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.

"Taipei PR officer in Beijing to promote tourism"

As reported by the China Post, "Taipei city government's top publicity official, Yang Hsiao-tung, left for Beijing yesterday mainly to promote Taiwan tourism at the 2007 Beijing International Tourism Expo slated for June 21-23.
Yang is expected to officiate at the opening of the Taiwan Pavilion at the expo, which will be showcasing tourism attractions in Taiwan.
Yang is the first Taipei city official to visit Beijing since Taipei Mayor Hau Lung-bin assumed office early this year.
In a brief interview with CNA at Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport before his departure, Yang said he will join other private operators to promote Taiwan's tourism attractions, including travel to hotspring resorts, at the expo and will promote 'city exchanges' between Taipei and Beijing, and other Chinese cities and countries from around the world.
Yang, who also serves as a spokesman for Taipei City Hall, said the Taiwan Pavilion will be positioned independently at the expo -- not in the domestic area nor in the international area -- to avoid Taiwan from being 'dwarfed.'." Read more...

EU: Revision of the Timeshare Directive

On 7 June 2007 the Commission adopted a proposal for a new Directive which will enhance consumer protection by extending the scope of the current rules to also include the new products which have emerged in the market, such as holiday clubs. Resale and exchange will also be covered. The new rules should ensure that consumers are equally well protected across the EU and will create a level playing field in the market for timeshare and other holiday-related products.
Recognising the problems that timeshare consumers are facing, the proposal adopted by the Commission aims at closing these regulatory gaps, by replacing the Timeshare Directive with a set of clear, modern and simplified rules.
An updated version of the proposal for a Directive on the protection of consumers in respect of certain aspects of timeshare, long-term holiday products, resale and exchange (last update 20-06-2007) is available here.

Source: European Comission, DG Health and Consumer Affairs.

ASTA's Third Legislative Summit held in Washington, D. C.

On June 12, ASTA held its third Legislative Summit in Washington, D.C., which brought together close to 60 of ASTA's politically minded members and key government officials from such government entities as the Departments of State, Transportation and Homeland Security for the purpose of sharing critical information and opening a dialogue with the travel agent community. Participants had a chance to learn about many up-to-the-moment travel issues, such as the latest passport regulation changes and had the chance to engage in Q-and-A sessions such as the one held with Ann Barrett, deputy assistant secretary of state for passport services with the Department of State. Keynote speaker Andrew Steinberg, assistant secretary for aviation and international affairs, Department of Transportation, spoke on the topics of airline consolidation, customer service and open skies agreements.
The mission of the American Society of Travel Agents (ASTA) is to facilitate the business of selling travel through effective representation, shared knowledge and the enhancement of professionalism. ASTA seeks a retail travel marketplace that is profitable and growing and a rewarding field in which to work, invest and do business.

Source: ForImmediateRelease.Net / Read full article here.

"Commission and FAA launch transatlantic action plan to cut emissions"

As stated by the EU Press Room, "Jacques Barrot, European Commission Vice-President responsible for transport, and Marion Blakey, Administrator of the United States Federal Aviation Administration, today launched - in the presence of aircraft industry representatives - a transatlantic emission-reduction initiative called AIRE."

This Press Release is available in full text.

"Illegal travel operations boom" in Vietnam

As reported by the VietNamNet Bridge, "At a conference seeking measures to attract foreign tourists to Vietnam held by the VNAT in late April 2007, the representative of the Ministry of Public Security’s Immigration Management Agency confirmed that there were more than 100 illegal Korean tour guides operating at Tan Son Nhat Airport.
According to Vietnam’s Tourism Law, foreign tour guides are not allowed to work in Vietnam. VNAT inspectors said that there were three forms of illegal tourism in Vietnam. The first is travel companies that are allowed to offer local tourism services but still sell outbound tours to tourists. The second is tour guides seeking travellers themselves and the third is operating in the name of foreign companies.
The current fine imposed on illegal travel operations is only VND10 million (US$620), which is too modest, according to Pham Huynh Loc, chief tourism inspector." Read more...

$1 flights too much for Hawaii based airline "go!"

In a 12-hour promotion marking its one-year anniversary, go! began offering 1,000 one-way interisland tickets for $1 from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. today that only can be purchased online at www.iflygo.com. An influx of traffic overloaded the Web site and many prospective buyers were met with error messages. The system finally came up shortly after 3 p.m. — eight hours after it shut down. In response to the system crash, go! added 1,000 additional $1 tickets and extended the deadline until midnight.
Go!, which debuted on June 9, 2006, with promotional $19 fares, constantly has lowered the bar in a market that had seen ticket prices close to $100 each way for interisland travel. Hawaiian and Aloha have decried the money-losing low fares because they’ve been forced to match to stay competitive, but have been losing money on those flights in the process.

Source: Honolulu Star Bulletin. Read full article here.

Several EU memeber states late in transposing Directive on Unfair Commercial Practices

The Directive was published in the Official Journal on 11 June 2005 and its provisions must be applicable in the Member States by 12 December 2007. The Commission is working with the Member States and stakeholders to make sure that the Directive is transposed into national law in a timely and accurate manner.
The deadline for transposition is 12 June 2007. Several Member States are late in transposing the Directive into their national laws. The Commission will take all necessary steps to address late or inadequate transposition.

Source: European Comission, DG Health and Consumer Protection. More inforamtion here.

"Sri Lanka: Tourism Police Division"

As reported today by Quintus Perera at the Asian Tribune, the "Ministry of Tourism, Sri Lanka Tourist Board and the Police Department working together established a Tourist Police Division and its head office would be located at the Sri Lanka Tourist Board Premises, to coordinate, facilitate and service the needs of the in-bound and out-bound tourists.
Milinda Moragoda Minister of Tourism declared open the Tourist Police Division and Victor Perera, Inspector General of Police and Renton De Alwis, Chairman, Sri Lanka Tourist Board associated the Minister.
Moragoda speaking at the occasion said that the establishment of this Tourist Police Division would ensure the eradication of harassing the tourists and to provide a conducive environment for them to enjoy the hospitality and the nature, culture, adventure of Sri Lanka.
He said that they are hard at work to build confidence of the tourists under the present situation and they are constantly discussing all the intricate matters with the stakeholders. He said that one of such confidence building activity is the setting up of this police division which would exclusively serve the travel industry." Read more...

"Agriculture Council: Agreement on clearer use of the sales description 'veal'"

According to the EU Press Room, the "European Union agriculture ministers today agreed to clarify the marketing conditions for meat from bovine animals aged twelve months or less. The new rules will require the use of fixed sales descriptions for these meats in the various Member States coupled with an indication of the age category of the animals at slaughter. The aim is to improve the transparency on the market and to help consumers to recognise precisely what they are buying. The change follows lengthy discussions with all interested parties, including an internet consultation on consumers' understanding of the term 'veal'. It comes in the wake of requests from the trade and from Member States for clearer rules to reflect the different production systems in different Member States. This regulation will enhance the functioning of the Single Market and provide better information for consumers."

This Press Release is available in full text.

Czech airline takes legal action against U.S. tuberculosis patient

The Czech state run airline CSA said Thursday it was taking legal action against an American tuberculosis patient who set off an international health scare. CSA spokeswoman Daniela Hupakova said the airline filed a criminal complaint on May 31 on suspicion of spreading an infectious disease. In the Czech Republic, the charges carry a maximum three-year prison term.

Source: www.pr-inside.com. Read full article here.

EU "Member States agree on including aviation in emissions trading"

The German Presidency of the EU has just announced that "In Luxembourg today, the EU Transport Council, chaired by the German Council President, Wolfgang Tiefensee, adopted conclusions on the inclusion of aviation in emissions trading. This means that Europe will have a common position at the Assembly of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), which will be held in Montreal in September. Speaking in Luxembourg, the Federal Minister of Transport, Building and Urban Affairs, Wolfgang Tiefensee, said: 'Every mode of transport, including the air mode, has to make its contribution to tackling climate change.' more |||>"

Note: Further developments are available at the Page built built by the Environment DG of the European Commission.

Traditional tour operators fight back against online travel companies

Major travel groups are responding to fierce competition from online travel agents, such as Expedia and Travelocity, in the fight for the lucrative online travel retail industry. The global e-travel market has developed significantly over the last 10 years, causing severe problems for traditional high-street travel agents. Online sales accounted for a 19.5% share of the global retail travel sector in 2006, the majority of which were made via online travel agents. In the UK, online bookings increased from 7% in 2002, to 35% of all bookings in 2006, according to Euromonitor International. Traditional tour operators are realising the potential in this channel and now view the Internet as the only way forward. Traditional tour operators are improving their online facilities and investing in their websites in order to compete with online travel agents. Thomson, for example, recently enhanced its main website with a raft of new features and content, in an attempt to retain customers and encourage them to book through the site. It also introduced additional editorial content to help consumers, as well as to enable the site to be picked up by Google in natural searches.

Source: traveldailynews.com. Read full article here.

"EU steps up protection for holiday makers for Timeshare holidays and holiday discount club"

As stated by the EU Press Room, "Consumers across the EU will benefit from tougher holiday protection - when they buy and resell timeshare holidays, timeshare-like holidays on cruise boats, canal boats or caravans and popular 'discount holiday clubs' - under new rules proposed by the European Commission today. The aim is to further boost consumer confidence in the Timeshare industry (worth over €10.5 billion and responsible for more than 40,000 jobs across the EU) and to eliminate the rogue traders which can bring legitimate operators into disrepute and cause consumers problems. The 1994 EU Timeshare Directive gives consumers basic rights to clear information, a ban on deposits and right to withdraw and change their mind. The new proposals published today aim to tackle loopholes in the current rules. Most importantly they will extend the scope of the 1994 EU Timeshare Directive to cover new products which have emerged on the market – like discount holiday clubs, and 'timeshare-like' holidays on cruise boats, canal boats and caravans - and extend protection to important areas like timeshare resale and exchange clubs. The new rules should ensure that consumers are equally well protected across the EU and will create a level playing field in the market for timeshare and certain other holiday-related products."

This Press Release is available in full text as well as Questions and Answers page on this issue.

"Mergers: Commission approves proposed acquisition of First Choice by TUI, subject to conditions"

According to the EU Press Room, "The European Commission has approved under the EU Merger Regulation the proposed acquisition of First Choice, a UK travel services company, by TUI, parent of the German TUI group, active in tourism and shipping services. The Commission's decision is conditional upon the divestiture by TUI of its Irish business operating under the 'Budget Travel' brand. In light of this commitment, the Commission has concluded that the proposed 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.

"Air hostesses told to shed weight"

"An Indian court has ruled against a group of female flight attendants who were grounded from the national airline for being overweight. The court said that state-owned Indian Airlines had the right to take the step in the interest of flight safety and in the face of growing competition.
The flight attendants had argued that the move was demeaning. The airline began a system of measuring air hostesses based on their height and weight last year.
The Delhi High Court has ruled in favour of the airline, saying that with aircraft flying at higher altitudes, the safety of the passengers depended on the crew's ability to perform.
'No airline can afford to remain lax in any department whatsoever, be it the personality of the crew members of their physical fitness,' Justice Rekha Sharma said. 'If by perseverance, the snail could reach the Ark, why can't these worthy ladies stand on and turn the scale.'"

Read more at the BBC News.

UK: Tourists unwilling to change holiday plans for environment

A new study indicates that majority of U.K. holidaymakers would be unwilling to change their travel plans to a more environmentally-friendly alternative. According to findings by Taylor Nelson Sofres (TNS), seven per cent of tourists claimed they would be "quite likely" to choose a green destination, with only two per cent reported to be "very likely" to do so.

Source: TravelWireNews, full article here.

Preliminary Ruling Procedure instituted on EU Regulation 261/2004

By decision of 7th March 2007 Court of Appeal in Frankfurt (Oberlandesgericht Frankfurt) has moved for Preliminary Ruling of the European Court of Justice in regard to Regulation (EC) 261/2004 (often but not quite correctly referred to as "Denied Boarding Regulation").
The request for Preliminary Ruling is amiming for clarification in regard to the scope of application of the Regulation as provided in Art. 3 Par. 1 lit. a, whereas the regulation shall apply "to passengers departing from an airport located in the territory of a Member State to which the Treaty applies ". There was doubt (and various decisions by different German courts) whether the regulation also applies to the return flight from a non EU airport if passenger booked a round-trip ticket with the first segment starting from the EU.
The majority of German travel lawyers are sharing the view that the return flight is coverd by the regulation as a round trip has to be seen as a unitary contract for carriage.

Source: Newsletter of the German Travel Laywers' Association (Deutsche Gesellschaft für Reiserecht). German Text of the request for Preliminary Ruling can be read here.

"Overwhelming majority of bathing areas in 25 Member States meet EU standards"

As stated by the EU Press Room, "The annual bathing water report presented today by the European Commission reveals that the large majority of bathing sites across the European Union met EU hygiene standards in 2006. 96% of coastal bathing areas and 89% of bathing sites in rivers and lakes are in compliance with the mandatory values.. The removal of bathing sites from the official list has decreased but the Commission remains concerned about the delistings. The report provides useful water quality information for the millions of people who visit Europe's beaches every summer.
Commissioner for the Environment Stavros Dimas said: 'It is encouraging to see that the rate of compliance of freshwater bathing areas in 2006 has recovered from the disappointing decrease in 2005. I hope that this upward trend will continue and that freshwater bathing areas reach levels achieved by those in coastal areas. Despite these encouraging results I am very concerned by the number of bathing sites withdrawn from the list. Removing sites from the list because they are polluted is not a solution. Member States must instead draw up plans for cleaning up these polluted sites.'."

This Press Release is available in full text as well as the Overview of the situation in Member States.

Improvements to US travel rule sought

The National Tour Association (NTA) is urging its U.S. members and travel industry professionals to contact their U.S. senators about co-sponsoring the Western Hemisphere Traveler Improvement Act. Introduced by Sen. Norm Coleman, R-Minnesota, and Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, the legislation aims to lessen the burden of the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative, which could take effect for land and sea as early as January 2008.
The legislation requires that low-cost passport alternatives are available when WHTI takes effect and would allow children under the age of 16 traveling with parents, and children under 18 traveling in a school or other group, to cross the border with a birth certificate rather than a passport. It also requires sufficient staffing to meet increasing passport demand, an analysis of a pilot program that explores enhanced driver's licenses as documentation for cross-border travel and a full cost-benefit analysis of WHTI.

Read the full article here.

Virgin Blue accused of discriminating against disabled passengers

Australian airline Virgin Blue faced action in the Federal Court in Sydney over its policy on disabled passengers.
Two wheelchair users were told they would have to pay for carers to travel with them, even though both live independently. The Public Interest Advocacy Centre says it has been contacted by at least 100 other people across the country with similar concerns. The centre's CEO Robin Banks says Virgin Blue is creating unlawful, discriminatory hurdles for people with disabilities.

The case is due to resume in September.

Source: abc.net.au. Read the 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."

World Tourism Forum presents solutions for peace and sustainable development in Oslo and Prague

The results of the first three years of the World Tourism Forum for Peace and Sustainable Development’s existence were presented at the General Meeting of the International Academy for Quality (IAQ), held during the 51st European Organisation for Quality Congress in Prague (Czech Republic) on May 22 and 23. The conference was organized by the European Organisation for Quality (EOQ) and its key theme was “Competitiveness through Excellence – Challenge for Europe.”

More information at www.desti-nations.net.

Iberia cuts Cuba ad after sexism complaint

Spanish airline Iberia has cut an advertisement showing black Cuban women in bikinis bottle feeding a baby tourist as he sings "feed me mulattas ... come on little mamas, take me to my cot" after complaints it was sexist. A consumer rights group demanded Iberia, Spain's national flag carrier, pull the ad for online sales as it was offensive to Cuban women and could encourage sex tourism.

Source: scotsman.com, read whole article here.

"Uganda to adopt tourism legislation in line with UN"

As reported by Michael Verikios at the International Travel Daily News, the "Uganda's government is to introduce tourism legislation in support of the UN Millennium Development Goals as Uganda President, his excellency Yoweri Kaguta Museveni revealed in his keynote address to the 4th IIPT African Conference on Peace through Tourism.
'One of the key constraints to tourism development has been the weak law and regulations to guide and enforce proper development in the industry. The role of the law in the sustainable development of tourism and poverty alleviation is critical. The legislation should enshrine policies that are pro poor and underpin a coherent institutional framework and supportive infrastructure for the private sector,' the President said."

The full text of this article is available, here.

Egypt demands artifacts returned by world powers

Last week, the Egyptian Foreign Minister’s office sent an official letter to four countries - France, Germany, Great Britain and the United States - demanding the return of famous artifacts for showcase at a temporary exhibition of ancient Egyptian artifacts. The objects, in question, are currently on display in separate museums while in the hands of the said countries.
The antiquities demanded, all well-known, include the Zodiac at the Louvre, Nefertiti’s bust at the Berlin Museum, the statue of the engineer Hem Iunu who built Khufu’s pyramid now in the Roemer & Pelizea Museum in Hildesheim, the Rosetta Stone in the British Museum and the statue of the engineer Ankh Ha If who built the second pyramid on display at the Boston Museum.

Read more here.

"Air policy and Air Jamaica"

At the Jamaica Gleaner, Stephen Vascianne states that "Earlier this month, the Government of Jamaica participated in negotiations with the British Government on matters pertaining to the conclusion of a new Air Services Agreement between both countries.
This round of negotiations was the latest in a series undertaken by representatives of the Jamaican Air Policy Committee with other countries. The series included negotiations with Germany, Chile and Brazil, and the United Kingdom.
The negotiations with individual countries raise a number of technical questions concerning air law and the economics of air transportation; but they also prompt issues that may be of direct importance to Jamaicans at home and abroad, tourism interests and the trade sector."

Read more.

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 classification system on anvil for hotels in Qatar"

The Gulf Times reveals that "QATAR Tourism Authority (QTA), together with GATO, an international tourism organisation, is formulating a new hotel classification system with a view to improving the overall quality of the Qatari hospitality industry.
[...]
International benchmarks and guest surveys have clearly indicated that an ever increasing emphasis is placed on service quality. To cater to the shifting consumer demand and achieve a sustainable development, a two-tiered hotel classification system has been selected for the roll out of the new hotel classification system."

Read this in full text!

New Zealand: Tourist Attackers Sent To High Court For Sentence

Two men who admitted a brutal attack on a Dutch honeymoon couple in the Bay of Islands will be sentenced in the High Court. They pleaded guilty in the Kaikohe District Court in March to a raft of serious offences against the young tourists, who were held at gunpoint in their campervan last November. But the Crown asked for the case to be referred to the High Court, which can order preventive detention.

Source: www.newswire.co.nz, read full story here.

Supreme Court (OGH) decision on Art. 3 of the Package Tours Directive

In a recent decison Austria's Supreme Court (OGH) held that Art 3 of of the Package Tours Directive, providing that any descriptive matter concerning a package and supplied by the organizer or the retailer to the consumer must not contain any misleading information doesn't apply if the retailer in presence of the consumer looked up the hotel's website and handed over to him a printaout of the desciption given there: from the recitals to the directive whereas the organizer of the package and/or the retailer of it should be under obligation to ensure that in descriptive matter relating to packages which they respectively organize and sell, the information which is given is not misleading, OGH concluded that the obligation was limted to such descriptive matter the content of which the organizer or retailer could shape or influence.

Full text of the decision (2 Ob 247/05w of 08. March 2007) available in German at http://www.ris.bka.gv.at/jus/

New EASA responsibility

Since 29 March 2007, EASA is responsible for the approval of the flight conditions on the basis of which a permit to fly can be issued by the Competent Authority of the Member State of Registry, or of the Member State prescribing the identification marks.
A Permit to Fly is generally issued when a certificate of airworthiness is temporarily invalid, for example as the result of a damage, or when a certificate of airworthiness cannot be issued for instance when the aircraft does not comply with the essential requirements for airworthiness or when compliance with those requirements has not yet been shown, but the aircraft is nevertheless capable of performing a safe flight.

More information here.

Child Porn Trial in Atlanta: Sex Tourism charges dropped

A Gainesville anesthesiologist who vehemently proclaimed his innocence in jailhouse interviews went on trial this Monday in U.S. District Court in Atlanta on child pornography charges. In April 2004, his arrest at New York's JFK airport was heralded by federal prosecutors as a major case in the battle against so-called "sex tourism." He was indicted under a new law that allowed U.S. citizens to be prosecuted for sex crimes against children committed in other countries. Prosecutors believed the anesthesiologist traveled to St. Petersburg, Russia, and Prague, Czech Republic, to have sex with young boys.
But the government through a series of revised indictments dropped the sex tourism and molestation charges, replacing them with child pornography charges.

Read the full story in Gainesville Times here.

UK Parliament inquiry into air travel branded a waste of time

UK Parliament's Transport Committee has launched a wide-ranging inquiry into passengers’ experience of air travel. It will cover every stage of the journey from buying tickets to travel links to and from airports, arrangements for baggage and the comfort of seating on aircraft.The inquiry is also looking into how easy it is to get compensation from airlines when things go wrong, and whether international conventions about passengers’ entitlements are enforced adequately. The members of Parliament are also asking whether there is any difference in the general experiences of budget airline customers compared with those who use full-service scheduled carriers.
Ryanair is one of the low-cost airlines that have been repeatedly criticized by consumer groups for offering low headline fares then loading the true cost with numerous service charges, including most recently a charge for checking in baggage. In its turn, Ryanair criticizes the UK government for loading air travel costs with taxes. “Ryanair has far better things to do than waste time at a House of Commons Committee which is itself wasting time talking about passengers’ attitudes to air travel at a time when Gordon Brown is busy stealing an additional £1 billion from UK passengers and visitors this year.”

Source: travelindustryreview.com. Read more here.

"Better protection for performing artists working outside their home country"

According to the European Parliament Press Service, "The employment conditions for performing artists who move around Europe as part of their work should be improved, and they should be better informed on how to transfer their social rights. So says the Culture Committee in a report adopted on Monday, calling for better protection for artists and the introduction of a special electronic social security card.
In the own initiative report on the social security status of artists by Claire Gibault (ALDE, FR), adopted unanimously, the committee explains that many artists in Europe, be it singers, musicians or - like the rapporteur herself - conductors, have experienced problems when trying to perform in other countries, or trying to transfer their social rights. International co-productions of live performances, circus or audiovisual productions have been increasing the mobility of many artists, and thus increasing the need for a clearer legal status for the European artists."

This Press Release is available in full text.

"Alcohol banned in all restaurants, mosques, schools and residential areas; Bahrain going dry … only the Fives will see 'stars'"

"Bahrain's tourism industry, which has long thrived on visitors from its 'dry' neighbours in the Gulf, faces a tough challenge with the introduction of curbs on alcohol and nightclubs. For now, the 27-kilometer-long (17-mile) causeway linking the archipelago to eastern Saudi Arabia continues to be crowded every weekend as thousands escape the ultra-conservative Muslim kingdom for a break. But by May 1, alcohol will be restricted to five-star hotels and banned in all restaurants neighbouring mosques, schools or residential areas, under a ministerial decision. About 85 non-five-star hotels have been ordered to close nightclubs hosting foreign bands on their premises and to stop selling alcohol if they are in the designated areas."

See more at ARAB TIMES.

"Mergers: Commission approves proposed acquisition of MyTravel Group by KarstadtQuelle"

As stated by the EU Press Room, "The European Commission has approved under the EU Merger Regulation the proposed acquisition of MyTravel Group PLC, a UK travel group, by KarstadtQuelle AG, a German department store and mail order company, active in tour operating via the Thomas Cook Group. The Commission has concluded that the proposed 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.

"Security measures in civil aviation: who should pay"

According to the European Parliament Press Service, the "Parliament adopted a second-reading report heavily amending the Council's common position on a new regulation laying down common rules on checks, searches, surveillance, prohibited items, security patrols and other aspects of airport and aircraft security. A key difference with the Council is who should pay for any extra security measures not required by the regulation.
In the report, drawn by Paolo COSTA (ALDE, IT), Parliament insists on strict regulation of the use of 'Sky Marshals' and the carriage of weapons on board aircraft.
Regarding implementing measures, such as the decision by the Commission to ban liquids on board, the EP wants those to expire after six months."

This Press Release is available in full text.

United Kingdom: Increased Passenger Tax faces legal challenge

Airlines and travel companies are preparing to launch a legal challenge to the British government’s imposition of air passenger duty, a tax on flight tickets. The tax was doubled by the finance minister, Chancellor Gordon Brown, in a statement in December and the increase came into effect last week. The rise in the tax caused chaos at check-in desks on February 1, as it applied to tickets already bought by passengers before the chancellor’s announcement, and had not been taken into account by the airlines at the time. Some passengers who had already bought long-haul tickets were required to pay an additional £40 (US$80) in extra tax when they arrived at check-in desks last Thursday. Opponents of the air passenger duty say it amounts to retrospective tax and could be ruled illegal in a court. They also argue that as the increase had not been debated and passed by Parliament in a finance bill, it has no legal status anyway and passengers are not obliged to pay it. A third argument is that the air passenger duty is a tax on airlines, not on individual tax payers, and airlines are only passing on the cost to passengers in a fare increase rather than paying it out of company profits.
Source: travelwirenews.com/David Browne. Read the full article here:
http://www.travelwirenews.com/cgi-script/csArticles/articles/000109/010906.htm

(Originally posted by Michael Wukoschitz)

Florida: Airline defends stance on removing 3-year-old and family

A couple and their daughter were removed from an AirTran Airways flight when the girl refused to take her seat before takeoff, airline officials said Tuesday. But the parents said they just needed a little more time to calm her down. She was removed because “she was climbing under the seat and hitting the parents and wouldn’t get in her seat” during boarding, AirTran spokeswoman Judy Graham-Weaver said. AirTran officials say they were only following Federal Aviation Administration rules that children age 2 and above must have their own seat and be wearing a seatbelt upon takeoff. The flight was already delayed 15 minutes and in fairness to the other 112 passengers on the plane, the crew made an operational decision to remove the family.
The mother said she asked the attendants if the girl could sit on her lap, but they said no. The family flew home the next day. The Orlando-based carrier reimbursed the family the cost of the three tickets, and offered them three roundtrip tickets anywhere the airline flies.

Read the full story here.

Tourism for Tomorrow Awards finalists are announced

The World Travel & Tourism Council is honoured to present the finalists of the 2007 Tourism for Tomorrow Awards. 12 candidates have been selected from more than 130 applications from over 40 different countries representing all 7 continents. Their alphabetical order in each of the four categories is:

Destination Award
Great Barrier Reef - Australia
Greenbox Trading - Ireland
http://www.VermontVacation.com - USA

Conservation Award
Aqua-Trek - Fiji islands and USA
Aspen Skiing Company - USA
Caiman Ecological Refuge - Brazil

Investor in People Award
10 Knots Development Corporation - Philippines
Nihiwatu Resort - Indonesia
Sunderbans Jungle Camp - India

Global Tourism Business Award
Lindblad Expeditions - USA and Global
Six Senses Resorts & Spas - Thailand and Global
Wilderness Safaris - South Africa

Winners will be invited to a prestigious awards ceremony at the Global Travel & Tourism Summit in Lisbon, Portugal on 11 May, 2007 and will have the opportunity to present their business or destination to more than 600 tourism industry, government and media leaders.

Source: http://www.tourismfortomorrow.com/prevwinners/2007finalists.htm

"Common safety standards for air travel to be guaranteed by the European Aviation Safety Agency"

As stated by te Press Service of the European Parliament, "MEPs in the Transport Committee voted on Tuesday to give the European Aviation Safety Agency the power to impose fines on airlines or other aviation players if safety standards are not correctly implemented. This came as they gave the go-ahead for an expansion of the Agency's role to help establish common, and properly enforced, safety standards for all airlines flying in Europe, whether EU-based or not.

The Committee adopted its first reading report on proposals to give the European Aviation Safety Agency new roles across the whole field of aviation and airline behaviour - including the conditions for operating aircraft and issuing, maintaining, limiting or suspending an operator's certificate. The EASA will also have competence over pilots' licences, to ensure they meet standards of knowledge, skill and language proficiency.
Jörg Leichtfried (PES, AT), the rapporteur, said, 'Uniform safety standards at the highest possible level are our objective.' He said the EASA therefore needs 'not only the theoretical, but also real, practical powers to carry out the tasks it is entrusted with.'
Following this line, the committee voted to change the Commission proposal and give the EASA the power to impose fines and periodic payment penalties if safety standards are not implemented correctly. Sources of information on abuses or non-compliance, notably including whistleblowers, should be given adequate protection, according to another amendment adopted by MEPs, with the aim of encouraging reporting of such events and reducing the number of accidents.
The EASA was set up in 2002 to help provide a high and uniform level of aviation safety across Europe, by drawing up common standards, overseeing their application in the EU and promoting them at world level. Previously, each Member State had adopted its own national legislation, based on the minimum international standards."

The European "Commission proposes a landmark regulatory package for airports"

According to the EU Press Room, "The European Commission has today adopted an 'airport package' consisting of three key initiatives: a proposal for a directive on airport charges, a communication on airport capacity, efficiency and safety in Europe and a report on the implementation of the groundhandling directive. The package focuses on the role of airports in the further development and competitiveness of the European internal aviation market and will mark the future of airport regulation in Europe by ensuring regulatory convergence between Member States.
Commission Vice-President Jacques Barrot, in charge of transport said: 'In compliance with the Lisbon agenda objectives, Europe's airports have a vital role to play as a key driver for ensuring the economic and social competitiveness of Europe. Until now European airports have been faced with diverse regulatory, commercial and external challenges regarding issues such as capacity, financing and the environment. The aim of these new measures is to offer a common set of rules to be applied and enforced uniformly throughout Europe.' 'Much deliberation, thought and consultation has gone into preparing this package and I truly believe that it represents a milestone in the formation of a pan-European regulatory framework for European airports', he added."

This Press Release is available in full text.

4th IIPT African Conference on Peace through Tourism

4th IIPT African Conference on Peace through Tourism
20-25 May 2007, Kampala, Uganda

Conference Goals:
Develop public and government appreciation of the central role of tourism in sustainable wealth creation, cultural enrichment, and preservation of biodiversity on the African Continent;
Enhance international public appreciation of Africa’s positive attributes including its rich mosaic of peoples, cultures, and biodiversity;
Identify and develop strategies for expanding market opportunities in Asia, Europe, North America, and domestic markets, and continue building the ‘Asia – Africa Bridge of Tourism, Friendship and Collaboration';
Encourage and facilitate collaborative public – private sector – donor – NGO and civil society strategies for new product development; and
Foster initiatives that contribute to reconciliation, peace and sustainable wealth creation in regions that have experienced conflict.

Find more information here.

UK MetOffice: 2007 forecast to be the warmest year yet

2007 is likely to be the warmest year on record globally, beating the current record set in 1998, say climate-change experts at the Met Office.
Each January the Met Office, in conjunction with the University of East Anglia, issues a forecast of the global surface temperature for the coming year. The forecast takes into account known contributing factors, such as solar effects, El Niño, greenhouse gases concentrations and other multi-decadal influences. Over the previous seven years, the Met Office forecast of annual global temperature has proved remarkably accurate, with a mean forecast error size of just 0.06 °C.
The potential for a record 2007 arises partly from a moderate-strength El Niño already established in the Pacific, which is expected to persist through the first few months of 2007. The lag between El Niño and the full global surface temperature response means that the warming effect of El Niño is extended and therefore has a greater influence the global temperatures during the year.

Source: http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/index.html
More informattion here.

Russian Duma adopts law for financial protection of tourists

The State Duma lower house of the Russian parliament on Wednesday adopted a government-proposed law ensuring financial protection of Russian tourists from unscrupulous tourist firms. The document provides for bank guarantees to redeem losses or insurance of civil responsibilities. Dishonest firms that fail to meet their commitments regarding the level and quality of services offered, will be fined. A novelty in the law is the size of the liability sum fixed in the contract of insurance of tourist operator’s responsibility, or in a bank guarantee. It cannot be less than five million roubles for international tourist operators, 500,000 roubles for domestic tourist operators, and five million roubles for operators carrying out activities in the domestic and international markets.

Read more here.

Commisson's information on air passenger rights incorrect

The European Ombudsman, P. Nikiforos Diamandouros, has called on the European Commission to correct inaccurate and misleading information contained in leaflets, posters and a video presentation on air passenger rights. This follows a complaint to the Ombudsman from two airline associations. They criticised the information provided by the Commission on the rights of travellers to compensation and assistance in the event of denied boarding, cancellation of flights or long delays. Although the Ombudsman did not find all the complainants’ allegations to be justified, he identified certain inaccurate and misleading statements in the information material and asked the Commission to correct them. One of the statements in the leaflets and posters reads: "If you are denied boarding or your flight is cancelled, the airline operating your flight must offer you financial compensation and assistance". The Ombudsman considers that this sentence wrongly suggests that compensation has to be paid in every case where a flight is cancelled. The Ombudsman also agrees with the complainants that a statement in the video that "Immediate and automatic compensation will be paid for delays, cancellations and overbooking" is inaccurate as compensation never has to be paid in respect of delay, and where compensation is payable for cancellation and overbooking, it does not have to be paid immediately. The Ombudsman accepts that the information material provided by the Commission could not be expected to be complete, but considers that the information given must be accurate. The Ombudsman therefore asks the Commission to correct as soon as possible the inaccurate and misleading statements identified in his inquiry.
Source: http://www.ombudsman.europa.eu/release/en/2007-01-10.htm

(Originally posted by Michael Wukoschitz)

The European "Commission proposes to open aviation negotiations with Canada"

As stated by the EU Press Room, "The European Commission has proposed today to open negotiations with Canada on a comprehensive aviation agreement. The aim is to establish an open aviation area between the EU and Canada, to open market restrictions and to achieve a high level of regulatory convergence.
Commission Vice-President Jacques Barrot, in charge of transport said: 'Canada is a key partner of the European Union. This agreement will facilitate the travel of people and goods between the EU and Canada and will establish a high level of regulatory standards, in particular in the fields of safety and security.'"

This Press Release is available in full text.

India: Airline sues man for opening door

Low-cost airline Air Deccan filed a case against a passenger who opened the emergency-exit door of the aircraft, reacting to the diversion of the Delhi-bound plane after over a day's delay due to fog. The aircraft had to be brought back to Mumbai as it could not land at Delhi due to poor weather conditions. When passengers were not allowed to deplane, a young passenger was noticed trying to open the emergency door, an airline spokesperson said. The airlines has registered a case against the passenger with the airport police station for damaging its property.

Read more here.

New Year message from UNTWO: "Increase tourism to fight poverty"

According to UNTWO, 2007 should be a critical year to consolidate tourism as a key agent in the fight against poverty and a primary tool for sustainable development. Against a projection of continuing worldwide growth in international tourism of more than 4% for international arrivals and revenues, Secretary-General Francesco Frangialli called for renewed effort to include sustainable tourism in the international development agenda, as a key tool to advance the Millennium Development Goals.
The Secretary-General said that the organization would intensify its actions to support the sector, advance the MDGs and promote the Global Code of Ethics in the years ahead. In this context and in order to help respond to the immediate challenges and opportunities he announced that in 2007, UNWTO as the UN Agency for Tourism would :

• Convene a World Summit on “Tourism and Religion”, hosted by the Government of Spain, which will explore ways to strengthen the interrelationship between tourism and the world's great religions so as to further encourage peaceful development and intercultural dialogue.
• Organize a second Summit on “Tourism and Climate Change” hosted by the Government of the United Kingdom and in collaboration with World Travel Market. The Summit, which will consider new international developments like the UK Stern Report and President Chirac's call for a post-2012 international climate change policy, would be preceded by a technical conference and would build on the foundation of the 2003 UNWTO Djerba Declaration.
• Hold a Global Conference for Parliamentarians and Local Authorities , hosted by the Government of Tunisia, to explore how tourism can more effectively encourage understanding between nations and how its benefits can be more readily spread to the community level. It will also explore how to enhance decision making between different levels of government.
• Celebrate the role of women in tourism , linking its UN World Tourism Day theme of “Tourism opening doors to Women” with MDG 3 promoting gender equality. Host of the 2007 World Tourism Day on September 27 th will be the Government of Sri Lanka.
• Strengthen its ST-EP Program (Sustainable Tourism - Eliminating Poverty) by consolidating funding partnerships with government / private sector sources, by boosting the activity of the Foundation established in Seoul, Korea and by launching new projects – particularly in Africa.
• Intensify its eTourism initiatives, together with Microsoft, to introduce an Emergency Response System; operationalize the Windows on Africa Portal for Distribution and Destination Management; explore ways and means to use technology to increase Security and simultaneously reduce hassle for travellers: coordinate action on tourism across the UN system.
• Launch its Centre of Excellence for Destinations in Montreal , supported by the Federal Government of Canada and the Provincial Government of Quebec to promote and support sustainable quality tourism at the community level.
• Consolidate its organization to respond to changing times, through its new management leadership: restructured secretariat and by more active private sector involvement, with a strengthened Affiliate program and expanded PPP network.
  

Read the full message here.

Hawaii: no-smoking law to affect tourism?

Hawaii's no-smoking law, which went into effect on November 16, has raised fears Japanese tourists, one of the state s biggest markets, will give the island a miss. The law prohibits smoking in all public areas including airports, restaurants, bowling alleys and malls. It is also now illegal to light up in partially enclosed areas, bars and less than 20 feet from doorways and windows. Thirteen other US states and hundreds of cities are now complying with the comprehensive no-smoking laws.

Yujiro Kuwabara from the Japan Travel Bureau predicts the toughest challenge will be explaining the new rules, especially the small percentage of hotel rooms where smoking is allowed.

Read more here.

Ryanair loses battle with online critic

Discount airline Ryanair Holdings PLC has lost its battle to win control of an Internet domain name from a disgruntled former customer, according to a ruling issued by a United Nations panel Wednesday. Michael Coulston of London set up a website critical of Ryanair's business practices in July under the domain name www.ryanaircampaign.org. The Irish carrier complained to the World Intellectual Property Organization that the domain name infringed on its trademarks and should therefore be transferred into Ryanair's possession. But a WIPO panel said there was no evidence that Coulston, who runs a private online campaign aimed at informing Ryanair customers of ways in which they can complain to the company about its service, was using the domain name in bad faith. Ryanair had previously succeeded in forcing Coulston to hand over another domain name, www.ryanair.org.uk, by lodging a complaint with Nominet UK, an organization responsible for web domains ending in the .UK suffix.

Source: http://www.travelindustryreview.com/news/4140

US low-cost carrier accused of letting passenger die

A widow has filed a wrongful death suit against JetBlue Airways, charging the popular low-cost carrier ignored her husband as he was suffering a fatal heart attack during a flight. In her suit filed in U.S. District Court on behalf of her late husband, she claims “After the plane landed, JetBlue’s employees or agents determined that he was unresponsive, but nonetheless fully deplaned the aircraft before providing any assistance, calling for aid or attempting to resuscitate him". Jenny Dervin, spokeswoman for New York-based JetBlue, said the airline’s legal department has not seen the complaint.

Source: bostonherald.com

"European Commission invokes safeguard clause against Bulgaria on aviation safety"

As stated by the EU Press Room, "The European Commission decided today to partially exclude Bulgaria from the benefit of the internal aviation market. Following an inspection performed by the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) earlier this month, the Commission considers that there is a considerable risk that Bulgaria will not be able to ensure full compliance with the Community rules on aviation safety and on the internal aviation market. Therefore a safeguard clause based on the Act of Accession is invoked, in order to ensure the proper functioning of the EU air transport market and to guarantee the highest level of safety to EU citizens."

This Press Release is available in full text.

UK: hostess sues airline for religious discrimination

An hostess of British Midland was prevented to take the bible on board of flights to Saudi Arabia. She is reported to have now sued the airline because she considers having been victim of an "unacceptable religious discrimination". The airline stated it has only followed indications given by the British Foreign Office not to take to Saudi Arabia "drugs, alcohol, pork products and religious books except the Koran".

Source: http://www.travelindustryreview.com/news/4061.

USA: airport workers facing daily screening?

Some lawmakers want all of the nearly 1 million workers to be screened when they arrive on the job each day. The federal government has stepped up scrutiny amid worries that the workers could use their insider jobs to help terrorists plan attacks. Lawmakers say their concern doesn't stem from a specific plot but rather recent arrests that point to potential holes in security. The plan could create massive lines at airports without improving security, some airport officials say.

Source: usatoday.com. Full stories here and here.

Spain: airline in crisis

Air Madrid has suspended all of its flights leaving thousands of passengers stranded over Christmas.It is reported between 200,000 and 300,000 passengers could be abandoned as a result of the airline's action. Its main destinations are Buenos Aires, Sao Paolo and Mexico. The independent carrier is blaming its actions on a development ministry threat to suspend its licence. The budget airline said ticket sales had fallen dramatically since the announcement from the development ministry and suppliers had refused it credit. The ministry said that Air Madrid had not fully carried out an action plan to cut delays, saying it would have to present new information to support its case to keep flying.

Read more here.

Brithish passengers want to travel and protect the environment

According to UK government sponsored research, British passengers want to be able to travel the world but are acutely aware of the environmental effects of commercial flying. Increasingly aware that air travel causes environmental damage, they still want to fly without too many restrictions and are willing to pay for mitigating the climate change effects.

Source: http://www.travelwirenews.com/eTN/15DEC2006.htm

Restrictive clauses on conveyance of certain goods in checked air baggage invalid

German Supreme Court (BGH) found two clauses invalid whereby an airline tried to interdict conveyance of breakable or perishable goods, computers and other electronic devices, jewellery, valuables, cash money, business papers and commercial samples in checked baggage and to restrict its liabilty to intent or gross negligence, even if goods were carried in knowledge of the airline. BGH found these clauses inconsistent with the mandatory rules of Art. 17 of the Montreal Convention and therefore invalid (BGH 05.12.2006, X ZR 165/03)

(Originally posted by Michael Wukoschitz)

UNTWO - Sixty years serving world tourism

UNWTO celebrates the 60th anniversary of the existence of an organization at the service of world tourism, and 30 years of its presence in Madrid. Thanks to the conversion, in October 2003, into an agency of the first rank within the United Nations system, the UNWTO now enjoys recognition at the highest level as well as increased visibility.

Read more here.

ATA alerts passengers to new US passport requirements

The Air Transport Association (ATA), the industry trade organization representing leading U.S. airlines, today reminded passengers of new and more restrictive travel document policies set to take effect in early 2007 for all travelers entering or re-entering the United States by air from any part of the Western Hemisphere.
Beginning Jan. 23, 2007, all travelers will be required to present a passport to enter or re-enter the United States, including U.S. citizens returning to the U.S. by air from Canada, Mexico, Central and South America, the Caribbean and Bermuda.

Find the details here.

Combat global warming by "Carbon Offsetting"

A personal carbon offset facility has been devised by Climate Care. Air passengers can use an online calculator on their web site, www.climatecare.org , to determine their share of the amount of carbon dioxide emitted during their flight, and convert that to a cash amount that they can pay towards schemes that combat global warming, such as planting trees or providing low-energy means of heating and lighting.

"Single European sky: Commission takes Greece to the Court of Justice"

As stated by the EU Press Room, "The European Commission decided today to refer Greece to the European Court of Justice for failure to respect EU legislation on the establishment of a national supervisory authority in the context of the single European sky.
The single European sky framework regulation ^[1] entered into force in April 2004. It separates the provision of air navigation services on the one hand and the supervision and regulation of these services on the other hand. Member States are required to create or establish an independent national supervisory authority to assume the different tasks identified in EU-legislation including the certification of air navigation service providers and the on-going compliance oversight. Up to now, Greece has failed to fully establish an independent authority.
The Commission sent two reasoned opinions to Greece in December 2005 (IP/05/1609) and in June 2006 without receiving satisfactory replies.
Further Information on the single European sky, and in particular on national supervisory authorities is available on:
http://ec.europa.eu/transport/air_portal/traffic_management/nsa/index_en.htm.

[1] Regulation (EC) No 549/2004 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 10 March 2004 laying down the framework for the creation of the single European sky (OJ L 96, 31.03.2004, p. 1)"

Court of Justice Finds Distribution of a Signal by Means of TV Sets by a Hotel to its Customers Protected by Copyright

The SGAE (the body responsible for the management of intellectual property rights in Spain) took the view that the use of television sets and the playing of ambient music within the hotel owned by Rafael Hotels SA involved communication to the public of works belonging to the repertoire which it manages. Considering that those acts gave rise to breach of copyright, SGAE brought an action before the Spanish courts. The Audiencia Provincial (Provincial Court) of Barcelona referred the matter to the Court of Justice. In the decision of 7th Dec. 2006 (Case C-306/05), the Court pointed out, that the concept of ‘communication to the public’ had to be interpreted broadly in order to achieve the principal objective of the directive, that is to establish a high level of protection in favour, amongst others, of authors, allowing them to obtain an appropriate reward for the use of their works, in particular when these were communicated to the public. It was necessary to take into account the fact that, usually, hotel customers quickly succeed each other. As a general rule, a fairly large number of persons are involved, so that they may be considered to be a public, having regard to the principal objective of the directive. Therefore, if, by means of television sets thus installed, the hotel distributed the signal to customers staying in its rooms or present in any other area of the hotel, a communication to the public took place, irrespective of the technique used to transmit the signal. The private or public nature of the place where the communication takes place was immaterial.
Source: ECJ Press Release 95/06,
http://curia.europa.eu/en/actu/communiques/cp06/aff/cp060095en.pdf

(Originally posted by Michael Wukoschitz)

UK: Air Passenger Tax Increase

The UK government’s move to double the tax on air passenger tickets has been greeted with almost universal dismay by the industry and environmental campaigners alike. The tax on economy short-haul flights from the UK goes up from £5 to £10, and on long-haul from £20 to £40. The taxes on premium tickets are also doubled. The increases will appear on tickets from February 2007.

Read more here.

"Single European Sky: Commission harmonises air navigation service charges"

As stated by the EU Press Room, "The European Commission has adopted today a Regulation on a common charging scheme for air navigation services. The new charging system regulates which costs are eligible and how users will be charged for air navigation services. The regulation will apply as of 1 January 2007 . Building on the current international system, the harmonised system will contribute to achieving greater transparency and encourage the safe and effective provision of air navigation services.
Vice-President Jacques Barrot, Commissioner in charge of transport said: 'The development of a common charging scheme for air navigation services is another major step in creating the Single European Sky. The new rules provide that charging policy shall be established in consultation with airspace users. This will ensure that the charges levied are fair, transparent and reflect the real cost of services', he added."

This Press Release is available in full text.

EU-Survey: only 23% aware of their protection abroad

Due to a Council Decision of 1995 EU nationals in trouble abroad can get help from the diplomatic offices of any other EU country, if theirs has no local representation - a fact known by less than a third of EU citizens. They can expect to be treated as a national of that country. This is important as only three countries outside the EU host representations from all 25 EU members: Russia, China and the US.
However, a recent survey showed that only very few travellers know about their right to protection.

More information here.

"South Americans need no visas for region"

According to the Associated Press, "Nationals from all 12 South American nations will soon be able to travel freely throughout their region without needing visas, a regional foreign ministers summit in Chile has agreed.
The decision exempts the visa requirement for nationals from Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Guyana, Paraguay, Peru, Suriname, Uruguay and Venezuela.
The decision 'represents a step in our efforts to eliminate our traditional divisions,' said Chilean Foreign Minister Alejandro Foxley who inaugurated the daylong conference. The visa exemption is expected to become effective within 90 days. Regional integration is the main subject in the ministers' agenda."

Switzerland joins European Aviation Safety Agency

Switzerland today officially became a member of the European Aviation Safety Agency. It is the fourth non-EU country to adopt European Union aviation safety legislation after Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein. Patrick Goudou, Executive Director of the Agency, said: “I welcome Switzerland’s membership. It is an important step towards a more integrated safety system in Europe and underlines the key role of the Agency in this system”.

The four non-EU countries are represented in the Agency’s Management Board and nationals of these countries are eligible to work for the Agency.

Source: EASA-Press release 2006-11-30.

UK: Travel industry urged to adress aviation's climate threat

Environment campaigners Friends of the Earth called on the travel industry to wake up to the threat posed by climate change and do more to reduce the environmental impact caused by the growth in aviation. Aviation can continue to be an important part of the travel sector, but the growth expected in the coming years is not compatible with protecting climatic stability.

Friends of the Earth is calling on ABTA members to promote rail over other transport for short-haul journeys, end support for an expansion in UK airports and raise awareness about the environmental benefits of holidays that avoid long distance travel.

Further details here.

Switzerland joins European Aviation Safety Agency

Switzerland today officially became a member of the European Aviation Safety Agency. It is the fourth non-EU country to adopt European Union aviation safety legislation after Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein. Patrick Goudou, Executive Director of the Agency, said: “I welcome Switzerland’s membership. It is an important step towards a more integrated safety system in Europe and underlines the key role of the Agency in this system”. The four non-EU countries are represented in the Agency’s Management Board and nationals of these countries are eligible to work for the Agency.
Source: EASA-Press release 2006-11-30

(Originally posted by Michael Wukoschitz)

The Anthony G. Marshall Hospitality Law Award

"HOUSTON – HospitalityLawyer.com is proud to announce the following nominees for the Anthony G. Marshall Hospitality Law Award:

• Jim Butler - Chairman, Global Hospitality Group of Jeffer, Mangels, Butler & Marmaro
• Madeleine Kleiner - Executive Vice President and General Counsel, Hilton Hotels Corporation
• Andria Ryan - Partner, Fisher & Phillips
• Irv Sandman - Shareholder, Graham & Dunn, P.C.
• Arch Stokes - Shareholder and Executive Director, Shea Stokes & Carter
• Stephen Barth - Professor of Hospitality Law and Leadership, Conrad N. Hilton College of Hotel and Restaurant Management

The Anthony G. Marshall Award honoree will be announced on February 8, 2007, during the two-day Fifth Annual Hospitality Law Conference in Houston, Texas.
Each year at the Annual Hospitality Law Conference, the Marshall Award is given to someone who has made pioneering and lasting contributions to the field of hospitality law. In presenting the award, the selection board seeks to recognize someone who exemplifies Mr. Marshall's commitment to hospitality law. This will be the third year the Award will be presented.
Anthony Marshall himself received the Award the first year, with Banks Brown, General Counsel to the American Hotel & Lodging Association, the Hotel Association of New York City and the Travel Business Roundtable, receiving the Award at last year's Conference.

For more information, please contact Jeanie Gibbs at 713-963-8800 or at jeanie@hospitalitylawyer.com."

British Airways: debate on religious emblems continued

British Prime Minister Tony Blair delivered an astonishing put-down to the head of British Airways in the row over staff wearing personal religious symbols.
The issue came up at a conference of business leaders in the Confederation of British Industry. BA chairman Martin Broughton sought Tony Blair's support for the airline's robust ban on religious emblems worn by uniformed staff on duty, given that the police, the Army and other government uniformed staff have an identical policy in relation to crosses outside of the uniform.

However, Blair's responded that there were battles really not worth fighting. Being a a fan of BA and its management, his advice was "just to do the sensible thing".

Read more here.

British Airways to review its policy on crucifixes

British Airways will review its uniforms policy following a row over a check-in worker told to stop wearing a crucifix.
Ms Nadia Eweida, 55, has refused to return to work at Heathrow Airport since bosses told her last month she could not wear a necklace bearing a small cross over her uniform. She said she did not want to hide the cross because "Jesus has to be glorified". She lost an appeal against the decision last week, although she has the right to a second appeal. Ms Eweida said the airline's decision was good news, and she hoped it would help her win her case.
Leading figures in the Church of England had appealed to the airline to reconsider its stand. British Airways announced the review hours after the Archbishop of Canterbury, Rowan Williams, said talks had begun on a possible sale of the Church of England's £10.25 million ($25 million) worth of shares in the airline.

Source: http://www.travelindustryreview.com/news/3803

UNWTO Executive Council: fighting poverty and improving cultural understanding

The importance of tourism and its contribution to the process of economic and social development, within the framework of the Millennium Development Goals of the United Nations, was underscored during the Executive Council of the UNWTO, meeting in Algiers for its 79th session on November 20th and 21st.

The Executive Council decided specifically to strengthen a number of key programmes:

• To support, the fight against poverty – most notably by rationalizing technical assistance programs and projects within the framework of its Sustainable Tourism for the Elimination of Poverty(ST-EP).
• To ensure effective response to emergencies – endorsing action within the UN System to prepare for a possible avian flu pandemic, to extend this approach to other crisis situations and to provide a web based portal for effective support and communications to stakeholders in crisis situations.
• To encourage stronger security while enhancing facilitation (SAFE) and to explore new legal and technology processes, with a clear emphasis on ensuring that poor countries have the necessary technology.
• To strengthen public-private partnerships - supporting a new focus for its Affiliate Members, including an initiative to develop a UNWTO Centre of Excellence for Destinations in Montreal, Canada.

Read more here.

USA: Breastfeeding moms protest discrimination by airline

After a nursing mother was removed from a Delta commuter flight operated by Freedom Airlines from Burlington, Vermont, to New York last month, breastfeeding mothers today will conduct "nurse-ins" against Delta Air Lines at more than a dozen U.S. airports.

Source: http://www.travelindustryreview.com/news/3759

"Commission allows Malta to aid the creation of new air routes"

According to the EU Press Room, "The European Commission has decided today to allow Malta to grant start-up aid for new air routes from Malta International Airport. The measure will last until September 2011 and provides for a total of Lm25 million (€58 million) to airlines in order to finance new routes. The primary objective of the aid is to improve connectivity by enhancing access to air transport services which are of basic importance for the economic and social development of Malta."

This Press Release is available in full text.

Italy Scraps Tourist Tax Proposal

A proposal to introduce a levy on tourists visiting Italy has been scrapped by the coalition government, much to the relief of the country's tourism industry. The draft government budget for 2007 had originally contained a measure that would have allowed local authorities to put in place an EUR5 (US$6.40) charge per tourist per day to help them meet the growing costs of maintaining historic monuments. However, the measure received widespread opposition from parties within the governing coalition, including from the Prime Minister's own governing centre-left party, which acknowledged the tourist industry's fears that the tax would deter people from spending holidays in Italy.

Source: http://www.tax-news.com

UNWTO Executive Council: Tourism Fosters Trade and Development

The UNWTO Executive Council meeting in Algiers for its 79th session, with the attendance of 38 Ministerial Delegations from around the world, welcomed the estimated 4.6% growth of international arrivals in 2006. This market strength is forecast to continue through 2007, at around 4% - the fourth year of sustained growth in international tourism and in line with UNWTO’s long-term vision.
UNWTO Secretary-General Francesco Frangialli, particularly underscored Africa 's strong 2006 forecast, where tourism arrivals are expected to increase by 10.6% through this year. Sub-Saharan Africa with a forecast 2006 increase of 12.6% is a key driver of the success. North Africa is also expected to grow well above the world average.
The Executive Council, will review the state of the tourism industry against the evolving global geopolitical and social dynamics, with an emphasis on tourism's role as a key element of trade and development and in the context of the organization's role as the specialized agency of the UN family dealing with this important service sector.

Read more here.

"Study: Perceived Treatment of Foreign Travelers Driving Away Visitors, Damaging America’s Image Abroad"

As stated by the Discover America Partnership, "The U.S. entry process has created a climate of fear and frustration that is turning away foreign business and leisure travelers from visiting the United States – and damaging America’s image abroad. But, according to a new global study conducted by the Discover America Partnership, minor improvements in welcoming travelers could yield substantial diplomatic and economic gains.
The study, conducted by independent polling firm RT Strategies and based upon a survey of more than 2,000 travelers worldwide, sought to gauge traveler perceptions of the U.S. visa and entry process, and how opinions of America differ among those that have and have not visited the U.S. The study revealed that, by deterring visitors, the U.S. is missing an enormous economic and diplomatic opportunity. Those that have visited the U.S. and interacted with the American people are 74 percent more likely to have an extremely favorable opinion of the U.S.
'This study should be a wake-up call for the U.S. government,' said Geoff Freeman, Executive Director of the Discover America Partnership. 'Visiting the United States and interacting with the American people can have a powerful, positive effect on how non-U.S. residents see our country. Unfortunately, perceptions of a 'rude' and 'arrogant’ entry process are turning away travelers and harming America's image.'."
This Press Release is available here.