organisations-operators

The executive council of the World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) has met in-person and virtually for its 112th session.
This was the first major in-person event involving tourism and the United Nations held since the Covid-19 was declared a pandemic.
The council was able to gather 170 delegates from 24 countries, who all agreed to support the Tbilisi Declaration with its commitment to making international travel safe again.
The body also decided to open a first UNWTO regional office.
The council of the United Nations specialised agency ensures that the organisation fulfils its programme of work and adheres to its budget.

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After the session was opened by the prime minister of Georgia, Giorgi Gacharia, UNWTO secretary general Zurab Pololikashvili outlined the accomplishments of the past 12 months.
This included the provision of technical support to members, tourism advocacy at the very highest political level, and furthering the contributions of tourism to the Sustainable Development Goals from within the wider United Nations system.
Opening the meeting, Gacharia said: “The post-crisis era presents an opportunity for our tourism sector to showcase the uniqueness of Georgia and make the country into a leading destination, with the many social and economic benefits this will bring.
“Work together to build a tourism sector that works for everyone, where sustainability and innovation are part of everything we do.”
In his welcoming remarks, Pololikashvili underscored the value of tourism.
He added that: “This crisis has made clear the important role tourism plays in every part of our lives,” laying the ground to “work together to build a tourism sector that works for everyone, where sustainability and innovation are part of everything we do”.
The members of the council confirmed plans to open the first UNWTO regional office, to be located in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, which recently announced its ambitious plans to open up its tourism sector to the world, including through the relaxation of visa rules for visitors.
Ahmed Al Khateeb, minister of tourism for Saudi Arabia, commended UNWTO for “its leadership during this challenging period”.
He added: “We are honoured that Saudi Arabia has been approved as the location for the first ever UNWTO regional office.
“This collaborative approach will help drive growth and build resilience across the tourism sector at national and regional levels.”
He announced that the regional office for the Middle East will opened between this and next year.
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loveholidays has become the latest travel agent to depart ABTA in a growing dispute over refunds.
The online travel company follows On the Beach in resigning its membership of the trade body.
The 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 and now loveholidays have rejected the position.
A statement from loveholidays explained: “The Covid-19 pandemic has caused unprecedented challenges for holidaymakers, which have been exacerbated by frequent changes in travel guidance issued by the UK government.
“The current package travel legislation was never designed to deal with disruption on the scale we have seen since March.

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“Unfortunately, as a result of our divergent views on the legal position regarding cancellations and refunds, we have decided that it is no longer possible for loveholidays to remain a member of ABTA.”
Loveholidays said package holidays remained protected by the ATOL scheme.
The statement added: “We believe the priority for everyone in the travel industry should be to come up with a workable, fair solution to help holidaymakers get their money back as quickly as possible.
“Speeding up the refund process for airlines must be a key part of this solution, and we urge the entire industry to focus on working together to make this possible.”
In response to the latest resignation, ABTA doubled down on its position.
A spokesperson explained: “loveholidays has chosen to resign from ABTA membership 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.
“ABTA is firm in its position that the longstanding practice of offering a full refund when the Foreign Office advises against travel still stands.”
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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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