Eliana Willis

Say Hueque has become the first tour operator in Argentina to be recognised as offsetting 100 per cent of the carbon emissions created by its trips.
Rafa Mayer, founder and director of the company, explained: “I wanted guests to see the off-the-beaten-path natural wonders I have seen by traveling this amazing region, to connect with people and places as I once did. 
“With Say Hueque, I realised that traveling, if well managed, can be a source of employment in rural communities and catalyst for the creation of multicultural empathy, as well as a powerful tool to create conscious awareness about the fragility of the environment and the necessity to preserve nature and local cultures.
“I am a strong believer that travel can be a force for good.”
He continued: “But now we have become part of the problem.
“The fast growth of travel contributes to contamination and global warming and many travel companies around the globe are taking action.

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“Traveling at a slow pace, individually or in small groups, using local operators and family-run hotels, is very important but not enough.”
To combat the problem, Say Hueque has become 100 per cent carbon neutral in Argentina.
The company is partnering with South Pole, one of the most reputable organisations on climate change, making sure that resources go directly to the correct projects.
There is also a relationship with Adventure Travel Trade Association, uniting some of the most recognised adventure travel companies of the world.
The carbon footprint of all trips is calculated with the help of South Pole tools and compensated with an equal investment in different projects that implement reforestation.
With this action, Say Hueque became the first tour operator in Argentina to take this step and is hoping that many others could soon follow.
The company has also become plastic-free, which means that the use of single-use plastic has been cancelled during trip operations.
This includes plastic bottles, plastic straws or plastic boxes for box lunches on all tours.

Say Hueque was launched 1999, and currently helps travellers from around the world explore both Argentina and Chile.
The company is currently in the running for the title of Argentina’s Leading Tour Operator at the prestigious World Travel Awards.
Voting is open here until September 24th.
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One of the most famous names in British hospitality, Thomas Cook relaunches today as an online travel business.
The move follows the acquisition of the company – which initially ceased trading in September last year – by international leisure company Fosun Tourism Group.
Branded as a ‘Covid-ready’ travel company, Thomas Cook will initially sell holidays to destinations on the safe travel corridor list.
Licensed by the CAA and ATOL-protected, the new Thomas Cook will launch as a purely online business via a website, offering customers thousands of hotels and flight routes so they can design their own holidays.
At launch, holidays will be available in popular beach destinations and cities in countries including Italy, Greece and Turkey, in line with the current travel corridors. 
Customers will be able to choose from room-only to all-inclusive options, across three, four and five-star hotels. 
The new website puts customers in control of their own holiday, with the ability to design their trip according to their budget, needs and specifications.
Add-ons will include transfers, car hire, airport parking, currency and travel insurance.

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Alan French, who held the role of group strategy and technology director at the former Thomas Cook, has been appointed chief executive of the new venture.
He said: “We have reinvented one of the most recognisable names in British travel.
“Our new business will combine fantastic UK based customer service with an updated operating model protected by Atol and with the backing of a multi-billion-dollar organisation.
“We are launching now clearly aware of the short-term challenges posed by the pandemic.
“We and our Fosun backers are taking the long view and we want to offer choice, customisation, and 24/7 on-holiday customer care to families who wish to travel now and in the future.”
He added: “We know Brits are keen to travel but feel nervous about safety and any changes to government rules on quarantine.
“We are only selling destinations on the travel corridor list and all the hotels are flexible.
“We also will not charge customers a fee to change their holidays if government rules change.”
Fosun Tourism Group, which also owns Club Med, acquired the brand and online assets of Thomas Cook in November last year. 
Jim Qian, chief executive of Fosun Tourism Group, said: “Thomas Cook has a proud heritage and after acquiring the brand last year we wanted to quickly return it to its home in the UK.
“Supporting the growth of the brand in China and its relaunch in the UK is a big step in our plan to turn Thomas Cook into a global success story and a key milestone in the development of the Fosun Tourism Group’s strategy.”
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Jet2.com has increased flights and holidays to Turkey for the remainder of the summer on the back of continued demand from British holidaymakers.
The leisure airline and package holiday specialist is giving customers more choice to visit the country, with the addition of over 60 new flights, representing more than 12,000 departing seats.
Trips include options in Antalya, Dalaman, Izmir and Bodrum.
Steve Heapy, chief executive of Jet2.com, said: “It’s clear from the high demand we are seeing for holidays and flights to Turkey that customers are keen to get away this summer for a much-needed holiday.

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“As usual, we have been quick to respond to that demand, giving our customers what they want by adding more seats and holidays on sale to this sunny hotspot.
“With fantastic deals and fee child places available, on top of great choice and flexibility, there is no better time to take advantage of a welcome escape.”
With visitors to Spain, France, Portugal and parts of Greece currently expected to quarantine on return to the UK, Turkey remains one of the few tourism hotspots considered safe for travel by the British government in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic.
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On the Beach has resigned its membership of ABTA following a disagreement over refunds.
The trade association recently reaffirmed its position that, if the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office advises against “all but essential” travel to a destination, trips should be cancelled, and refunds offered.
However, On the Beach has rejected the position.
The online travel agent declined to refund customers for the flight element of package bookings to Spain unless airlines had cancelled flights and made a refund.
A spokesperson for On the Beach said: “The travel industry is facing unprecedented challenges, and changes are inevitable as businesses and trade organisations adapt.

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“On the Beach has been an ABTA member since 2004, however the current circumstances have presented difficult decisions and different legal interpretations on complex matters.”
The company added On the Beach and subsidiary Sunshine.co.uk continue to be financially protected by the ATOL scheme.
In response, an ABTA spokesperson said: “We are sorry that On the Beach has resigned as a member of ABTA following ongoing discussions about refunds due to customers when the Foreign Office advice changes to advise against all, or all but essential travel to a destination.
“We recognise that the widespread imposition of advisories against travel places many ABTA members under enormous pressure regarding refunds.
“But ABTA has consistently maintained that the underlying obligation to refund remains, as has been the longstanding practice of the travel industry, and this has not changed as a result of Covid-19.
“ABTA believes this is important to ensure consumer confidence in the package holiday market.”
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PR agencies MMGY Grifco and MMGY Ophir are to merge.
The agencies, which were both founded by industry leader Claire Griffin, will combine to run as MMGY Grifco in London.
“We are thrilled to be joining together Grifco and Ophir PR to help our business evolve to the next level,” said Griffin. 
“Combining the expertise of our two teams brings clients even greater knowledge, resources, partnership opportunities and experience in the luxury travel and lifestyle sector.”
The brand merger sees a company restructure that includes some team promotions.

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Former associate directors Alexandra Delf and Flora Beaumont will take the reins of the day-to-day running of MMGY Grifco as its new managing directors.
As managing director, executive vice president, Delf will lead the organisation’s client and media relations efforts.
Formerly associate director of Ophir PR, she has a wealth of international experience and a proven track record of launching and building global luxury travel brands.
As managing director, operations, Beaumont will oversee financial management, growth, client strategy and team management.
She was formerly associate director of Grifco PR and has spearheaded impressive company growth over the past five years.
Griffin, who founded Grifco and Ophir PR nearly two decades ago, will remain an integral part of the Grifco business and assist in broader parent company initiatives as partner, MMGY Global.
“This merger of two MMGY Global brands represents an evolution to our approach in providing dedicated service to luxury and lifestyle brands in Europe, and we are delighted to have two natural leaders in Alexandra Delf and Flora Beaumont at the helm,” said Craig Compagnone, chief operating officer for MMGY Global.
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As restrictions on travel begin to ease globally, destinations around the world are focusing on growing domestic tourism, with many offering incentives to encourage people to explore their own countries.
According to the World Tourism Organisation, with domestic tourism set to return faster than international travel, this represents an opportunity for both developed and developing countries to recover from the social and economic impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Recognising the importance of domestic tourism, the United Nations agency has released the third of its tourism and Covid-19 briefing notes – Understanding Domestic Tourism and Seizing its Opportunities.
UNWTO data shows that in 2018, around nine billion domestic tourism trips were made worldwide – six times the number of international tourist arrivals (1.4 billion in 2018).
The publication identifies ways in which destinations around the world are taking proactive steps to grow domestic tourism, from offering bonus holidays for workers to providing vouchers and other incentives to people travelling in their own countries.
UNWTO secretary general, Zurab Pololikashvili, said: “UNWTO expects domestic tourism to return faster and stronger than international travel.
“Given the size of domestic tourism, this will help many destinations recover from the economic impacts of the pandemic, while at the same time safeguarding jobs, protecting livelihoods and allowing the social benefits tourism offers to also return.”

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The briefing note also shows that, in most destinations, domestic tourism generates higher revenues than international tourism.
In OECD nations, domestic tourism accounts for 75 per cent of total tourism expenditure, while in the European Union, domestic tourism expenditure is 1.8 times higher than inbound tourism expenditure.
Globally, the largest domestic tourism markets in terms of expenditure are the United States with nearly US$1 trillion, Germany with US$249 billion, Japan US$201 billion, the United Kingdom with US$154 billion and Mexico with US$139 billion.
Given the value of domestic tourism and current trends, increasing numbers of countries are taking steps to grow their markets, UNWTO reports.
This new Briefing Note provides case studies of initiatives designed to stimulate domestic demand.
These include initiatives focused on marketing and promotion as well as financial incentives.
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