UNWTO: Event on Travel and Tourism under Challenging Circumstances

To be better prepared for crisis situations, the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), with the joint collaboration of the Ministry of Tourism of Malaysia, is convening a review and preparation exercise for the region of Asia and the Pacific which is to take place in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia on the 3-4 May of 2010.

Primarily aimed at the region of Asia and the Pacific, the objective of this review and preparation exercise is to address the challenges and opportunities that the ongoing pandemic has brought so far onto the tourism industry, with special emphasis on coordination, market intelligence and communications. The analysis of the unfolding pandemic (H1N1) 2009 situation will be also used to better prepare for other crises situations whether of global or regional importance.

The exercise will address the following:

• The current situation of the pandemic (H1N1) 2009 and the possible scenarios of future development.
• Key challenges for the travel and tourism sector with a special emphasis on coordination at national and international level.
• Modern Crisis Communications combining the best of both the classical approach and the modern communications/social networks.
• Strategies to help limit the negative impacts, to best adjust the preparations of the travel and tourism sector and lessons learned since the onset of the pandemic.

Further information to be found here>>.

Malaysia: travel agents fight misleading airline advertising

The Malaysian Association of Tour and Travel Agents (MATTA) has scathed "zero fares" offered by the country's two warring carriers as misleading and demand the advertisements should be banned. The "zero fares" offered are not only for limited seats, but do not include airport taxes, fuel surcharges and other "applicable" fees and taxes.
According to industry observers, the offers were a result of a price war between the country's two fiercely competing carriers, upstart AirAsia and national carrier Malaysia Airlines.

Source: eTurboNews; find article here>>.

Guarded gates for Malaysian travelers?

Malaysian travelers may soon face the unpleasant prospects of being barred from entering European countries because of the increase in arrests due to crimes.
The 90-day free visa access in European countries that Malaysians are now entitled under the Schengen Agreement may now be in jeopardy following reports of increasing numbers of Malaysians arrested or are in jail in China, Taiwan, the US and even South America.

Source: eTurboNews; full article available here>>.

Kerala to Welcome Global Experts at International Responsible Tourism Conference

Around 400 delegates and international speakers will get together in Kochi from March 21 to March 24 at the Le Meridien International Convention Centre to learn about the latest developments and practices in Responsible Tourism.
Speakers from over 20 countries including the UK, Germany, Gambia, South Africa, Malaysia, Sri Lanka and Bhutan will discuss wide-ranging topics like local economic development and poverty reduction, taking responsibility for destination sustainability, travel philanthropy and the role of government – national and local.

Source: eTurboNews; find full article here>>.

Islamic countries in Asia Pacific to form travel association

Islamic countries from the Asia Pacific region have agreed to form an Asia Pacific Islamic Travel and Tours Federation to “safeguard" the interests of Muslim tourists and travel agents.
Representatives from the four founding member countries - Malaysia, Indonesia, Brunei together with ASEAN neighbor Singapore - have agreed to its formation at the recent Bumitra Islamic Tourism Forum 2008 in Kuala Lumpur.

Source: eTurboNews; find full article here.

"Tightening tourism law" in Malaysia

According to The Star Online, "Travellers affected by companies that go bust – such as in a recent case – will be protected under a proposal to amend the Tourism Industry Act.
The Tourism Ministry, however, first wants the Malaysian Association of Tour and Travel Agents (Matta) to submit to it a report of how the issue is dealt with in other countries.
Deputy Minister Datuk Donald Lim said Matta has been given a month to compile the data. 'The data will help us plan the amendments to the Act to protect consumers against fraud,' he told Matta officials at a meeting at the Putra World Trade Centre here on Friday.
Earlier this month, tour company Excellence Holiday Sdn Bhd went bust after two directors allegedly deserted it and caused scores of travellers to lose the money they had paid in advance for several tour packages. Lim said 336 people had complained to Matta regarding the failed agency. The losses suffered by the travellers totalled about RM2.4mil.
Matta president Ngiam Foon said the association has made comparative research overseas to find out how the regulations protect consumers. 'We’ve found that Australia, Britain and Hong Kong have provisions to protect consumers while Singapore does not have such regulations,' he said.
Asked how Matta would help the customers affected by the Excellence Holiday debacle, Ngiam said: 'We are talking to suppliers, hoteliers and airlines to come with a plan to help those who had been cheated. This is not a promise but we will do our best.' He added that Matta would propose a fund to help the consumers.
Elaborating on the matter, he said: 'Whenever consumers buy a travel package, it would include an extra cost that would go towards the fund.' 'The fund will be used to compensate consumers if any incident, such as the one that happened three weeks ago, were to occur,' added Ngiam."