On the 20th Aniversary of the Package Tours Directive

Possibly, the Academic Event of the Year in the field of Travel and Tourism Law!

Registration here:
http://www.fe.ualg.pt/cidta/index.php

Travel Law Conference in Portugal

Next 7 May, the University of the Algarve at Faro will held an International Travel Law Conference focused on The 20 Years of the European Package Travel Directive.

With some of the most renown Experts from Portugal, Spain, Austria, Germany and Ireland, but also from the USA and Brazil, as invited Speakers, this intends to be the most relevant Academic event on the current Anniversary of the Directive.

UNWTO: Statement on Madeira

UNWTO Secretary-General Taleb Rifai today issued the following statement on the events of Autonomous Region of Madeira:

“We are deeply saddened by the tragic events that struck Madeira Island last Saturday 20^th February and have already expressed our full support ,as well as our commitment to help in any way considered, to the government of Portugal and to the regional government of Madeira.

The quick response action undertaken by the competent authorities at local and national levels, together with the support of the EU, have been instrumental in this catastrophe.

As for the tourism sector, according to the information provided by the regional government, the hotel industry of Madeira was not affected and maintains all operating conditions safely. Hotel establishments, in general, are operational and there were not reported any difficulties or problems. The Madeira International Airport is also operational.

I am confident that Madeira will continue to count on its solid tourism infrastructure and services which have made it the destination of excellence it is today.”

Source: UNWTO press release

International Tourism Law Seminar @ Beja (Portugal)

Next Friday, November 6th, the Polytechnic of Beja, in Portugal, will hold an International Seminar on Tourism Law.

Organized with the support of the University of the Balearic Island, in Spain, the event will be focused on the regulation of hospitality, in Portugal and Spain.

The event counts with presentations by some of the most known lecturers of Portugal and Spain, namely Professors:
José Ángel Torres Lana, María Nélida Tur Faúndez, Antonia Paniza Fullana and María Belén Ferrer Tapia, from the University of the Balearic Islands, Spain;
Verónica San Julián, from the University of Navarre, Spain;
Virgílio Machado, João Almeida Vidal and Afonso Ribeiro Café, from the University of the Algarve, Spain;
Manuel David Masseno, from the Polytechnic of Beja.

SIDETUR - the IberoAmerican Society for Tourism Law is supporting this Seminar.

"VAT: Commission takes steps against 8 Member States as regards the application of the travel agents' scheme"

As just stated by the EU Press Room, "The European Commission has formally requested Poland, the Netherlands, Portugal, France, Italy, Finland, Greece and the Czech Republic to amend their legislation with regard to the application of the special VAT 'margin' scheme for travel agents. The request is in the form of a reasoned opinion which is the second stage of the infringement proceedings provided for in Article 226 of the Treaty. If these Member States fail to comply with the reasoned opinion within two months, the Commission may refer the matter to the Court of Justice of the European Communities."

This Press Release is available in full text.

"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.

"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.

19th IFTTA Conference (PAPERS)

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

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).

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.

19th Conference of IFTTA: Portugal (11-14 October)

The organizational framework and the Program of the 19th Conference of IFTTA - the International Forum of Travel and Tourism Advocates are now fully implemented.

This event will take place in Southern Portugal from the 11th to the 14th October and there will be presented papers by Participants coming from Europe, North and South America, Asia and Africa, that will deal with the Developments in Travel Law, Moral Damages for Ruined Holidays and Land Planning and Tourism Development, besides the National Reports and Other Subjects.

It should be underlined that the Conference is one of the references of the Calendar of International Tourism Events of UNWTO - the World Tourism Organization.

All those that intend to participate should, as soon as possible, Register and arrange, directly, their Hotel Reservations, taking advantage of the huge discounts negotiated by the Organization.

19th Conference of IFTTA: Portugal (11-14 October)

The 19th Conference of IFTTA - International Forum os Travel and Tourism Advocates will take place in Southern Portugal, from the 11th to the 14th of October.

At this event, the main subjects of discussion will be: Moral Damages for Ruined Holidays, Airline Passenger Rights & Land Planning and Tourism Development.

The Organization put up a very inclusive and affordable Program and got huge discounts for the Participants and the Accompanying Persons at high level hotels.

At the Conference's Webpage you'll find full information concerning the logistics of this event.

New Travel and Tourism Law Blog

Since last week, is On-line "Lex Turistica" http://lexturistica.blogspot.com/ a Travel and Tourism Law Blog built by Portuguese Speaking Professors, from both Portugal and Brazil As far as we know it's the first Travel and Tourism Law Blog ever. All contributions are welcome!