if the tour guides \"take revenge\" for complaining???
Senselss comments
J Lee wrote on 2 September 2010
booked 7 days taiwan n free 2 nights hongkong before reading these reviews. Was attended by Alvie at focal travel. she was friendly n polite. getting worried after reading all the negative reviews.
Alarming wrote on 9 August 2010
is there service still as bad? No improvement at all? Am actually thinking of enrolling their Beijing Tour as it seems quite complete and cheap. But after readign the reviews, it was like WOW... what a reputation. Anyone out there actually join their China Tour before?
Maureen Tan wrote on 2 August 2010
Lousy service in the sense that Focal Travel did not inform us that my Beijing trip was a shopping tour.The china tour guide and driver brought us to 8-9 places where we were trapped in a room and kena hard selling tactics by the sales people there! Only when we purchase something, we were allowed to leave the place. Our tour guide and driver grumbled that we did not purchase enough and hence this would affect their rice bowls...what rubbish words! I am here to enjoy myself not to be forced to buy robbery priced items which I have no use for, eg silk bedsheets at $300++???!!! Will take the case to NATAS and CASE
Mrs Shirley Chew wrote on 2 July 2010
I've booked my anniversary trip on Apr'10 ~ 8 days Taiwan & HKG with Ellie,who's attended to me..So far i could say that her service is very good,very polite & friendly. I am very satisfield with her service & highly recommend them for reliability. Thumbs up to Ellie! (^_^)
Traveller wrote on 24 June 2010
I would say a very good tour.. Been with it, the tour guide is so friendly and always on time. Cheaper than most others.. Service and itinerary good.. Nth is bad.
Worried wrote on 21 June 2010
Hi!! Is there anybody who had traveled with Focal Travel Agent recently?
Any improvements with their service or tour guides?
I am planning to book with the for the 7D Taiwan+2N Hong Kong, but is worried after reading all the negative comments. Any advice.
Any improvements with their service or tour guides?
I am planning to book with the for the 7D Taiwan+2N Hong Kong, but is worried after reading all the negative comments. Any advice.
Pissed!! wrote on 12 April 2010
I am VERY DISAPPOINTED with Focal Travel even before i go on my travel trip!
Their service are really bad and like what some of you experience, i did not receive any news of collection and have to email or call them. The worse thing is, they will not even reply or acknowledged your email!
When they finally did call, the next thing i get from them is that i am suppose to wait for another 2 person (who will board a much later flight to Beijing) at the hotel before the whole itinerary can start. Isn't it ridiculous!?
Of course i am not happy about it and i make a big fuss over it, thereafter they called and said they will change my 1st day itinerary to F&E, and postpone the initial itinerary for 1st day to 3rd or 4th day so as to match up with the 2 persons whom my family and i have to wait for.
With such last min new arrangement, i am afraid the schedules might be too pack for the 3rd & 4th day, but what can i do now but to follow.
As such, i will urge others to THINK TWICE before signing any package with this travel agency!
Their service are really bad and like what some of you experience, i did not receive any news of collection and have to email or call them. The worse thing is, they will not even reply or acknowledged your email!
When they finally did call, the next thing i get from them is that i am suppose to wait for another 2 person (who will board a much later flight to Beijing) at the hotel before the whole itinerary can start. Isn't it ridiculous!?
Of course i am not happy about it and i make a big fuss over it, thereafter they called and said they will change my 1st day itinerary to F&E, and postpone the initial itinerary for 1st day to 3rd or 4th day so as to match up with the 2 persons whom my family and i have to wait for.
With such last min new arrangement, i am afraid the schedules might be too pack for the 3rd & 4th day, but what can i do now but to follow.
As such, i will urge others to THINK TWICE before signing any package with this travel agency!
Michael and Family wrote on 19 January 2010
We have just return fro a 10 days tour of Taiwan/HK thru Focal. Frankly, I was quite shocked to read all those negative comments about Focal but was glad that our trip was a memorable one. Especially the different comments about Simon Lim, I am sure that we are talking about the same person after seeing the HP being written with it. As some mentioned, if it is Simon Lim to be my guide, I will go again especially with the combination of Yap in Taiwan. When we found out a couple of times that Lim was in fact sitting alone in the lobby after distributing our rooms before going back for his rest, his reason simply just to sit and wait for half an hour just in case any of the group has problem. One thing that impressed me the most is, arranging rooms in details way before we reaches the hotel each night. No waiting and no time wasted at all but simply read out yr room in the bus and collect key at the counter and straight to the room to rest, that's hard work. After years of going for tour, in fact this was is the best trip ever, not forgetting to mention YAP of Taiwan too. He made the whole trip perfect with Simon by making sure that we enjoy every second of the day. Have Simon Lim from Sin and Yap from Taiwan as tour guides for Taiwan tour, bet on it and you will never regret.
LPP wrote on 29 December 2009
Just came back from 6D5N Winter Korea with Focal. Service from guide name Mr Dai (Middle age China Man) and camera man name Charlie was lazy and money digger.
Always only informed us last minutes when reached destination. Family with young children need more time to put on coat and full gear before alighting coach. When we got down the coach, he was nowhere to be seen, did not know which direction or building he had entered.
Lazy as hardly spend time to share culture/info about tourist attraction, most of time chatting with Charlie. Always only comment about how bad was the traffic jam on the street. Never checked if we needed to add rice, we had to request everymeal.
Collected tip personally from our hotel room, poor service yet demand for full tips. My colleage who travelled with Genting Holiday and 5-Star had option to pay MORE or LESS tips based on their satisfaction level with the guide in an envelope.
Lastly, most unhappy was about Charlie the photographer, he force us to buy the whole set of photo selected by him. All 5 other Korea trip made by my colleages could select the photo they liked. Likewise during my 1st Korea trip with Chan Brothers. Inside my set of photo, there were photo that didn\'t belong to my family and some duplication. All our tour members were shock with the forced photo purchased and asked the guide to allow us to choose those we liked. Mr Dai just replied (not even looking at us) to try and support Charlie. Ultimately we got 10% discount after negotiation. These were totally day light robbery. Paying >$100 for unprofessional photo taken. Everyone was quiet after paying the photo and the guide had the cheek to ask what happened, why suddenly the mood change.
On our final 1/2 day trip before going to the airport, Mr Dai was replaced by a lady colleage cause he had some personal matter to attend. The lady
service was huge contrast to Mr Dai. She gave information on tourist attractions and would inform 5-10 minutes before alighting at our next attraction spot.
Only 1 thing bad about the lady guide was she had poor time management. She didnt hurried a family from shopping on our way to the airport. They was late by 30 minutes. We reached the airport very late for checking-in. We almost couldn\'t repacked our coat inside our luggage.
Last trip with Focal Travel for sure.
Always only informed us last minutes when reached destination. Family with young children need more time to put on coat and full gear before alighting coach. When we got down the coach, he was nowhere to be seen, did not know which direction or building he had entered.
Lazy as hardly spend time to share culture/info about tourist attraction, most of time chatting with Charlie. Always only comment about how bad was the traffic jam on the street. Never checked if we needed to add rice, we had to request everymeal.
Collected tip personally from our hotel room, poor service yet demand for full tips. My colleage who travelled with Genting Holiday and 5-Star had option to pay MORE or LESS tips based on their satisfaction level with the guide in an envelope.
Lastly, most unhappy was about Charlie the photographer, he force us to buy the whole set of photo selected by him. All 5 other Korea trip made by my colleages could select the photo they liked. Likewise during my 1st Korea trip with Chan Brothers. Inside my set of photo, there were photo that didn\'t belong to my family and some duplication. All our tour members were shock with the forced photo purchased and asked the guide to allow us to choose those we liked. Mr Dai just replied (not even looking at us) to try and support Charlie. Ultimately we got 10% discount after negotiation. These were totally day light robbery. Paying >$100 for unprofessional photo taken. Everyone was quiet after paying the photo and the guide had the cheek to ask what happened, why suddenly the mood change.
On our final 1/2 day trip before going to the airport, Mr Dai was replaced by a lady colleage cause he had some personal matter to attend. The lady
service was huge contrast to Mr Dai. She gave information on tourist attractions and would inform 5-10 minutes before alighting at our next attraction spot.
Only 1 thing bad about the lady guide was she had poor time management. She didnt hurried a family from shopping on our way to the airport. They was late by 30 minutes. We reached the airport very late for checking-in. We almost couldn\'t repacked our coat inside our luggage.
Last trip with Focal Travel for sure.
awesome wrote on 4 September 2009
Most tour operators who had bad names (in the market)might open up another agency. If they change the soup, the base is still the same. So, please, if you want to be in this line and \"ton jiak\" satisfy the customers. They will come again. Otherwise, you just add business to your counterparts in the bigger firm.
Louis Ng wrote on 15 June 2009
We just returned from 5 days Chiang Mai tour organized through Focal Travel and would like to warn future travellers about our bad experience.
We found that different people on board the same tour paid different price even though through same travel agent ( we paid the most ). The worst thing is that we received the WORST package and we would herded to the last 2 rows of the plane whereas some counter parts who pays less got the seats further up front.
We also had to PAY for 2 additional meals on our own whereas our counterparts who paid less got buffer at the hotel...
My family was BADLY impacted by having to be left OUT of the meal!, and FELT like SECOND class travellers... and VERY CHEATED as we PAID more and when we LOOK at the TOUR ITENARY for the SAME FOCAL TRAVEL company on the SAME TOUR paying cheaper PRICE having BETTER itinery...and better plane seats..
To the tour leader from GOOD SEASONS they ONLY looked at the itinery and probably think that we good some special deal compared to the better itenary group...
Never again, we told ourselve will we TAKE another FOCAL TRAVEL tour...
We do not know HOW a tour agent can issue different itineries with the better itinery at a cheaper price without concern on how it will impact the participants...
Really goes to show a total LACK of sensitivities to the travellers feelings and punish loyal customer for booking early...
We found that different people on board the same tour paid different price even though through same travel agent ( we paid the most ). The worst thing is that we received the WORST package and we would herded to the last 2 rows of the plane whereas some counter parts who pays less got the seats further up front.
We also had to PAY for 2 additional meals on our own whereas our counterparts who paid less got buffer at the hotel...
My family was BADLY impacted by having to be left OUT of the meal!, and FELT like SECOND class travellers... and VERY CHEATED as we PAID more and when we LOOK at the TOUR ITENARY for the SAME FOCAL TRAVEL company on the SAME TOUR paying cheaper PRICE having BETTER itinery...and better plane seats..
To the tour leader from GOOD SEASONS they ONLY looked at the itinery and probably think that we good some special deal compared to the better itenary group...
Never again, we told ourselve will we TAKE another FOCAL TRAVEL tour...
We do not know HOW a tour agent can issue different itineries with the better itinery at a cheaper price without concern on how it will impact the participants...
Really goes to show a total LACK of sensitivities to the travellers feelings and punish loyal customer for booking early...
Angry!!! wrote on 3 April 2009
Focal simply have super lousy service. not happy end up angry... why pay to get pissed... Will never join their tour even if it free
The Insider wrote on 1 March 2009
This is true. I always go travelling every year at least twice and i never patronise them. Thats why I am not so hard up for all the big advertisement by all these agents as many of them a gimmicks. I rather pay more and I get the things I am happy with. Not very much more, rather than to waste the whole among to drain if get not what i want. So far, I gave very good experiences with YEN in Travel GSH in the basement of Peoples Park Centre and Sabestian from An An Travel next to Travel GSH. These two gave very personalise service.
RL wrote on 26 February 2009
Just happen to pop into this site to check on the reviews before i book another trip with them, from what i've read so far, it seems to imply that those positive reviews are assumingly posted by workers of focal while those which are negative are 100% true(?)
FYI I did enjoy myself on that particular trip with them. I feel that unhappy incident do happen anywhere/anytime regardless of which agency as nobody/nothing is perfect. When you are with a big tour group, you're bound to meet all kinds of people with different personalities/culture, it all depends on our luck and many other factors. I feel sorry for those of you who spend so much and yet gain such unhappy memories of your trip.
If this agency is so bad to the extend whereby everyone who went on a trip with them SHOULD HAVE(as implied on this site) bad expereinces, it would have fold up long long ago.
My conclusion: dont take any of the reviews/remarks here seriously.
P/s: BTW do not post positive remarks here for you'll be assumed to be a focal staff or in anyway related to them ^_^
FYI I did enjoy myself on that particular trip with them. I feel that unhappy incident do happen anywhere/anytime regardless of which agency as nobody/nothing is perfect. When you are with a big tour group, you're bound to meet all kinds of people with different personalities/culture, it all depends on our luck and many other factors. I feel sorry for those of you who spend so much and yet gain such unhappy memories of your trip.
If this agency is so bad to the extend whereby everyone who went on a trip with them SHOULD HAVE(as implied on this site) bad expereinces, it would have fold up long long ago.
My conclusion: dont take any of the reviews/remarks here seriously.
P/s: BTW do not post positive remarks here for you'll be assumed to be a focal staff or in anyway related to them ^_^
xem wrote on 24 February 2009
Focal sucks
Jean/(or perhaps Jerina, Manger of focal travel)
Pls view actual pic here before u make any disgusting comment.
http://antifocal.blogspot.com/
Since u like these food so much hope u will get all these treatment and food for all of the rest of ur trips.
ENJOY!
Jean/(or perhaps Jerina, Manger of focal travel)
Pls view actual pic here before u make any disgusting comment.
http://antifocal.blogspot.com/
Since u like these food so much hope u will get all these treatment and food for all of the rest of ur trips.
ENJOY!
DUPED wrote on 24 February 2009
Some update:
Including Aunty Dor* Family, we have total 13 out of 19 people in the same tour unpleased with this 6Day Korea \'SLEEPING\' not Gems trip.
It seem so weird that everytime someone share their painful experience, there be a rebuter .
if it is true, I think Focal Staffs are very despicable to pose as visitor to reprimand victims of this focal travel.
Perhap TravelAgents/STB can check their IP address.. and ban they from putting good word for themselves & to distort other Painful Truthful Experience.
How can anyone with conscience and ethic not only distorted the truth but also put the blame on the victims?
IT BEEN AlMOST A MONTH AND THEY DID NOT GIVE US ANY EXPLANATION NOR COMPENSATION FOR THE FOOD YET!
Including Aunty Dor* Family, we have total 13 out of 19 people in the same tour unpleased with this 6Day Korea \'SLEEPING\' not Gems trip.
It seem so weird that everytime someone share their painful experience, there be a rebuter .
if it is true, I think Focal Staffs are very despicable to pose as visitor to reprimand victims of this focal travel.
Perhap TravelAgents/STB can check their IP address.. and ban they from putting good word for themselves & to distort other Painful Truthful Experience.
How can anyone with conscience and ethic not only distorted the truth but also put the blame on the victims?
IT BEEN AlMOST A MONTH AND THEY DID NOT GIVE US ANY EXPLANATION NOR COMPENSATION FOR THE FOOD YET!
Don\'t get cheated! wrote on 23 February 2009
Don't get cheated like we did!
We booked their 6+2days to Korea & HK for $1468.
Had a horrifying experience in Korea.
In HK, stayed at ulu place in Sha Tin area.
We booked their 6+2days to Korea & HK for $1468.
Had a horrifying experience in Korea.
In HK, stayed at ulu place in Sha Tin area.
sweetie wrote on 20 February 2009
better dun book with them lor .. so many negative feedback .. wonder how they could screw up so many times .. bad personal experience with them before also for the taiwan trip.
kris wrote on 20 February 2009
my friend and i went to focal travel agent @people park complex. we booked 5D4N free and easy to HongKong. Their service average. just that most of the employee from china. Most of them dont understand english. when i ask one of their staff about the hotel. She replied in mandarin.
sleepy wrote on 19 February 2009
People share their feedback and experience differently. What they share are truthful..
What rights does Miss Jean (possibly from Focal travel) have to critisize other people are treating it as a ranting platform?
I am glad I came across this. I am definately not going to sign any package with this travel agency in the upcoming travel fair.
What rights does Miss Jean (possibly from Focal travel) have to critisize other people are treating it as a ranting platform?
I am glad I came across this. I am definately not going to sign any package with this travel agency in the upcoming travel fair.
Disappointed! wrote on 16 February 2009
Horrible experience!!! Basically, I think no words can describe the horrifying experience we had during CNY 2009 with Focal Travel.
No explanation given after 10 people complain about FOOD!!!!
Jean, from the psychological point of view, you seems to be another Focal employee. Frankly, the tour guide did tell us (we are in the same group as XEM, KN & AM) that he wants to go back to the hotel to rest!
If only someone recorded his loud & clear message (yes he used a mike)!!!!
Simply terrible service attitude!!!
No explanation given after 10 people complain about FOOD!!!!
Jean, from the psychological point of view, you seems to be another Focal employee. Frankly, the tour guide did tell us (we are in the same group as XEM, KN & AM) that he wants to go back to the hotel to rest!
If only someone recorded his loud & clear message (yes he used a mike)!!!!
Simply terrible service attitude!!!
AM wrote on 16 February 2009
I think the problem with this FOCAL travel is that they tend to cover up for each other and do not admit their fault. That why there is no improvement over the years!
I can also verify that XEM & KN said is true. . Can check with the Singapore Tour Leader who named KAREN TENG Email: karenteng@focaltravel.com.sg Tel: 63563033/63561766
Angela, Vivian, RL & Jean Seem to be workers of Focal.
Jean, perhap u should take a look of the pic posted to ur colleague Jerina before you even make any comment or are you Jerina urself?
Is Korea BBQ not grilled and suppose to be squid in water? What a joke! But korea guide insist that that is Korean BBQ. And also we did feedback in korea and the food taste awful. Check with Karen Teng. She herself told us that is not Korean BBQ and we will have it later but we never.
Neither did we eat any Daejanggum meal nor Shabu Shabu stated in the itinerary. Stop lying and give us a truthful explanation.
So if any1 is late you mean the bus should not wait for them, i hope you will kanna this kind of experience soon and you can comment on how it feel. I know that XEM mother had a fall that day earlier morning it is forgivable that she cannot walk fast and also lost that why was late. the tour guide and leader knew abt her fall also and other tour member had urge them to wait awhile but they refused and drove off.
Per my knowledge, 10 out 19 tour member complained and Focal yet to give any explaination.
I can also verify that XEM & KN said is true. . Can check with the Singapore Tour Leader who named KAREN TENG Email: karenteng@focaltravel.com.sg Tel: 63563033/63561766
Angela, Vivian, RL & Jean Seem to be workers of Focal.
Jean, perhap u should take a look of the pic posted to ur colleague Jerina before you even make any comment or are you Jerina urself?
Is Korea BBQ not grilled and suppose to be squid in water? What a joke! But korea guide insist that that is Korean BBQ. And also we did feedback in korea and the food taste awful. Check with Karen Teng. She herself told us that is not Korean BBQ and we will have it later but we never.
Neither did we eat any Daejanggum meal nor Shabu Shabu stated in the itinerary. Stop lying and give us a truthful explanation.
So if any1 is late you mean the bus should not wait for them, i hope you will kanna this kind of experience soon and you can comment on how it feel. I know that XEM mother had a fall that day earlier morning it is forgivable that she cannot walk fast and also lost that why was late. the tour guide and leader knew abt her fall also and other tour member had urge them to wait awhile but they refused and drove off.
Per my knowledge, 10 out 19 tour member complained and Focal yet to give any explaination.
KN wrote on 14 February 2009
Hi Jean,I guess you must be working in Focal Travel if not you will not have gone to help Focal explain in such a way. We are 1 of the tour mate for the CNY Korea tour same as Xem. All that she have mention was true. You were not in tour group hence its unfair of you to comment in such a way. For your infomation fortunately 1 of the sisters bought their parents back to the bus, if not I could not image how their parent are able to make their way back to the hotel.
Food wise was of course a disappointment, as food items promise in the itinerary were of course just 1 of the gimmick for us to sign the package, we did not get to eat what they have mention in the itinerary.
Food wise was of course a disappointment, as food items promise in the itinerary were of course just 1 of the gimmick for us to sign the package, we did not get to eat what they have mention in the itinerary.
Jean Chi wrote on 13 February 2009
Hi, I\'ve went on many trips before and tried a few agencies. Apparently, it is important to keep to the time that the tour guide says because when one person is late, it will affect the whole group. Was just wondering where you and your sis were cos it seems that you have left your parents wandering alone in Korea. They may not have lost their way if you were with them, cos in terms of being street-wise, you will definitely be more savvy than them right? My objective view on this issue is that you should have stick to your parents or at least keep them within your range of view because after all,they are 2 elderly members in a foreign land. With regards to the tour guide, it sounds doubtful that he would actually admit that he is going back to the hotel to sleep. In logical sense, someone who is trying to skive will not tell you bluntly in the face that he is being lazy and that he is planning to skive, somemore you are implying that he said this in front of the whole group. From the psychological point of view, it doesn\'t seem very likely that he/ she would say this.
I am sorry to share that your comment on the food sounds really exaggerated. If the food is really what you make out to be as \"vomited food\", I doubt anyone else in your group (or even yourself) can even eat it.
I appreciate your sharing and feedback on this forum, but there are so many points that you raised which sound really skewed. Personally, I\'ve been on a trip with them to Bangkok/ Pattaya last June and all the arrangements are fine. In fact, I\'ve made many friendships with the group who went on the same trip. From what I know, 2 of them even booked another trip with Focal Travel after that.
I guess there are always different expectations where service is concerned. I\'ve read many negative feedbacks about the bigger agencies like Chan Brothers and ASA too, but ultimately, it really boils down to what you are looking for when you purchase a tour package. For me, I want fast and efficient service. So when I tried calling Chan Brothers many times and to no avail, I gave up in the end and tried calling Focal Travel. To my surprise, a lady returned my call after hearing the voice message which I left. To me, this is a good indication of their service. And it is also because of that call that I eventually took up the package to Bangkok/ Pattaya last year. I\'ve also joined a package with Five Stars about 2 years back. It was more of a publicity campaign for them cos we are paying a lot more for the mediacorp actor to tour with us! (I forgot his name cos he only appears once in awhile during the tour). That was the first and last time I engaged their service. And it has taught me a good lesson of not succumbing to such marketing techniques in future.
Anyway, all I would like to share is that a forum is supposed to allow us to share our experience and feedback, and I would like to urge all fellow forum-ers to share your feedback in an objective and truthful manner so that we can all benefit directly from the forum. If we meant to use this as a form of \"ranting platform\", then it really defeats the purpose of writing in a forum. Just my five cents worth and I hope it helps for fellow forum-ers who are planning for upcoming trips with the travel agencies.
I am sorry to share that your comment on the food sounds really exaggerated. If the food is really what you make out to be as \"vomited food\", I doubt anyone else in your group (or even yourself) can even eat it.
I appreciate your sharing and feedback on this forum, but there are so many points that you raised which sound really skewed. Personally, I\'ve been on a trip with them to Bangkok/ Pattaya last June and all the arrangements are fine. In fact, I\'ve made many friendships with the group who went on the same trip. From what I know, 2 of them even booked another trip with Focal Travel after that.
I guess there are always different expectations where service is concerned. I\'ve read many negative feedbacks about the bigger agencies like Chan Brothers and ASA too, but ultimately, it really boils down to what you are looking for when you purchase a tour package. For me, I want fast and efficient service. So when I tried calling Chan Brothers many times and to no avail, I gave up in the end and tried calling Focal Travel. To my surprise, a lady returned my call after hearing the voice message which I left. To me, this is a good indication of their service. And it is also because of that call that I eventually took up the package to Bangkok/ Pattaya last year. I\'ve also joined a package with Five Stars about 2 years back. It was more of a publicity campaign for them cos we are paying a lot more for the mediacorp actor to tour with us! (I forgot his name cos he only appears once in awhile during the tour). That was the first and last time I engaged their service. And it has taught me a good lesson of not succumbing to such marketing techniques in future.
Anyway, all I would like to share is that a forum is supposed to allow us to share our experience and feedback, and I would like to urge all fellow forum-ers to share your feedback in an objective and truthful manner so that we can all benefit directly from the forum. If we meant to use this as a form of \"ranting platform\", then it really defeats the purpose of writing in a forum. Just my five cents worth and I hope it helps for fellow forum-ers who are planning for upcoming trips with the travel agencies.
Xem wrote on 9 February 2009
Totally unfit to be a tour agency make our trip over CNY such a terrible 1.. Mental distress and Unpleasant Memories. KOREA
I was really furious on 1 particular incident that David and Karen for
lefting my parent stranded behind at Myeondong after collecting tips and
give us incorrect information.
They wanted to collected tips 1 day before journey end upon arrival of
Ladies Street and wasted our only 1.5hrs there; 10min collecting $$ and do
not let us alight.
Before collection of tips we waited 30min for a Family (Mr Lee, May and
Michelle) of 3 for 30min at the ski place whom were not told by Karen the
change of meeting time which she did not admit AND
After tipping
DAVID & KAREN LEFT MY PARENT STRANDED IN THERE WHEN THEY ARE 10MIN LATE
FOR THE GATHERING TIME of 9.40pm. I HAD TOLD THE TOUR GUIDE AT LEAST 3
TIMES AND MORE THAT MY DAD WILL WANT TO GO BACK TO HOTEL ON BUS AND ALL
OTHER PASSENAGERS HEARD ME LOUD AND CLEAR! And I told DAVID one to one
again before leaving the my parent dad definitely will follow the tour bus
back
I have asked the other passengers next morning and they said they did told
tour guide still got my dad but he wanted to go back sleep and did not
bother to wait a single minute and Karen still ask him to go. Guess she
want to go back and watch her Korean TV. Furthermore David did not
apologize. And he was late.
The reason for the 10min late is also due to the non profession of the
tour guide and leader as they did not tell us the underpass of the subway
lead to different parts of the places and we are 1st timer… We are
supposed to meet at SHINSEGAE Department Stores @9.40pm and we were
opposite the road at 9.20pm and we went underpass but the exit did not
seem familiar and at 9.30pm we were basically running but every exit
doesn’t seem correct. FYI, my mother fell down and hurt her spine again
but despite the pain we she is still rushing for the bus and to our dismay
that the bus left without waiting.. If we left our parent before the
underpass as they said it just opposite and they have no money and no
address.. I cannot imagine what will happen to them stranded in a cold
foreign place with language barrier.. So not only we suffered for a extra
cab fare of 15000WON of CAB Fare for my parent back to the hotel, we also
suffered the fear and me ntal distress of being left alone and stranded in
a foreign cold place.
Also I had asked the Tour Guide David if NAMDAEMUM Mkt open until 5am
2times and my and my sis and another 2 couple want to continued shopping
there as the Korean tour guide David send us back to hotel rest early
early as 4.30 pm in Flora hotel and no activity, keep asking us to sleep
and rest for the 1st 4 days(all reach hotel 6-8pm before 8.30pm).
Furthermore the hotel is 3hour ride away from seoul . In the end,
Namdaemum closes at 10pm and it is Dongdaemum that open til 5pm.
So my sis and I together with a couple(Ann and Kenny) were like idiots
walking in Namdaemum from 1 end to another end as all the shops are closed
with gate down and we believed it open til 5am and continues walking(From
Shinsegae to Namdaemum market gate 1) thinking we have not reached the
correct alley.. but after 2hrs combing the whole area we tried to ask
people whom told us shops all closed in NamDaeMum… And we not giving up
we took a cab (extra cost) to DongDaeMum which is still open and vibrant.
UNETHICAL and NON-PROFESSIONISM
Also the Tour guide had told us that it is difficult to get cab as it get
later and cab will refuse if they see 4 passenager and told us along the
way cabbie will pick up more passenagers. And we found out all is untrue..
Seem that the tour guide is faking and scaring us with false information.
Before the trip I had done my homework but I choose to believe the local
korea tour guide because he stay there and I took his professional comment
seriously but end up having a hard time. So total we spent extras to get
our shopping list done properly.
And David was complaining that his
BAD PLANNING
The reason why we want to shop til late night is not because we are
shopaholic but because the tour guide and leader did not bring us to many
places as stated on the itinerary on day to day basis and brought us back
to hotel to rest very early. End up, failing to get us to give up the tour
attraction places he shorten all the attraction allocated hours.
In the last day(5th day), we need to go to 9 place instead of 7 place. We
spend an extra hour plus at Shinsegae Chealsea Premium Outlet(which
suppose to go on 4th day which we went back to hotel at 4.30pm) and also
the Kimchi DIY and Ginseng Farm and Hanbok photo shooting which take up
another 2plus hours. Total 4hours. And time wasted when tour guide
collecting tips when arrived myeondong.
Food was bland and full of vegetable seem like we have steam boat everyday except the last day (bibinbap which is the only acceptable average tasting dish). The Korean BBQ which we thought it be grilled and serve hot but per Korean guide the pork steamboat is the Korean BBQ. We feel cheated. Even Karen the local tour leader say it is not the BBQ style.
My friend who seen the pic of our food say it look disgusting and look like left over food Some even say it look like vomiting out food..
Korea Tour guide named DAVID and Singapore Tour Leader KAREN TENG.
I was really furious on 1 particular incident that David and Karen for
lefting my parent stranded behind at Myeondong after collecting tips and
give us incorrect information.
They wanted to collected tips 1 day before journey end upon arrival of
Ladies Street and wasted our only 1.5hrs there; 10min collecting $$ and do
not let us alight.
Before collection of tips we waited 30min for a Family (Mr Lee, May and
Michelle) of 3 for 30min at the ski place whom were not told by Karen the
change of meeting time which she did not admit AND
After tipping
DAVID & KAREN LEFT MY PARENT STRANDED IN THERE WHEN THEY ARE 10MIN LATE
FOR THE GATHERING TIME of 9.40pm. I HAD TOLD THE TOUR GUIDE AT LEAST 3
TIMES AND MORE THAT MY DAD WILL WANT TO GO BACK TO HOTEL ON BUS AND ALL
OTHER PASSENAGERS HEARD ME LOUD AND CLEAR! And I told DAVID one to one
again before leaving the my parent dad definitely will follow the tour bus
back
I have asked the other passengers next morning and they said they did told
tour guide still got my dad but he wanted to go back sleep and did not
bother to wait a single minute and Karen still ask him to go. Guess she
want to go back and watch her Korean TV. Furthermore David did not
apologize. And he was late.
The reason for the 10min late is also due to the non profession of the
tour guide and leader as they did not tell us the underpass of the subway
lead to different parts of the places and we are 1st timer… We are
supposed to meet at SHINSEGAE Department Stores @9.40pm and we were
opposite the road at 9.20pm and we went underpass but the exit did not
seem familiar and at 9.30pm we were basically running but every exit
doesn’t seem correct. FYI, my mother fell down and hurt her spine again
but despite the pain we she is still rushing for the bus and to our dismay
that the bus left without waiting.. If we left our parent before the
underpass as they said it just opposite and they have no money and no
address.. I cannot imagine what will happen to them stranded in a cold
foreign place with language barrier.. So not only we suffered for a extra
cab fare of 15000WON of CAB Fare for my parent back to the hotel, we also
suffered the fear and me ntal distress of being left alone and stranded in
a foreign cold place.
Also I had asked the Tour Guide David if NAMDAEMUM Mkt open until 5am
2times and my and my sis and another 2 couple want to continued shopping
there as the Korean tour guide David send us back to hotel rest early
early as 4.30 pm in Flora hotel and no activity, keep asking us to sleep
and rest for the 1st 4 days(all reach hotel 6-8pm before 8.30pm).
Furthermore the hotel is 3hour ride away from seoul . In the end,
Namdaemum closes at 10pm and it is Dongdaemum that open til 5pm.
So my sis and I together with a couple(Ann and Kenny) were like idiots
walking in Namdaemum from 1 end to another end as all the shops are closed
with gate down and we believed it open til 5am and continues walking(From
Shinsegae to Namdaemum market gate 1) thinking we have not reached the
correct alley.. but after 2hrs combing the whole area we tried to ask
people whom told us shops all closed in NamDaeMum… And we not giving up
we took a cab (extra cost) to DongDaeMum which is still open and vibrant.
UNETHICAL and NON-PROFESSIONISM
Also the Tour guide had told us that it is difficult to get cab as it get
later and cab will refuse if they see 4 passenager and told us along the
way cabbie will pick up more passenagers. And we found out all is untrue..
Seem that the tour guide is faking and scaring us with false information.
Before the trip I had done my homework but I choose to believe the local
korea tour guide because he stay there and I took his professional comment
seriously but end up having a hard time. So total we spent extras to get
our shopping list done properly.
And David was complaining that his
BAD PLANNING
The reason why we want to shop til late night is not because we are
shopaholic but because the tour guide and leader did not bring us to many
places as stated on the itinerary on day to day basis and brought us back
to hotel to rest very early. End up, failing to get us to give up the tour
attraction places he shorten all the attraction allocated hours.
In the last day(5th day), we need to go to 9 place instead of 7 place. We
spend an extra hour plus at Shinsegae Chealsea Premium Outlet(which
suppose to go on 4th day which we went back to hotel at 4.30pm) and also
the Kimchi DIY and Ginseng Farm and Hanbok photo shooting which take up
another 2plus hours. Total 4hours. And time wasted when tour guide
collecting tips when arrived myeondong.
Food was bland and full of vegetable seem like we have steam boat everyday except the last day (bibinbap which is the only acceptable average tasting dish). The Korean BBQ which we thought it be grilled and serve hot but per Korean guide the pork steamboat is the Korean BBQ. We feel cheated. Even Karen the local tour leader say it is not the BBQ style.
My friend who seen the pic of our food say it look disgusting and look like left over food Some even say it look like vomiting out food..
Korea Tour guide named DAVID and Singapore Tour Leader KAREN TENG.
Manfred Lim wrote on 9 February 2009
Your reviewWe have return from our Taiwan/HK CNY trip from 24/109 to 1/2/09
We have travelled many years, this year our trip was fanastic, enjoyable. All this due to our tour leader Simon Lim and our taiwan tour guide Betty. Both of
them are very professional in performing their duties, caring for the old, taking care of 37 of us, ensuring that we have enough to eat, enough clothing to keep us warm. Entertaining us so that we will not be bore during long distance travelling on the road.
If there is an award for best tour leader/tour guide we will definitely vote both of them. We look forward to join your next destination. Manfred/Angie
We have travelled many years, this year our trip was fanastic, enjoyable. All this due to our tour leader Simon Lim and our taiwan tour guide Betty. Both of
them are very professional in performing their duties, caring for the old, taking care of 37 of us, ensuring that we have enough to eat, enough clothing to keep us warm. Entertaining us so that we will not be bore during long distance travelling on the road.
If there is an award for best tour leader/tour guide we will definitely vote both of them. We look forward to join your next destination. Manfred/Angie
Tan Family wrote on 28 December 2008
Just came back from 8 Days 6 Nights Korea Bonanza (Ski) tour Package. My tour guide is "Mei Ren Yu". My family and I felt very comfortable and was greatly taken care of throughout the trip. She was really professional & entertaining and she really did her job well. Tumbs up for her !!!
Angela Tan wrote on 22 December 2008
Focal + Newly + Asia Pacific(if I'm not wrong) is same company. So if there not enough 10 person to open a group ticket. They will combine 3 company headcount, so I guess there should be no worry on thier tour departure.
Ng Lay Choo wrote on 20 December 2008
I learnt my lesson. I book both of my Taiwan and Chiangmai for my family, for Jan 09. Till this moment, no news from them. I finally called up, they claimed they can't find my name... Next moment, they said taiwan trip might be cancel...
I will never go back to them.
I will never go back to them.
tpk wrote on 6 December 2008
I am utterly disappointed w this agency, i mean i only booked for simple free and easy trip up tokyo and the counter gal was rude unhelpful and not too informative or knowledgeable abt her products. Man i can die seeing her lousy attitude.... and aft weeks we paid we received no news of the collection, have to call email etc and no reply. Urghhhhh......
Peggy Lee wrote on 6 December 2008
Lisa, I just wonder how your trip go? I am thinking of booking a tour with them. What do you think?
RL wrote on 26 November 2008
i went on a trip to korea&jeju in oct 08 with focal, simon was our tour leader, the whole trip was very enjoyable, he was really professional & entertaining and he really did his job well, nothing like what marie has mentioned. I dont mind going for another trip with him as our tour leader again.
Vivien wrote on 18 November 2008
Sorry I forgot to add something. Angela and I are friends and we went for the Taiwan/Hong Kong trip together. We were so impressed by Simon and the Taiwan tour guide that we decided to go for our Korea trip next year... On that condition that our tour leader is SIMON!!!
Vivien wrote on 18 November 2008
Since Angela has written something, I think its only good if i add something too. I saw this review by marie before my trip with Focal from 8 to 16 Nov. I was worried cos my tour guide is Simon. All my worries were totally unfound!
Simon was totally professional and caring. He's been so responsible throughout the whole trip and we witnessed him running all around just to gather all of us on the coach, never getting impatient nor upset with us.
On our way to Taiwan, two of our tour members cannot be found and didn't appear even after announcement. He insisted on waiting for them to appear since we still have the time before our flight takes off. It shows the level of professionalism and experience in dealing with different situations.
I came back to Singapore to look for this forum to confirm that its the same Simon that we are talking about. The things mentioned about Simon are totally ridiculous. I'm sorry to say, but I think Marie is being a bit too exaggerating in her description. As Angela has mentioned, if Simon is such a person with connections, I think she won't really live to write such things on the net, will she?
All in all, I just wanna say that sometimes wat people say in forum may not be the truth. I laughed to tears when I read the comments once again about Simon when I got back to Singapore. Hahaha...
Simon was totally professional and caring. He's been so responsible throughout the whole trip and we witnessed him running all around just to gather all of us on the coach, never getting impatient nor upset with us.
On our way to Taiwan, two of our tour members cannot be found and didn't appear even after announcement. He insisted on waiting for them to appear since we still have the time before our flight takes off. It shows the level of professionalism and experience in dealing with different situations.
I came back to Singapore to look for this forum to confirm that its the same Simon that we are talking about. The things mentioned about Simon are totally ridiculous. I'm sorry to say, but I think Marie is being a bit too exaggerating in her description. As Angela has mentioned, if Simon is such a person with connections, I think she won't really live to write such things on the net, will she?
All in all, I just wanna say that sometimes wat people say in forum may not be the truth. I laughed to tears when I read the comments once again about Simon when I got back to Singapore. Hahaha...
Angela wrote on 18 November 2008
I had just return from my 9 days of Taiwan & Hong Kong trip on 17 Nov and was shocked to read these comments. Simon was our tour leader and the service that he rendered was superb and professional!!! My friend and I feel very comfortable and was greatly taken care of throughout the trip. I do not think that Simon is a gangster like what Marie wrote. In fact those tour mates that I came acrossed with, all had positive feedback about Simon.
Lisa, do not be worried or feel insecure about your Dec trip. You just have to go and experience it urself den to believe in those comments that might have personal grudges in it. With no offence, I think it not right as it is unethical to quote people name and psost his mobile number online. If you really feel threated than you can jolly well write in to the company and express your fear and your valuable feedback. If he is really a gangster, won't you feel your live in more danger as you have post your "comments" online for the whole world to see. You are contradicting yourself by doing so. He did not point a gun on your head to write a positive feedback on the form so you can just put no comment instead of having to crack your brain to write positive feedback which you claimed is against your wish.
Lisa, do not be worried or feel insecure about your Dec trip. You just have to go and experience it urself den to believe in those comments that might have personal grudges in it. With no offence, I think it not right as it is unethical to quote people name and psost his mobile number online. If you really feel threated than you can jolly well write in to the company and express your fear and your valuable feedback. If he is really a gangster, won't you feel your live in more danger as you have post your "comments" online for the whole world to see. You are contradicting yourself by doing so. He did not point a gun on your head to write a positive feedback on the form so you can just put no comment instead of having to crack your brain to write positive feedback which you claimed is against your wish.
Tan Chin Koon wrote on 12 November 2008
I am going to Taiwan, I felt unsure and worried. The service that Focal Travel provided, I really have doubt in them. Anyway, instead of allowing them to spoilt my holidays, i change to free and easy.
lisa wrote on 20 October 2008
Oh my god........... I felt very worried for the coming Dec 08 tour........
hitome wrote on 10 October 2008
the service is totally bad. we had a very very bad experience with the whole company....
marie wrote on 4 October 2008
I join their tour early this year and its a horrible experience. The tour leader named Simon Lim from Focal Singapore is vulgar and through the trip, we hear more vulgarities than information on tourist attraction. It got very awkward for me and my husband as our primary school son is around the whole time listening to his dirty talk.
None of the passengers dared to stop him as he claim to have connections with gang members. The local tour guide then called their ah beng friends to join us during lunch to prove their point.
He said that Singapore gang leaders of Ang Soon Tong, 21, 24, 108, 369 gangs are his dogs and must bow down kiss his shoe when they see him. He also told us stories of what secret societies are capable of if they have information from your I/C or passports.
On the last day to collect tourguide tips and fill in survey form for tour feedback, he conveniently reminded us that he photocopied our passports to keep in case he need to use them in future. Since we have to submit the survey to focal through him with our names on it, I think you can guess how "great" our feedback on the trip was and the huge tips we had to give.
It was a traumatizing trip and thats the last time I will join that tour. You can contact this Simon Lim at 98578567 to confirm what happen. As for myself, I don't want to have anything more to do with these people and risk the safety of my son. I just hope others will not make the same mistake. Don't just look at the prices, its more important to go for reputable agencies and have a safe trip.
None of the passengers dared to stop him as he claim to have connections with gang members. The local tour guide then called their ah beng friends to join us during lunch to prove their point.
He said that Singapore gang leaders of Ang Soon Tong, 21, 24, 108, 369 gangs are his dogs and must bow down kiss his shoe when they see him. He also told us stories of what secret societies are capable of if they have information from your I/C or passports.
On the last day to collect tourguide tips and fill in survey form for tour feedback, he conveniently reminded us that he photocopied our passports to keep in case he need to use them in future. Since we have to submit the survey to focal through him with our names on it, I think you can guess how "great" our feedback on the trip was and the huge tips we had to give.
It was a traumatizing trip and thats the last time I will join that tour. You can contact this Simon Lim at 98578567 to confirm what happen. As for myself, I don't want to have anything more to do with these people and risk the safety of my son. I just hope others will not make the same mistake. Don't just look at the prices, its more important to go for reputable agencies and have a safe trip.
lisa wrote on 20 August 2008
Hi !!Anybody got any comments on this Focal Travel Agent. I had book a Taiwan Tour with them for this coming Dec 08.
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