In addition to founding World Express in 1969, Chye is the sole surviving founding board member of the Singapore Tourism Promotion Board—established in 1964—where he served multiple terms. His career highlights include serving as President of the National Association of Travel Agents Singapore (NATAS) from 1968 to 1971 and leading Singapore’s Skål Club chapter in 1971. Chye was also an early member of the Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) and was recognized with PATA’s highest honorary award, Life Member, in 1996.

Chye’s remarkable journey in the travel trade began with a chance encounter at the Kranji War Memorial. In his early twenties, while working as a police officer, he struck up a conversation with an American tour leader. Impressed by Chye’s deep knowledge of Singapore and his genuine warmth, the tour leader encouraged him to consider a career in the travel industry—a suggestion that Chye took to heart. The two stayed in touch, and Chye was eventually introduced to Jack Dengler, founder and President of SITA World Travel Inc. At the time, SITA was looking to open a Singapore branch and needed a head for the office. Despite having no prior experience in the travel business, Dengler was convinced that Chye was the best candidate for the job. Chye opened the SITA office in 1961, and eight years later, he founded World Express Pte Ltd out of a small office in Raffles Hotel, specializing in inbound travel services.

𝗜𝗺𝗮𝗴𝗲𝘀 𝘀𝗼𝘂𝗿𝗰𝗲𝗱 𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝗪𝗼𝗿𝗹𝗱 𝗘𝘅𝗽𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝗔𝗿𝗰𝗵𝗶𝘃𝗲𝘀: 𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗹𝘆 𝗪𝗼𝗿𝗹𝗱 𝗘𝘅𝗽𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝗼𝗳𝗳𝗶𝗰𝗲, 𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗹𝘆 𝗹𝗼𝗴𝗼, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗖𝗵𝘆𝗲 𝗶𝗻 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗴𝗲𝗿 𝘆𝗲𝗮𝗿𝘀 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸 𝗰𝗼𝘂𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗽𝗮𝗿𝘁𝘀

Reflecting on his years as a travel entrepreneur and the future of World Express, Chye shares, “Like any business, we have experienced many cycles, ups and downs… but in the last fifty years, I am proud to have steered World Express to a good place. We keep a global mindset but retain our roots and principles. And the current management has taken the company to a higher place.” In April of this year, World Express announced its Brand Refresh, unveiling an updated look and brand identity as ‘The Local Insider.’ World Express continues to evolve alongside Singapore’s tourism landscape, just as it always has since the early days.

Read on for our candid conversation with Chye as he shares more of his reflections over the last 60 years.

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What was the travel landscape like in the early days of World Express?

As a travel business, we are part of a sunrise industry. In other words, there are more people with more money and more time to explore. At that time, the industry itself was expanding—chain hotels, airlines—all of these were good indicators of how the industry was evolving. It continues today… The airlines are expanding their routes, getting bigger aircrafts, increasing flight frequencies, and offering more services. We also see more boutique chain hotels being set up in Singapore… All this points to a good future for the industry.

In your opinion, what were some of the draws of Singapore as a destination at that time?

What makes Singapore a key destination is our location; we are at the center of a network of air services. We have a wonderful and efficient airport, and we offer fine attractions for both business and leisure. The safety of our location is another draw. Our efficiency – we have the confidence that events will take place without disruption.

Flashback to Singapore in the 70s: You are hosting a group completely new to Singapore. What would you plan for their itinerary?

At that time, we didn’t have as many attractions as we do now. Because of Singapore’s weather, we could only arrange a three-hour-plus sightseeing tour. We could take them to Kranji, the Botanic Gardens, Chinatown… We don’t have as many food options as we do now, so most of the time, we served meals at hotels or at Newton Hawker Centre in the 70s. Alternatively, we had a hawker center in the middle of Orchard Road. It was a car park during the day, but at night it transformed into a hawker center.

What are your favorite parts about working in the industry?

The highlights from the earlier days—my journey has been one of joy and happiness in the work I do. Travel is a luxury – and what you get out of it sometimes, money can’t even buy. Meeting people and developing cherished, long-term friendships. Being in this field has given me the opportunity to travel, which I might not have had otherwise had the chance to do – meeting clients for both business and leisure. Singapore is efficient, we minimize the risk of error as best as possible. The most pleasurable part of my tenure has been seeing the high satisfaction of the people we serve; they truly enjoy their stay. If I could go back in time and do it all over again, I wouldn’t change a thing.

Any advice for DMCs today?

Be professional in all your dealings, have fun, and put people first.

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𝗜𝗺𝗮𝗴𝗲 𝗰𝗼𝘂𝗿𝘁𝗲𝘀𝘆 𝗼𝗳 𝗞𝗮𝗿𝗲𝗻 𝗬𝘂𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝗧𝗧𝗚 𝗔𝘀𝗶𝗮: 𝗖𝗵𝘆𝗲 𝗶𝗻 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟰 𝗮𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗪𝗼𝗿𝗹𝗱 𝗘𝘅𝗽𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝗕𝗿𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗥𝗲𝗳𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗵 𝗟𝗮𝘂𝗻𝗰𝗵