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.

"Senate Commerce Committee Reports Bills Promoting Travel to U.S. [...]"

"WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation reported four bills today, including the Travel Promotion Act of 2007, which promotes international travel to the United States through a non-profit Corporation for Travel Promotion.
[...]
“The travel and tourism industry is a driving force for our nation’s economy,” said Commerce Committee Chairman Daniel K. Inouye (D-Hawaii). “The Travel Promotion Act will attract visitors to America and improve our nation’s image abroad, all while bettering our nation’s economy.”
“This legislation will help increase the number of foreign tourists who visit the United States by creating a robust travel promotion campaign,” said Commerce Committee Vice Chairman Ted Stevens (R-Alaska). “This bill is particularly important to my home State of Alaska, where the travel and tourism industry is the second largest private sector employer. More than 24,000 Alaskans hold tourism-related jobs, and the industry contributes more than $2 billion to our State’s economy each year.”

S. 1661, Travel Promotion Act of 2007
Introduced by Senator Byron Dorgan (D-N.D.), with the original cosponsorship of Chairman Inouye and Vice Chairman Stevens, the Travel Promotion Act of 2007 would establish a non-profit Corporation for Travel Promotion (Corporation) and establish the Office of Travel Promotion within the Department of Commerce headed by the Under Secretary for Travel Promotion, to promote international travel to the United States.
The Corporation would be comprised of a 15-member board consisting of representatives of states, the federal government, higher education, and the travel industry, who would use advertising, among other means, to encourage travel to all regions within the United States, and correct misperceptions overseas regarding U.S. travel policies. The bill would authorize the Corporation to borrow $10 million from the Treasury in 2008 to cover its initial expenses but require the Corporation to pay the funds back by 2012. Starting in 2009, the Corporation would be required to raise non-federal funds, including in-kind contributions. Based on the amount raised by the Corporation, up to $100 million in federal matching funds would be made available annually from the Travel Promotion Fund established in the Treasury. The Travel Promotion Fund would be financed by a $10 user fee, which would be imposed on international travelers to the U.S. under the visa waiver program. United States taxpayers will not bear the cost of supporting the Corporation.
The Under Secretary would serve as liaison to the Corporation, work with the Secretaries of Homeland Security and State Department to improve the entry and departure experience for international visitors, and promote travel into and within the country.
As amended, the bill also would direct the Secretary of Homeland Security to establish a model port of entry program at the 20 airports with the highest number of foreign travelers arriving annually. The Secretary is further directed to hire 200 additional Customs and Border Protection officers to address staffing shortages at the 20 airports, subject to appropriations."
As stated by the Public Information Office.

"Airlines black list : new measures against unsafe carriers"

According to the EU Press Room, "The European Commission has received the unanimous opinion of its Air Safety Committee on the fourth update of the Community list of airlines banned in the European Union. On this basis, an operating ban to all Indonesian airlines as well as to the Angolan flag carrier, TAAG Angolan airlines, and to Volare Aviation Enterprise from Ukraine, should be imposed in the coming days. The restrictions imposed on Pakistan International Airlines will be modified. In addition, airlines from Russia (10), Bulgaria (6), and Moldova (8) will stop to operate in the European Union on the basis of new measures adopted by these States following consultations with the European Commission."

"Airport tax at Malta Airport: Commission takes Malta to the Court of Justice"

As stated by the EU Press Room, "The European Commission considers the airport tax levied at Malta International Airport to discriminate between air passengers. The Commission has therefore decided today to lodge a formal complaint to the European Court of Justice. Air passengers travelling from Malta to other EU Member States will benefit from eliminating the discriminatory effects of the airport tax.
The airport tax is discriminatory as it is only levied on air passengers beginning an international journey from Malta airport, but not levied if the passenger had started the journey outside Malta. The tax therefore puts an unfair burden on residents in Malta, and makes it more difficult for them to receive and provide services in other Member States [Article 49 of the EC Treaty].
Furthermore, domestic destinations are exempted from the airport tax. According to the Commission the airport tax should not differentiate between domestic and other intra-Community flights.
The Court case constitutes the third step in the relevant infringement procedure. First, a letter of formal notice was sent to Malta on 4 July 2006, and then a reasoned opinion was delivered on 15 December 2006."

Florida: 2007 Tourism Leadership Summit

The third annual Tourism Leadership Summit, featuring some of travel and tourism’s best and brightest minds, is scheduled for the 19th to 21st of September, 2007, at the Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress in Orlando. Organized and presented by Skål International Orlando, the program is open to any senior executive in the industry worldwide. It is unique in that its emphasis is on personal development of the attendee with attendance limited to no more than 200, allowing participants excellent networking opportunities with fellow decision makers.

Source: ForImmediateRelease.Net; read full article here.

"Unified tourism authority planned"

According to The Japan Times Online, "The transport ministry is planning to integrate its tourism-related divisions into a single authority in fiscal 2008 to better attract international visitors and help reinvigorate local areas through tourism, officials said Tuesday.
Under the goal of making tourism a major industry, the government is trying to increase the annual number of foreign tourists to 10 million by 2010, and the planned authority would help spur those efforts, the officials said.
The launch of such an authority has been urged by both Diet chambers in resolutions following the enactment in December of a basic tourism promotion law, as well as by the travel and transport industries.
About 7.33 million foreign tourists visited Japan in 2006, compared with about 17.53 million Japanese tourists going abroad, which the government aims to increase by 2010 to 20 million."

"EU Commission set to quash Ryanair's Aer Lingus bid"

As reported by David Lawsky, of Reuters UK, "Ryanair, Europe's biggest budget airline, will lose its attempt to take over Irish rival Aer Lingus when the European Commission vetoes the bid on Wednesday, sources familiar with the matter say.
The Commission, executive arm of the European Union, will take the unusual step of blocking the unsolicited bid in order to prevent the two carriers from becoming a single, dominant operator at Dublin Airport and stifling competition there."
Read this article in full text, here.

Germany: Tour Operator liable for thrown shoes

Plaintiff claimed for damages suffered from an accident which occurred when she attended an evening acitivity at the holiday club where she spent her holidays on a package tour. As part of a game the presenter of the evening perfomance had told a child on the stage: "I bet your mum won't be able to collect 60 different shoes within two minutes" when people in the audience began to throw over their shoes to the stage. One stiletto-heeled shoe hit plaintiff who was sitting in the first row at the back of her head.
German Supreme Court (BGH) in a decision of 12. June 2007 held that the tour operator was liable as the accident constituted a defect of the performance of his contractual obligations because the presenter of the show acting as auxiliary person of the tour operator when offering the bet could have foreseen that some people might throw shoes to the stage and had failed to enjoin the audience from doing so.

Source: BGH press release 82/2007.

"Travel Trade Group Spent $250K Lobbying"

According to Frobes.com, "The Travel Industry Association of America, whose members include airlines, hotels and tourism agencies, spent $250,000 in second half of 2006 lobbying the federal government, according to a disclosure form.
The trade group lobbied on numerous issues, including visas, border security and National Park Service funding, according to the form posted online Thursday by the Senate's public records office.
Delta Air Lines Inc., Marriott International Inc. and American Express Co. are among the dozens of companies, state and territorial tourism offices and federal agencies that are members of the Washington-based trade group.
Under a federal law enacted in 1995, lobbyists are required to disclose activities that could influence members of the executive and legislative branches. They must register with Congress within 45 days of being hired or engaging in lobbying." (The links were added)

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)