USA: detained Iraqi Americans sue airline

Six Iraqi Americans returning to Detroit after training U.S. military personnel contend they were racially profiled when they were pulled off an American Airlines flight in August and accused of being a security risk.
In a lawsuit filed Wednesday against the airline, the men say airline employees halted a flight about to leave San Diego for Chicago and detained them after the flight crew thought they were security threats because they spoke Arabic and because of their appearance.
The Iraqi natives were interrogated in front of other passengers and then detained for more than an hour with the help of the San Diego police, according to the suit. Afterward, they were released and flew later that week.

Source: freep.com by Detroit Free Press; read full article here.

"And now it's time for halal tourism"

As reported by Clark Kelly, at the Travel & Tourism News Middle East, "Regional tourism players will be advised at this month’s World Travel Market (WTM) to exploit a new category of tourism dubbed Halal Tourism.
According to an excerpt from the WTM Global Trends Report being unveiled at the WTM and made available in advance to TTN, there is currently little differentiation between Middle Eastern tourism products and services for Muslims and non-Muslims. This represents a huge opportunity for Halal tourism, a form of religious tourism defined as activities permissible under Islamic law." Read more>>

6th Annual Hospitality Law Conference

Organized by HospitalityLawyer.com, the 6th Annual Hospitality Law Conference, will be held at the George R. Brown Convention Center in downtown Houston.

Full information is available here.

Managing China's Inbound Growth

PATA Chairman Mr Brian Deeson (right) joined VIPs in opening the Tourism Future & Development - China Forum 2007 in Kunming, China (PRC) today.
Managing China's Inbound Growth Stimulating inbound tourism growth is not at issue for China (PRC), rather it is the need to manage and harness the growth, PATA Chairman Mr Brian Deeson told an industry forum in Kunming today. Speaking at the Tourism Future & Development - China Forum 2007, Mr Deeson said China had already become the world's fourth most popular destination and could become the number one destination within 10 years.
"However, we know that growth can be a double-edged sword, particularly when it comes to sustainability," he said. "And one of the biggest challenges facing China, and our industry as a whole, is climate change." Mr Deeson said PATA was calling on leaders of travel and tourism across Asia Pacific to join forces at the PATA CEO Challenge: Confronting Climate Change, to take place in Bangkok, April 29-30 next year.
PATA Vice President-Operations Mr Michael Yates spoke about a new report the Association is developing with the China National Tourism Administration (CNTA) to identify ways China can maximise the economic, cultural and environmental benefits of inbound tourism.
Mr Deeson and Mr Yates joined CNTA Vice Chairman Mr Du Jiang and AC Nielsen senior manager Dr Grace Pan for a panel discussion moderated by noted CNN travel presenter Mr Richard Quest. www.PATA.org/ceochallenge

"Liberalising the rules on foreign tourism"

As reported by Nguyen Thu Hang - Vision & Associates, at the Viet Nam News, "Viet Nam attracts more and more international tourists every year, and the number of Vietnamese travelling abroad is also growing, making the tourism industry increasingly attractive to foreign investors.
However, the mass media has lately reported many cases of unlicensed foreign tourism service operators or foreigners practicing as tour guide without a licence.
To address the problem while gradually liberalising foreign participation in the tourism sector, the Prime Minister issued Decree No 92/2007/ND-CP on June 1, 2007, detailing implementation of the Law on Tourism, passed in 2005. Decree No 92 replaces previous regulations on tourism, including Decree No 45/2000/ND-CP of September 6, 2000, governing branches and representative offices of foreign tourist enterprises." Read more>>

"Tour operators welcome new tourism legislation"

From Arusha, Adam Ihucha reports, at the Guardian, that "The government has won many hearts of local tour operators for introducing legislation to restrict foreigners to involve in tourism transactions.
In their comments made separately to this paper, the operators said the proposed new legislation anticipated to be in force by early next year was much overdue. 'Now we are heading to the right direction, in fact the move by the government is highly appreciated,' said Firoz Suleiman, Director of Sunny Safaris. He proposed that taxes accruing from the tourism industry should be paid according to the law of the land.
The Managing Director of Golden Rose Travel and Tours Company, Walter Maeda commended the Government for eventually acting in a 'better late than never' style. He said neighbouring Kenya's tourism authority barred foreigners from dealing with all tourism related undertakings long ago. 'The secret behind the flourishing tourism business in Kenya is that the industry is fully run by indigenous people,' he remarked. Maeda says until the new legislation comes into force, 'Tanzania policy allows foreigners to invest in petty businesses such as restaurants and guest houses and yet be entitled with the title, investor,' Maeda noted.
Armstrong Nyaka of Jackis Tours was happy that at last the government had wakened up and seen the way it has been loosing a large chunks of cash accrued from the tourism trade. 'A lot of money has been secretly siphoned out of the country by foreign tour and travel operators who maintain offices in Tanzania and abroad at the expense of the nation and its people,' he said.
Carlos Da Silva Verela of African Rhino Safaris and Ecotourism Africa said the majority of small indigenous investors in tourism used to face stiff competition brought by the foreign investors."

Source: IPPMEDIA

"The ten best European rural tourist destinations"

According to the EU Press Room, "Vice President Günter Verheugen awarded the 'European Destinations of Excellence' (EDEN) to the ten best emerging rural destinations at the European Annual Tourism Forum in Portugal on 26th of October. The aim of EDEN is twofold: to draw attention to the value, diversity and shared characteristics of European tourist destinations and to promote destinations where commercial success goes hand in hand with social, cultural and environmental sustainability. It also creates awareness of Europe’s tourist diversity and quality, besides promoting Europe as the foremost tourism destination in the world."

This Press Release is available in full text.

Mexico: consumer protection agency fines grounded local airline

Budget airline Lineas Aereas Azteca, grounded six months ago for safety problems, has been fined 4.5 million pesos (US$417,000; €293,000) for failing to correct the problems or refund airfares for canceled flights to consumers. If the company refunds airfares to consumers the fine could be reduced.
Azteca is the second low-cost carrier the government has grounded in the past 18 months. Aerocalifornia's service was suspended in April 2006 for safety reasons, but the airline resumed some operations four months later.

Source: International Herald Tribune; read full article here.

"Airlines need better European law-making procedures"

"Two Resolutions agreed by members of the European Regions Airline Association (ERA) at last Friday’s AGM (19 October 2007) in Athens have highlighted inconsistencies in the European Parliament’s law-making procedures. In the first Resolution, concerning the establishment of a European emissions trading regime for air transport, ERA calls upon MEPs to reject the recent amendments proposed by the Environment Committee (ENVI) which, according to the Association, would add €20 billion per year to the costs of European air transport, and to accept many of the amendments proposed by the Transport and Tourism Committee, which it says will improve the practical procedures to implement the European Commission’s original proposal." Read more>>

Source: InternationalTravelDailyNews

"Competitive and sustainable destinations discussed at European Tourism Forum"

As stated by the EU Press Room, "Strategies to make EU tourism destinations competitive by embracing sustainability will be the focal point of discussions at the 6th European Tourism Forum, which takes place tomorrow in Portimao, Algarve in Portugal. At the occasion of this conference, European Commission Vice President Günter Verheugen will present the awards to the winners of the European Destinations of Excellence (EDEN) tomorrow. At the forum the European Commission will also present its new communication launching a strategy to foster sustainable and competitive tourism in Europe. It invites all stakeholders to strengthen the contribution of sustainable practices to making Europe the most attractive tourism destination."

This Press Release is available in full text.

"Almulla Launches World’s First International Sharia Compliant Hotel Chain"

"Dubai-based hospitality group Almulla, today launched the world’s first Sharia compliant hotel brand portfolio under three core brand names of Cliftonwood, Adham and Wings. The hotel group strategic plan calls for 30 properties by the end of 2008.
'There are plenty of individual Sharia compliant hotels throughout the world. However their positioning is usually dictated by the owner, either as an independent hotel, one within a chain or due to the Sharia law of country where they are situated,' commented Abdulla M Almulla, Chairman of Almulla Hospitality. 'Our brand proposition is so distinct that guests will be confident that our brand values have universal consistency.'." Read more>>

Source: Middle East Business News.

IATA: Passenger numbers to reach 2.75 billion by 2011

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) released passenger and freight traffic forecasts projecting that in 2011 the air transport industry will handle 2.75 billion passengers (620 million more passengers than in 2006) and 36 million tonnes of international freight (7.5 million tonnes more than in 2006).
International passenger demand is expected to rise from 760 million passengers in 2006 to 980 million in 2011 at an annual average growth rate (AAGR) of 5.1%. This will be lower than the 7.4% AAGR recorded during 2002-2006, largely due to slightly slower global economic growth.
Domestic passenger demand is expected grow from 1.37 billion passengers in 2006 to 1.77 billion in 2011, an AAGR of 5.3%, fuelled by expansion in the Indian and Chinese domestic markets.
International freight volumes are expected to grow at an AAGR of 4.8% over the forecast period, supported by economic growth, globalisation and trade. Strong price competition from other modes of transport is expected to keep freight demand growth below the 6.2% AAGR recorded for 2002-2006.

Source: IATA News No. 37 of 24 October 2007. For more detailed information on Passenger or Freight Traffic forecasts visit
http://email.iata.org/servlet/cc5?pHlHQSDDQUVOmshkJoplFxJhhiqjLJolQHlVaVU

"Two SARs plan closer cooperation on tourism"

From Macau, Nickkita Lau reports, at The Standard, that "Hong Kong and Macau have agreed to negotiate with the mainland government on combining into one the current separate visas for mainland tourists visiting the two cities.
The aim is for mainland tourists, under the Individual Visit Scheme, to travel to both places in one trip, according to Hong Kong Tourism Board chairman James Tien Pei-chun who revealed the plan yesterday.
Hong Kong and Macau are not competitors but partners in tourism promotion, Tien said after meeting with Macau Chief Executive Edmund Ho Hau-wah and Macau tourism officials in the neighboring SAR. He said increasingly severe international competition has driven them to embrace their partnership.
The two cities are only separated by water, Tien said.
Hong Kong, he said, should position itself as a sight-seeing, shopping and dining capital while Macau will continue to attract tourists with its World Heritage, gaming and entertainment facilities." Read more>>

"Dar locks foreign investors out of tourism sector"

As reported by Mike Mande, at The EastAfrican, "In a move that confirms the growing resentment of foreign investors in Tanzania’s tourism sector, the government plans to introduce legislation to bar foreigners from engaging in tourism related businesses in the country.
The new legislation — expected to come into effect as early as next year — proposes to restrict the participation of foreign investors in areas such as travel agency business, mountain climbing, trekking or owning tour and travel operations in the country.
While the minister in charge of tourism will retain powers and discretion to grant exemptions, especially with regard to existing business, the expectation is that some of the business people will be asked to leave." Read more>>

"Vice-President Barrot meets India's Minister for Civil Aviation, Mr. Patel to strengthen cooperation in civil aviation"

According to the EU Press Room, "As a follow-up to the successful first EU-India Aviation Summit held in New Delhi in November 2006, Mr. Praful Patel, Minister for Civil Aviation of India is visiting several European institutions on 22-23 October 2007. The visit is being hosted by Mr. Jacques Barrot, Vice-President of the European Commission responsible for transport. The two sides expressed their shared aspirations driven by their respective policies of promoting safe, open and sustainable aviation relations for the benefit of industry and consumers."


This Press Release is available in full text.

"Antitrust: Commission market tests commitments from eight members of SkyTeam concerning their alliance cooperation"

As stated by the EU Press Room, "The European Commission has invited comments from interested parties on commitments proposed by eight members of the SkyTeam airline alliance, namely Aeromexico, Alitalia, CSA Czech Airlines, Delta Air Lines, KLM, Korean Air, Northwest Airlines and Air France. These commitments are designed to meet concerns under the EC Treaty's ban on restrictive business practices (Article 81), raised in the Commission's Statement of Objections of 15 June 2006. The Commission is concerned that the cooperation in passenger air transport services between these SkyTeam members may have negative effects for passengers on routes where they enjoy a strong market position and where barriers to entry are significant. To address these concerns, the parties have offered commitments designed to facilitate new entry on the routes in question. The parties mainly offer to make slots available at appropriate EU airports to allow competitors to operate new or additional services and to share their frequent flyer programs. A notice summarising the commitments and requesting comments from interested parties within one month, has been published in the EU Official Journal C245 of 19.10.2007."

This Press Release is also available in full text.

19th IFTTA Conference (PAPERS)

Almost all the papers presented at the Conference are now available.

"Are Hotels Breaking Competition Law?"

"When the leaders of the European inbound travel industry meet this coming 9th November at The Global European Marketplace at Earls Court, London, they will be considering some questions that could have a dramatic impact on the way the tourism market operates. One of these is the vexed issue of price collusion.

Hotels often seek to ensure that their published rates are not undercut. They have been known to insist on a guarantee that the price the operator sells to the public does not differ from their own advertised price.

• Do such agreements constitute price fixing?
• What are the penalties for agreeing to this?
• How can agreements be made without falling foul of competition law?
  

These questions go to the heart of the way the market for hotel accommodation operates, as many hotels seek to ensure the prices to consumers on their own web sites are the lowest in the market.
Neil Baylis, an expert in European competition law from the law firm K&L Gates, will explore these issues in depth and explain what is and what is not lawful." Read more>>

Source: ForImmediateRelease.Net

19th IFTTA Conference

BEJA (11/10/2007). At the Table: Phil Cameron (USA), João Vidal e Afonso Café (Portugal) and Michael Tanti-Dougall (Malta). On the right: Antonia Paniza (Spain) and Manuel David Masseno (Portugal). From the back: Harry Manuel (Nedherlands), Henriette Cordeiro Guérios (Brazil), Gianluca Rossoni (Italy) and Maria Goretti Sanches Lima (Brazil).

"IATA: Dutch ticket tax proposal is ineffective and inappopriate"

"The International Air Transport Association (IATA) condemned the Dutch Government's plans to impose further taxes on air passengers. The government is planning to tax passengers departing the Netherlands by air as much as € 45 citing environmental reasons.
The passenger tax also breaches resolutions of the International Civil Organisation (ICAO) and Article 15 of the Chicago Convention on International Civil Aviation. 'I am surprised that the Netherlands, as an ICAO Contracting State, chooses to ignore its obligations and trample over international agreements', Bisignani, IATA Director General and CEO, commented."

Source: Avionews.

USA: airline data available on the Web

The Massachusetts Institute of Technology and the International Center for Air Transportation have created a comprehensive Web collection of airline data.
The Airline Data Project features an online databank that provides details and analysis of airline data since 1995. The resource allows users to compare 15 U.S. airlines on a wide variety of measures, including fleet utilization, labor costs, cash flow and profitability.
The Airline Data Project (ADP) was established by the MIT Global Airline Industry Program to better understand the opportunities, risks and challenges facing this vital industry. The ADP presents the most important airline industry data in one location in an easy-to-understand, user-friendly format. The data has been selected and analyzed to present a view of the industry and its important trends, as well as to identify fundamental drivers of success – and in some cases, the early signs of potential failure.

Find the database here.

"Eight African leaders speak on continent's travel opportunities"

"The Africa Travel Association (ATA), a 33-year old global travel trade association promoting tourism to Africa, held its Second Annual Presidential Forum on Tourism in New York City on Friday, September 28 at New York University’s Law School in Greenwich Village. Hosted by New York University’s Africa House, the theme of the event was 'positive news on Africa.'
The forum provided African leaders with the opportunity to present the continent’s rich travel opportunities to almost 200 leaders from government, non-government and business communities, the tourism industry, travel trade media, and education. Each leader spoke of the need to market 'Destination Africa' in a way that benefits both the continent as a whole and each individual country." Read more>>

Source: Travel Daily News International.

"Governments Endorse Global Strategy for Aviation and Climate Change - Europe Out-of-touch on Emissions Trading"...

On another hand, "The International Air Transport Association (IATA) applauded the comprehensive strategy for aviation and climate change agreed at the Triennial Assembly of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), subject to confirmation by today's [Friday's] Plenary. At the same time, IATA expressed deep disappointment in Europe's failure to accept a global approach to emissions trading, based on mutual consent."

This Press Release is also available in full text.

"Europe stands firm on ambitious action to cut Aviation Emissions"

As stated by the EU Press Room, "The 36th Assembly of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) ended on Friday without clear agreement on a way forward to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from international aviation. Europe pressed for a more ambitious outcome, but safeguarded its ability to introduce an aviation emissions trading scheme.
Speaking for Europe at the end of the talks in Montreal, Luis Fonseca de Almeida, Director General of Civil Aviation for Portugal [Portugal speaks as President of the European Union (EU) and of the European Civil Aviation Conference (ECAC)], said 'We strongly believe that it would be best if the international community could reach an effective mechanism on tackling aviation emissions. We are disappointed by the outcome and believe ICAO has abdicated the leadership role given to it in the Kyoto Protocol. That is a very great failing that should concern us all.'"

This Press Release is available in full text.

"Goa tourism industry against govt norms over night parties"

"Goa tourism industry has expressed its reservations over the stringent norms to be implemented by the state against noise created by late night parties.
'The norms should not be implemented in letter but spirit,' Travel and Tours Association of Goa (TTAG) president Ralf D'Souza said on Thursday.
With the beginning of tourist season in the state, the administration has geared up to lower noise pollution created through loud music during parties. As per Madhya Pradesh noise pollution act, there is a ban on parties playing music over 55 decibels after 2200 hrs.
However, tourism industry feels that such a stringent act would discourage tourism trade in the state. 'People come here to enjoy night life.... You can't expect them to go to bed at 10 in the night,' D'Souza said." Read more>>

Source: Newindpress.com

World Tourism Day

Today we're publishing the speech delivered by Francesco Frangiali, Secretary General of UNWTO:

"The evolving role of law in aerospace activities"

The Daily News publishes a very interesting article of Dr. Ruwantissa Abeyratne, Coordinator of Air Transport Programmes at the International Civil Aviation Organisation, containing excerpts from a legal lecture of the Royal Aeronautical Society, Montreal Branch, delivered on August 3, 2007 at ICAO Headquarters, Montreal, that is available in full text.

"New tourism law introduces site management - Jordan"

"The Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities, in cooperation with the USAID/Jordan Tourism Development Project (Siyaha), has developed a new tourism law due to the need for rapid development, imposed by the global tourism industry and in response to the goals of the National Tourism Strategy.
The main concepts of the new law were presented to an audience of government and industry stakeholders on Sunday.
The new law is part of a reform effort to augment the role of the private sector and its contribution to expanding and developing the country's tourism sector, as well as raising performance standards of tourism professions, according to a Siyaha statement.
The legislation completely differs from all previous laws related to tourism as it introduces tourism site management and planning concepts. It changes the ministry's role from that of an operator to one of a regulator and also sets more transparent and efficient systems for licensing of tourism professions and protecting the interests of tourists, the statement said.
The Tourism Law covers four areas: Management and growth of tourism assets, regulating and upgrading tourism professions, tourism marketing, and vocational training." Read More>>

Source: MENAFM/The Jordan Times

"Mergers: Commission clears proposed creation of Moneydirect joint venture between Amadeus and Sabre"

According to the EU Press Room, "The European Commission has approved, under the EU Merger Regulation, the creation by Amadeus of Spain and Sabre of the US of Moneydirect, a full function joint venture which will be active in the field of payment processing and clearing systems. Both parent companies also provide electronic travel distribution services to the travel industry through a global distribution system (GDS). The Commission has concluded that the transaction would not significantly impede effective competition in the European Economic Area (EEA) or any substantial part of it."

This Press Release is available in full text.

"Rules for tourist home stays under way"

As reported by Wangui Maina, at Business Daily Africa, "The Ministry of Tourism is considering guidelines to encourage home stays to address bed shortage.
The move will see home owners with extra space get registration to accommodate tourists on their premises, at a cost, and under guidelines stipulated by the ministry.
Currently, there are no proper guidelines on where home stays can be licensed or even a star rating for the facilities as is the case in destinations like South Africa.
Speaking to Business Daily, Mr Mwangi Gakunga, the public relations officer at the Ministry of Tourism, said there was no data on how many home stays there are in the country. 'So far, there are also no clear guidelines on where home stays can be found. However, we are working toward putting them in place,' he added." Read more >>

"State aid: European Commission opens investigation into support to Alghero airport, Italy"

As stated by the EU Press Room, "The European Commission has decided to launch a formal investigation into support that would have been granted by the Sardinia Region and SOGEAAL SpA, the publicly owned company operating Alghero airport, to various air carriers, and by the Sardinia Region to SOGEAAL SpA. The investigation will allow the Commission to assess whether such support falls afoul of EU State aid rules.
The Commission's investigation will focus around three separate aspects. Firstly, the Commission will investigate agreements between SOGEAAL and Irish air carrier Ryanair concerning marketing support and other contributions. In this regard, one of the main aspects of the Commission's in-depth inquiry will be to assess whether the support provided could have been granted by a market economy investor, in which case such support would not fall under EU State aid rules.
Secondly, the Commission will investigate a number of handling fee rebates which are apparently granted to low-cost air carriers at Alghero airport.
Finally, the Commission considers that financial support and compensation granted to SOGEAAL SpA for its operating losses and capital increase might constitute State aid in favour of the airport operator.
Should the formal investigation lead to the conclusion that one or several of these measures constitute State aid, the Commission will need to assess whether they can be declared as 'compatible State aid'.
The Commission has launched this formal investigation following a complaint from a competing airline."

"Black list of banned airlines: the European Commission adopts new measures"

According to the EU Press Room, "The European Commission today adopted the fifth update of the Community’s list of airlines banned in the European Union; this was first drawn up in March 2006 and last amended in July. The new list replaces the previous one and can already be consulted on the Commission’s website [1]. With this update the Commission is banning in the European Union two new airlines that have been found to be unsafe: Ukrainian Mediterranean Airlines from Ukraine and the Iranian company, Mahan Air.
'This latest update illustrates once more that the black list is a dynamic instrument which the Commission can use whenever necessary, without having to wait for the quarterly reviews', said Jacques Barrot, Commission Vice-President in charge of transport.
On the basis of notifications from several Member States, the Commission questioned the two carriers (Ukrainian Mediterranean Airlines and Mahan Air) and the respective national civil aviation authorities responsible for their supervision. It also consulted the committee of Member State air safety experts, whose task it is to assist the Commission in such matters and who unanimously approved the bans."

UK: Tour operators lose 'stealth tax' legal challenge

A group of tour operators has lost its High Court challenge against the Government's Air Passenger Duty (APD), a controversial £2 billion a year levy branded a “stealth tax of the skies”.
Dismissing a legal challenge brought by the Federation of Tour Operators (FTO) and two of its member companies - Tui UK and Kuoni Travel – a judge ruled that APD was a lawful charge.
The judge also upheld Gordon Brown's decision earlier this year to double APD, leaving holiday companies with a “shock” bill of some £50 million they could not pass on to customers because of insufficient notice of the increase.
Dismissing the case, which was an application for a judicial review, a mechanism through which interested parties can attempt to challenge Government decisions through the courts, Mr Justice Stanley Burnton, said had has “some sympathy” for the tour operators. However, claimants had not established any of their grounds for challenging APD or its increase.
The FTO was refused permission to appeal, but can still ask the Court of Appeal directly to consider its case. It said it was “disappointed” with the outcome and was considering a possible appeal.

Source: timesonline; read full article here. FTO's statement to be found here.

"Air pilgrims face holy water ban"

"Pilgrims on the Vatican's new chartered airline have been told to leave holy water behind for security reasons.
Officials at Tarbes-Lourdes airport in southern France said that bottles of water from the shrine at Lourdes could present a potential terrorist threat.
The pilgrims were told they could not carry holy water in bottles bigger than the maximum allowed: 100 ml.
Security staff at the airport said they were simply following international anti-terror regulations.
Measures limiting liquids allowed in carry-on baggage came in response to claims by British police in 2006 that there was a plot to bring down US-bound flights using liquid explosives.
Francesco Pizzo, Mistral Air's president, said the company had to respect international regulations on the matter.
The airline provided a small bottle of holy water, in the shape of the Virgin Mary, for each passenger, once they had boarded the plane for the flight home from Lourdes.
Mistral Air began flights from Rome to Lourdes on Monday and plans to extend its service to other Roman Catholic shrines."

Source: BBC News.

"Illegal travel operators earn millions USD"

"Investigators of the Vietnam National Administration of Tourism (VNAT) recently inspected tour operations related to groups of visitors at Hanoi's Van Mieu – Quoc Tu Giam (Temple of Literature). In less than two hours, they discovered nearly ten cases of violations of the Tourism Law, mainly illegal international travel operations.
So far this year, VNAT has asked the Ministry of Public Security to expel 18 foreigners who illegally worked as tour guides in Vietnam.
VNAT's investigation revealed 25 tour guides who violated the Tourism Law, six companies committed violations related to international travel services, and four illegal foreign tourism representative offices." Read more >>

Source: VietNamNet Bridge.

Vietnam: Man sues budget airline over disabled-access fee

A Vietnamese man is suing the country's budget airline for charging him a wheelchair service for his disabled wife to board a flight from Ho Chi Minh City to Hanoi claiming the airline did not inform him of any extra fees for disabled passengers when he purchased tickets for the flight. Pacific Airlines is refusing to pay the man's claim of 25 dollars, half the fee he was charged, because it would "create a bad precedent," a spokesman told the English-language Vietnam News.
No court date has been set for the case, filed August 16 in Tan Binh District Court of Ho Chi Minh City. Vietnam does not have strong laws requiring equal access for disabled people, according to Trinh Minh Hien, head of the Ministry of Transport's legal department.

Source: earthtimes.com, reas full article here.

"Calmer heads should prevail on U.S. visa provision"

Yesterday, the International Herald Tribune published a very interesting article, written by Daniel Griswold, Director of the Cato Institute's Center for Trade Policy Studies, on the current US Visa Policy, that is available in full text, here.

"Terror alert puts cloud over Bali travel cover"

As reported by Clive Dorman, at The Age, "A Travel law specialist has warned that government advice about travel to Indonesia may technically invalidate travel insurance for trips to the holiday island of Bali.
Even though insurers continue to cover travellers to Bali, Tony Cordato, of Sydney's Cordato Partners Tourism Lawyers, believes the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade's advice for travel to Bali triggers the exclusion clause in travel insurance policies that disqualifies covering anyone who ignores government warnings.
The department advises that people should 'reconsider their need' to travel to Indonesia, including Bali, 'because of the very high threat of terrorist attack'. It is the second-highest category, a so-called level four warning. Mr Cordato said that while the issue had not been tested in court, 'the conclusion must be that there is no travel insurance coverage for travel to countries where level four travel advisories apply'.
Travel insurers and the Insurance Council of Australia have so far been unwilling to weigh in on the issue. But the industry is already facing a dramatic increase in disputes over travel insurance policies as more Australians, particularly older Australians, travel overseas."

"British Airways Plc and Korean Air Line Co. Ltd. Agree to Plead Guilty and Pay Criminal Fines Totaling $600 Million for Fixing Prices [...]"

As stated by the US Department Of Justice, "WASHINGTON — U.K.-based British Airways Plc and South Korean-based Korean Air Lines Co. Ltd. have each agreed to plead guilty and pay separate $300 million criminal fines for their roles in conspiracies to fix the prices of passenger and cargo flights, announced the Department of Justice. Today's plea agreements are the first to arise from the Antitrust Division's ongoing investigation into the air transportation industry.
The charges against the two airline companies were filed today in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia. Under the plea agreements, which are subject to court approval, British Airways and Korean Air have agreed to cooperate with the Department's ongoing investigation.
'The Department of Justice is committed to vigorous antitrust enforcement and will continue to bring to justice those who fix prices and thereby deprive the American public of the benefits afforded by a truly competitive market,' said Attorney General Alberto R. Gonzales. 'International law enforcement cooperation is crucial in prosecuting global cartels such as these, and today's enforcement actions represent the successful coordination between the United States and the U.K.'s Office of Fair Trading.'."

This Press Release is available in full text.

"China Tells Its Tourists No Shouting"

"China's advice to its citizens who travel abroad: No fighting, no shouting and, please, no extortion.
The new guidelines for Chinese tourists, posted on the Foreign Ministry's Web site Tuesday, cover a wide range of dangerous or problem behavior to help head off trouble. Travelers are told to avoid drawing attention to themselves, respect local customs, and keep a wary eye on strangers.
'Keep peaceful in public places, don't talk loud and avoid sticking out,' the guidelines said. 'Don't get involved in other people's quarrels in public places,' it added, a nod to the Chinese habit of gathering in large crowds to observe or even take part in others' arguments and fights.
The suggestions also urged Chinese to respect local laws and not to try to cut corners or make threats. 'When your legal rights are violated, avoid making things worse and resolve the problem through upright channels, not through extortion or other illegal methods,' the guidelines said.
Along with the booming economy, Chinese have become a major presence in international tourism in recent years. While most are welcomed for the cash they spend, there have been incidents of Chinese abroad causing both offense through obnoxious behavior and being preyed on by criminals or cheats.
The number of Chinese who travel outside their homeland each year is expected to nearly triple to 100 million people by 2020."

Source: The Associated Press.

Austria: Court of appeal decision on information about Ramadan related restrictions

Oberlandesgericht Wien (Vienna Court of Appeal) recently decided that tour organizers and travel agents have a duty to inform about Ramadan related restrictions in hotel services. Plaintiff had booked a package tour to Abu Dahbi including accommodation in the well reputed luxury hotel "Emirates Palace". At arrival plaintiff and his wife were told that due to Ramadan breakfast time is limited to 11 am. Next morning they entered the breakfast room shortly before 11 am, the plaintiff wearing shorts and a short sleeve shirt. He was told that the hotel's dress code requires trousers and jacket in breakfast room but, however, as an exception allowed to stay for this time. When on the beach they ordered cigarettes and beer they were told that this was impossible due to Ramadan, kiosk, restaurant and café at the beach and the other 20 restaurants within the hotel area were closed, eating, drinking and smoking in public was prohibited and could only be done in the hotel room. As due to the booking situation it was impossible to change hotel, they broke off their vacations. The competent employee of the tour organizer knew about the Ramadan but did not tell the travel agent where the tour was booked.
Court of appeal held that the tour organizer had culpably failed to inform about Ramadan related restrictions and therefore granted repayment of full prize and compensation for loss of holiday enjoyment.

(Oberlandesgericht Wien 27.02.2007, 4 R 153/06h)

"Mergers: Commission clears proposed acquisition of US provider of electronic travel distribution services Worldspan by Travelport (US)"

According to the EU Press Room, "The European Commission has cleared under the EU Merger Regulation Travelport's proposed acquisition of sole control of Worldspan. Both companies provide electronic travel distribution services through a Global Distribution System (GDS). The Commission was initially concerned that the proposed transaction would give rise to competition concerns on the market for the provision of GDS services to travel service providers (airlines, car rental companies, hotels, etc) in the European Economic Area (EEA) and to travel agents in several Member States (Belgium, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, The Netherlands and the UK), and therefore opened a detailed inquiry (see IP/07/607). However, the in-depth investigation has shown that the acquisition is unlikely to result in unilateral price increases by the merged firm. It also found that the reduction of the number of GDSs operating in the EEA from four to three would be unlikely to result in coordinated behaviour between the remaining GDSs. The Commission has therefore concluded that the proposed transaction would not significantly impede effective competition within the EEA or a significant part of it."

This Press Release is available in full text.

"Vatican plans flights to shrines"

"The Vatican is to launch a low-cost charter flight service to transport pilgrims to holy sites worldwide.
The inaugural flight on 27 August will go from Rome to Lourdes in France.
A small Italian airline, Mistral, will provide the planes, with the interiors decorated with sacred inscriptions such as: 'I search for your face, Lord.'
Other destinations could include Fatima in Portugal and Santiago di Compostela in Spain, the Holy Land, Poland and a Catholic shrine in Mexico.
The vicar of Rome, Cardinal Camillo Ruini, is expected to be on the first flight to Lourdes, which already attracts eight million pilgrims each year.

Big Business
Some of the cabin crew will be 'specialised in the voyages of a sacred nature' according Italy's Ansa news agency.
The BBC's David Willey in Rome says religious tourism is already big business, with some 200 million Christian pilgrims expected to visit holy places in different parts of the world this year.
When Pope Benedict XVI travels abroad he normally charters a plane from the Italian national carrier, Alitalia, or from the country he is visiting, our correspondent says.
The Vatican City has no airport, just a helipad used occasionally by the Pope."

Source: BBC NEWS.

UK: OFT takes action against 13 airlines over misleading holiday pricing

Following the OFT's warning to the holiday and travel industry in February, the OFT has successfully taken action against 13 airlines that did not include all fixed, non-optional costs, such as taxes, in prices on their websites.As a result eleven airlines have already changed their advertisements and websites (both their homepages and booking processes) to include fixed, non-optional costs in their advertised prices and the OFT expects continued compliance from these airlines. Two other airlines, Aer Lingus and Ryanair, have changed their homepages, but have said technical issues prevent them from changing their entire website booking processes immediately. However, the OFT is satisfied that these airlines will be making these changes shortly, and will continue to monitor the situation to ensure the agreed changes are made.

In a co-ordinated move, ABTA - The Travel Association has taken action against members that have failed to comply with the ABTA Code of Conduct in relation to the same type of misleading price indications. On 13 June, the ABTA Code of Conduct Committee handed out fines and reprimands to several ABTA members for failing to include fixed, non-optional costs in prices. The OFT strongly welcomes and supports ABTA's action.

Source: OFT press release 118/07.

US-Court: Airline passengers can't back out of searches

Citing concerns about terrorism, the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals has ruled that airline passengers lose their right to object to a search after they go through initial security screenings. Judge Carlos Bea wrote that requiring authorization from passengers during ongoing searches "makes little sense in a post 9/11 world."
The San Francisco-based court, ruling in a case involving a Hawaii man, said airline passengers couldn't refuse searches once they place their belongings on an X-ray tray or walk through a metal detector. It was the appeals court's second decision in the case of Daniel Kuualoha Aukai because it wanted to clarify an earlier decision on the issue of consent. Last year, the court ruled Aukai couldn't back out of additional searches even after he no longer wanted to board a flight.

Source: mercurynews.com; read full article here.

USA: Airline Liable for Death from Lost Baggage

The United States Court of Appeals upheld a lower Federal Court's ruling against American Airlines. The airline forced an elderly woman to check her bag along with necessary medical devices.
The airline lost her checked items. The victim died at age 65 after flying from Los Angeles to Guyana in 1997. It is thought that this is the first case to ever hold an airline liable for the death of a passenger caused by delay or missing baggage.
The lower court had ruled that the airlines were responsible for a "willful misconduct" death. The District Court concluded that the seizure of the victim's bag proximately caused her death.
Source: raleigh.injuryboard.com; read full article here.

UK: British Airways fined £269m for fixing prices with Virgin

British Airways was fined a total of £269 million for conspiring to fix the price of air fares but the airline could be forced to pay out millions more to passengers seeking compensation.
The Office of Fair Trading (OFT) fined BA £121.5 million for anti-competitive behaviour, the largest penalty it has levied against a single company. The US Department of Justice (DOJ) fined the airline a further $300 million (£147 million), the second largest anti-trust penalty it has levied.
These fines could be dwarfed by compensation demands from passengers and companies who have paid higher fares because of BA’s actions. British passengers are understood to have signed up to a class-action lawsuit that has been filed in the US and a further legal demand for restitution is expected to be filed in a London court this year.
The charges against BA relate to two instances of price fixing. In the first, BA and Virgin Atlantic discussed the amount they would charge customers to cover increases in the price of fuel. These “fuel surcharges” were introduced in 2004 and, over a period of 18 months until early last year, the two airlines colluded on the level and timing of increases to their surcharges.
The second case of price-fixing relates to fuel surcharges for carrying cargo. This is a far wider investigation that covers about a dozen airlines in the US, Europe, Asia and Australia.

Source: timesonline.com; read full article here.

"New regulation paves the way to reducing confiscation of duty free liquids at community airports for passengers arriving from third countries"

According to the EU Press Room, "Today the Commission adopted a regulation to address the disruption faced by air passengers who arrive from third countries carrying duty free liquids bought abroad and who wish to transfer at an EU airport. At present, any quantity of liquid bought outside the EU that is greater than the limited amounts currently permitted in hand-baggage must be abandoned at the EU airport since there is no way of checking that it has been subject to similar security standards as liquids on sale in EU airports. The Regulation will allow the Commission to verify whether equivalent standards are applied in a third country and whether the overall standard of aviation security is satisfactory, thereby allowing liquids bought in duty free shops there to be allowed on aircraft in the EU. This will allow transit passengers arriving from these countries to carry their purchases onto their internal EU flight."

This Press Release is available in full text, as well as a Q&A Page about this subject.

Germany: Another Preliminary Ruling Procedure Instituted by German Supreme Court

By decision of 17th July 2007 German Supreme Court (BGH) has moved for another Preliminary Ruling of the European Court of Justice (ECJ) in regard to Regulation (EC) 261/2004 . Whereas the first German request for Preliminary Ruling, filed by OLG Frankfurt, aimed for clarification in regard to the scope of application of the Regulation, the BGH's request concerns differentiation of cancellation and delay.
Some German courts held that the differentiation of cancellation and delay had to take into regard the time factor and the reasonability for passengers (AG Rüsselsheim 07.11.2006, 3 C 717/06). Extraordinary delays of 22 hours (AG Düsseldorf 12.10.2006, 30 C 1726/06-75), or more than 48 hours (AG Rüsselsheim, as above) therefore had to be considered as cancellations rather than delays only. Other decisions held that time played no role for the differentiation and decided that a flight departing 25 hours after scheduled departure time were still delayed and not "cancelled" (LG Darmstadt, RRa 2006, 227).
The questions posed to the ECJ by BGH therefore are the following:
1) Does the interpretation of the term "cancellation" and its differentiation from "delay" basicly depend on wether the original flight planning was abandoned so that a deferment of departure regardless of its duration doesn't constitute "cancellation" as long as the airline did not abandon the planning of the original flight?
2) Otherwise: under which circumstances will a deferment of departure not only constitute delay but has to be treated as cancellation? Does the answer to this question depend on the duration of the delay?

Source: BGH press release 102/2007.

IATA Half Year Traffic Results: Passenger Growth Strong, Cargo Sluggish

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) released traffic results for the first six months of the year showing 6.3% growth in year-on-year international passenger demand, slightly higher than the 5.9% rise recorded for the year 2006. However, passenger demand growth weakened to 5.3% for the month of June, the lowest growth rate in nine months.
Freight demand for the first six months of 2007 grew 2.7%, well below the 4.6% growth recorded for the same period in 2006. While year-to-date demand growth is weaker than forecast, June year-on-year demand for freight grew 4.9%. This is the second consecutive month of strengthening demand for freight, following the 5.0% growth recorded in May, and could be indicating a return to historical growth levels in the 5-6% range.

Source: IATA News No. 27. Full June trafic results availbale here.

"Travel Industry Applauds Congressional Passage Of 9/11"

"The travel and tourism industry applauds the House and Senate for agreeing to the conference report accompanying H.R. 1, the Implementing the 9/11 Commission Recommendations Act of 2007. By a vote of 85 to 8, the Senate agreed to the same conference report, which combines House and Senate versions of the bills, H.R. 1 and S. 4, respectively. House approval on July 27, by a vote of 371 to 40, sends the bill to the President for his signature. It includes provisions vital to protecting our nation’s economy and supporting our public diplomacy efforts abroad by increasing international travel to the U.S." Read more >>

Source: Hotel Interactive.

"SUIT VS. LADIES' NIGHTS"

As reported by Andy Geller, at the New York Post, "A Manhattan lawyer has filed a class-action suit against some of New York's most sizzling hot spots, such as Copacabana and China Club, claiming their ladies' nights discriminate against men.
Attorney Roy Den Hollander says that by offering lower - or no - admission fees and shorter waiting times behind the velvet rope, the clubs violate the 14th Amendment's guarantee of equal protection under the law.
His suit seeks an end to the practice of admitting women at a lower price than men." Read more>>

"New Law to Boost Tourism in Uganda Africa"

"After previous plans to revamp the tourism sector failed, stakeholders have now pinned all hope to rejuvenate this sleeping giant on Bill that has been in Parliament for two years. The Tourism Bill 2005 that has been gathering dust in the House without making it to the floor is now expected to be enacted into law before the end of this year following the intervention of President Yoweri Museveni. Gorillas in Bwindi National Park are a leading tourist attraction It seeks to remove the legal and institutional bottlenecks to the development of the tourism industry that presently accounts for 25% of the country’s total export earnings." Read more>>

Source: Uganda Travel News

"Travel venture attracts criticism"

The Hankyoreh states that "Lotte JTB, a joint travel venture between retail giant Lotte Group and Japan's largest travel agency, Japan Travel Bureau (JTB), began operations earlier this month, creating a stir in the local tourism industry.
On July 18, The Korea Tourism Association denounced Lotte JTB's advance into the tourism market and submitted a petition to the Presidential office calling for revision of a related law to prevent large companies from entering the tourism industry. Lotte Group is the fifth largest conglomerate by assets in Korea.
According to the petition, 'Lotte JTB’s business goal is to attract 1.2 million South Korean customers to overseas trips in 2011. The figure accounts for a third of the domestic overseas tourism market. In this case, most of the smaller travel agencies will inevitably go bankrupt.'
'The establishment of Lotte JTB is legally flawless, but we are very angry at conglomerates that try to destroy the domestic market by attracting foreign giants,' said the association.
In response, an official of Lotte JTB said, 'When we made our business plan, we aimed at attracting 1.2 million people, however that is just an estimate. JTB first looked for a Korean partner to provide services to Japanese visitors to South Korea'."

"Your Taxes: Grants available for tourism promoters"

As reported by Leon Harris, at the Jerusalem Post, "The Tourism Ministry has just published the procedures for obtaining grants from the Inbound Tourism Organizers Fund. As its name suggests, this fund aims to support and expand inbound tourism into Israel in order to increase state revenues by providing ground arrangements in Israel for tourists from abroad.
The fund offers grants of up to 50 percent of the actual outlays incurred on recognized marketing activities of inbound tourism organizers in the period from April 1, 2007 to March 31, 2008. The organizers are the commercial link in the chain who put together and market tourism packages in Israel for foreign tourists. The organizers must be Israeli companies whose principal activity is supplying travel agency services (as defined in the Travel Services Law 1976), which include services to foreign tourists."

This article is available in full text.

Australia: United Air Lines to use all-inclusive price advertising

United Airlines has provided court enforceable undertakings to the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACC) after concerns were raised about its airfare advertising. The ACCC became aware that United Air Lines had been advertising headline airfares on its Australian based website and in newspapers without including applicable taxes, levies and charges payable by a consumer as a pre-condition of receiving the services.
Failing to make the total price to be paid clear in advertisements is likely to mislead consumers and breach the Trade Practices Act 1974.
As part of the undertakings, United Airlines will also review its trade practices compliance program to ensure it will continue to meet its obligations under the Act.

Source: http://www.accc.gov.au/; read full article here.

"Commission clears acquisition of nine European hotels in the Hilton chain by Morgan Stanley"

According to the EU Press Room, "The European Commission has granted clearance under the EU Merger Regulation to the acquisition of sole control of a portfolio of nine European hotels, currently controlled by Hilton Hotels Corporation (Hilton) of the US by Morgan Stanley Real Estate F International Funding, L.P. (MSREF) of the US, part of the Morgan Stanley group of companies (MS) of the US. MSREF is active in real estate investment and management. MS is a global financial services institution. Hilton owns, manages and franchises hotels. The operation was examined under the simplified merger review procedure."

"Travel Lawyer highlights black hole in Travel Insurance Cover"

"In giving a presentation to the Diploma Travel Annual Conference last Saturday on the Gold Coast, Travel Lawyer, Anthony Cordato, highlighted the black hole that exists in Travel Insurance cover.
'What we are talking about is that if a traveller visits certain high-risk countries, then they are not covered for medical and hospital expenses, medical evacuation, financial loss (including cancellation and trip disruption) and accidental death or total permanent disability', Cordato says.
'It’s like using a mobile phone when driving, as soon as you enter some areas, there is no coverage.'
The black hole is the exclusion found in Travel Insurance policies that you did not follow advice in the mass media of a government or other official body’s warning against travel to a particular country or parts of a particular country." Read more >>

Source: eTravel Blackboard.

"Experts urge EU to implement 'single sky'"

Today, EurActiv.com underlines that "Member states must overcome their reluctance to hand over sovereignty on air-traffic control systems and speed up the implementation of a unified European system in order to improve industry's efficiency, enhance safety and slash CO2 emissions, according to a report by high-level experts."

The full text article, complemented with other contents, is available here.

"Better protection from sun after Commission action"

As stated by the EU Press Room, "Consumers will benefit from a new clearer labelling regime on sunscreen bottles being phased in this summer. The new labels –including a new UV-A logo or seal on bottles and a ban on misleading terms such as 'sunblocker' or 'total protection' - are a response to a European Commission recommendation on sunscreen products agreed in September 2006. As well as explaining the new sunscreen labelling system, the Commission, through an information campaign in partnership with Member States is seeking to raise awareness that there are several reasons why sunscreen products should be only one out of a number of measures which are necessary to protect from the UV radiation of the sun. The improved labelling regime is being phased in and will appear on 20% of sunscreen bottles this summer."

"High-level experts call for more performance-driven air traffic management"

According to the EU Press Room, "The high-level group on the future aviation regulatory framework delivered yesterday its long-awaited report to European Commission Vice-President Barrot. The group has come up with a list of ten recommendations and a roadmap with concrete measures on how to boost performance of the air traffic management system. Improvements can only be achieved through strong performance regulation, where market forces fail, and changing the governance structures, so as to bridge the gap between decision making and funding. An 'Aviation System Coordinator' should promote actions in the field of capacity both in airspace and at airports. These recommendations are already preparing the revision of the single European sky legislation. They will also facilitate the success of SESAR, the programme aimed at modernizing Europe's air traffic management system."

This Press Release is available in full text.

"U.S. Seeks to Tighten Int'l Air Security While Promoting Inbound Travel"

As reported by David Jonas, at The Transnational, "U.S. and European officials last week reached a new agreement on sharing transatlantic air passenger data, a development that would remove the threat of suspended U.S. landing rights for European airlines. Industry groups that had feared a possible disruption to business travel after 31 July--when an interim deal expires--applauded the agreement, which still requires final approval from 27 European Union member states.
As U.S. officials were resolving that potential snag in the transatlantic aviation market, a Senate Commerce committee passed new legislation that would promote inbound travel by foreigners while the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, congressional leaders and industry representatives were discussing the latest efforts to collect biometric information from both inbound and outbound international travelers."

This article is available in full text.

"Airlines black list: Commission adopts new measures against unsafe carriers"

As just stated by the EU Press Room, "Today, the European Commission adopted the fourth update of the Community list of airlines banned in the European Union. This list includes an operating ban of all Indonesian airlines as well as of the Angolan flag carrier, TAAG Angolan airlines, and of Volare Aviation Enterprise from Ukraine. The restrictions previously imposed on Pakistan International Airlines are modified. In addition, airlines from Russia (10) Bulgaria (6) and Moldova (8) have to stop their operations in the European Union on the basis of new measures adopted by these States following consultations with the European Commission."

This Press Release is available in full text.

WHO: Study results released on travel and blood clots

WHO on 29. June 2007 released results from Phase I of the WHO Research Into Global Hazards of Travel (WRIGHT) project. Findings indicate that the risk of developing venous thromboembolism (VTE) approximately doubles after travel lasting four hours or more. However, the study points out that even with this increased risk, the absolute risk of developing VTE, if seated and immobile for more than four hours, remains relatively low at about 1 in 6000.
Thromboembolism occurs when a blood clot (from a deep vein thrombosis) in a leg vein breaks off and travels through the body to the lungs where it becomes lodged and blocks blood flow. This is known as pulmonary embolism, and symptoms include chest pain and breathing difficulties. VTE can be treated, but if it is not, it can lead to death.
The study showed that plane, train, bus or automobile passengers are at higher risk of VTE when they remain seated and immobile on journeys of more than four hours. This is due to a stagnation of blood in the veins caused by prolonged immobility, which can promote blood clot formation in veins.
One study within the project examining flights in particular found that those taking multiple flights over a short period of time are also at higher risk. This is because the risk of VTE does not go away completely after a flight is over, and the risk remains elevated for about four weeks.

Source: WHO; read full article here. Final report of Phase I of the study for download here.

EU: Council of Ministers adopts Regulation for European Small Claims Procedure

On 13 June, the Council of Ministers adopted a common position establishing a European Small Claims Procedure.
The regulation simplifies, speeds up and reduces the cost of court procedures for small claims and establishes the European Small Claims Procedure, giving citizens an alternative to current legal procedures of EU Member States.
The procedure will apply to civil and commercial matters where the claim does not exceed €2,000 both in pecuniary and non-pecuniary cases. The common position introduces procedural modifications with respect to the proposal of 15 March 2005, as the use of standard forms and time limits to speed up litigation.
Lastly, the judgment shall be recognized and enforced in another Member State automatically without any possibility of questioning its legitimacy. The new procedure will apply from 1 January 2009.

Source: Health & Consumer Voice, June 2007

Bahamas To Ratify Sustainable Tourism Convention

The Bahamas is set to ratify the Association of Caribbean States (ACS) Sustainable Tourism Convention, and Chairman of the ACS Special Committee on Sustained Tourism, Bahamas Tourism Minister Neko Grant, has urged other regional leaders to follow suit.
The Director of Sustainable Tourism of the ACS, Jasmin Garraway, who addressed the meeting on b ehalf of the secretary general expressed her satisfaction at the news of the impending ratification of the Tourism Convention by The Bahamas. She also congratulated the Minister both the decisive step and on his new role as Chairman of the Special Committee on Tourism.
The Bahamas was elected Chairman of the Special Committee on Sustainable Tourism at the 12th Ordinary Meeting of the Ministerial Council Meeting in Guatemala, after having served as Vice Chairman of that Committee for 2 consecutive years.

Source: The Bahama Journal; full article here.

Angola threatens reprisals if EU goes ahead with national airline ban

Angolan government warned it could ban European airlines from Angolan airspace, after the EU blacklisted the African country's flag-carrier. The EU said last week it had added the Angolan airline, TAAG, to its international blacklist, barring it from flying to EU nations because of safety concerns. TAAG operates scheduled flight to Paris and Lisbon, Portugal. Air France, British Airways and TAP Air Portugal all fly to the Angolan capital, Luanda.

Source: International Herald Tribune; read full article here.

"Indonesia deplores EU flight ban"

"The Indonesian government is disappointed with a decision by the European Commission to ban all Indonesian airlines from flying to the European Union and has asked a chance to make a defense, an official said Monday.
Transportation Minister Jusman Syafii Djamal said the decision was unilaterally taken without prior dialogues with the government. 'We consider the EU has acted unfairly and therefore we are very disappointed,' he was quoted by leading news website Detikcom as saying.
The minister made his remarks during a meeting with the International Civil Aviation Organziation (ICAO) on Bali island. 'We do not expect that the process to improve aviation safety in Indonesia will involve the isolation of (our) airlines,' he said at the meeting attended also by ICAO president Roberto Kobeh Gonzales.
Jusman said the government on June 22 asked the EU to give an opportunity to the government to brief EU officials about the actions Indonesia has taken to improve air transportation safety before the EU announced the ban.
The EU reportedly agreed to meet Indonesian transport officials but only in October as the soonest. 'That's another reason why Indonesia is very disappointed,' said Jusman."

(Source: People's Daily Online)

"DOT Allows BA To Expand Transatlantic Routes"

"The U.S. Department of Transportation on Friday granted British Airways blanket authority to serve any point in the United States from any point in the European Union upon the enactment of the Open Skies agreement next March.
British Airways CEO Willie Walsh last week during a presentation at a BritishAmerican Business forum in New York said BA last month became the first Europe-based carrier to file for the blanket authority afforded by the recent approval of the EU-U.S. Open Skies treaty, and already had its sights set on origin cities in the European Union-including Paris, Frankfurt, Amsterdam, Brussels and Milan-to serve New York and other U.S. cities." Read More>>
(Source: BTNonline.com)

USA: SkyWest Pilots fighting for their federal right to organize

U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California issued a preliminary injunction upholding SkyWest Airlines pilots’ federal rights to discuss and learn more about the Air Line Pilots Association, International (ALPA) and the benefits of union representation, and finding that the company had unlawfully interfered with those rights. The SkyWest Pilots ALPA Organizing Committee is working with ALPA to gain union representation for SkyWest pilots.
The preliminary injunction allows SkyWest pilots to continue to wear ALPA lanyards, talk about ALPA openly, and distribute ALPA-related materials on non-work time in non-work areas such as the crew lounge and bulletin boards—all rights which the company has sought throughout this process to deny.
The Court concluded that the Organizing Committee had made a strong showing that SkyWest management has unlawfully interfered with the federal right of SkyWest pilots to organize. In its opinion, the Court also addressed SkyWest’s funding of its in-house pilot organization. Although the Court declined to order SkyWest to cease funding immediately, it did indicate that management’s 100 percent funding of the organization almost certainly violates the Railway Labor Act.
Formed in 1931, ALPA is the world’s largest pilots union, representing more than 60,000 pilots and crewmembers at 41 airlines in the U.S. and Canada.

Source: ALPA press release #07.036

UNTWO: Strong World Tourism Growth in 2007

The year 2007 has started on a higher than expected note for global tourism. From January through April, international tourist arrivals worldwide rose by over 6% to 252 million, representing an additional 15 million arrivals as against the same period in 2006, according to the latest UNWTO World Tourism Barometer.
Asia and the Pacific (+9%) achieved the strongest growth, followed by Africa (+8%), the Middle East (+8%) and Europe (+6%). Although arrivals to the Americas (+4%), showed the slowest growth rate among the world regions during the first four months of 2007, this performance is nevertheless very positive as the region doubled the 2007 forecast growth (+2%). Though these results are limited to the first months of the year, and growth generally tends to be slower in the upcoming traditional Northern Hemisphere high season, UNWTO is confident that worldwide growth in excess of 4% forecast for 2007 will be achieved, barring any unforeseen negative events over the remainder of the year.

Source: UNTWO Press release 29.06.2007; excerpt of the latest UNWTO World Tourism Barometer available here.

"Departure tax: Government urged to settle issue before European court ruling"

As reported by Herman Grech, at The Times of Malta, "The government may be forced to refund the departure taxes paid by passengers since May 2004 if European Commission action in the European Court is successful.
MEP Simon Busuttil, who was the first to question the legality of the departure tax in its existing format, told The Times there was good reason for Malta to settle this issue before the court delivers its judgement."

Read this article in full text.

Galapagos Islands tourism to end?

The International Galapagos Tour Operators Association (IGTOA) has said it concurs with the findings of the United Nations stating that the Galapagos Islands is being threatened by tourism, invasive species and migration. These factors, the IGTOA said, “are causing unprecedented pressure on the islands and that urgent action is needed."
This development comes after UN's World Heritage Committee last week added the Galapagos Islands to the list of World Heritage Sites in Danger. Inscribed in 1978, the Galapagos is the first site to have been placed on the World Heritage List.
According to the IGTOA, the number of days spent by passengers of cruise ships has increased by 150 percent over the past 15 years.

Source: eTurboNews; read full article here.

"England smoking ban takes effect"

The BBC News reports that "Smokers across England have sparked up at work and in the pub for the last time as the ban on smoking in enclosed public places begins.
The new law, which came into effect at 0600 BST, is intended to cut deaths from second-hand smoke. Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland already have similar bans in place.
Many venues held farewell events for the final night of smoking on Saturday, while local authorities are preparing to enforce the ban.
Doctors estimate second-hand smoke kills more than 600 people a year. The government also hopes it will help smokers to quit, and discourage children from taking up the habit."

Along with this, other related news are available in full text.

"Competition: Commission ends block exemption for IATA passenger tariff conferences for routes between the EU and non-EU countries"

As stated by the EU Press Room, "The European Commission has decided not to renew a Block Exemption Regulation that exempts IATA passenger tariff conferences concerning air routes between the EU and non-EU countries from the EC Treaty’s ban on restrictive business practices (Article 81). Tariff conferences allow airlines to agree prices for multi-leg flights on the same ticket that use more than one carrier. The exemption expires on 30 June 2007 for routes between the EU and the US or Australia, and on 31 October 2007 for routes between the EU and other third countries (see IP/06/1294 and MEMO/06/359). IATA has not supplied data that would allow the Commission to conclude that an exemption would continue to benefit passengers. IATA is now developing a new interlining system to replace passenger tariff conferences: this will not be covered by a block exemption and, as is the case for other sectors of the economy, it will be for IATA and individual carriers to ensure that their agreements are compatible with the competition rules."

This Press Release is available in full text.

USA: Bush administration under pressure over travel rule

The public and various US lawmakers are clamoring for changes to the Bush administration's controversial Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI). This comes as news of the United States Department of Homeland Security recently implemented some changes to the travel rule because of a huge backlog in passport applications.
Last week, the Senate Appropriations Committee and the full House unanimously voted to delay implementation of WHTI anytime before June 2009. The full Senate must now vote and is expected to consider the rule's delay in coming weeks.
This action comes after the Bush administration announced earlier this month it will delay the air requirements of the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative due to extensive delays in processing passport applications. US citizens are now allowed to travel by air with a government issued photo identification and Department of State official proof of application for a passport now through Sept. 30, 2007.
Meanwhile, the National Tour Association (NTA) has said it believes the requirements of the WHTI should not take effect until June 2009 at the earliest, as supported by legislation currently in Congress.

Source: eTurboNews; full article available here.