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      FCDO updates travel advice for limited number of destinations

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      The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) has updated its travel advice for a number of destinations, potentially clearing the way for the restart of travel.
      The government hopes international tourism can resume on May 17th, with details expected in the coming days on which countries are considered safe.
      Ahead of the announcement, the FCDO is no longer advising against non-essential travel to the Canary Islands, five Greek islands, most of Portugal, Malta and Israel.ADVERTISEMENTThe Canary Islands include Tenerife, Lanzarote, Gran Canaria and Fuerteventura.
      Greek islands with exemptions to the do not travel warning are Rhodes, Kos, Zakynthos, Corfu and Crete.
      Each destination has seen success in efforts to vaccination residents against Covid-19, with official stating the newly revealed exemptions are “based on the current assessment of Covid-19 risks”.
      The FCDO still advises against travel to the rest of Spain and Greece, and the autonomous Portuguese archipelago, the Azores.
      The US Virgin Islands has also been given an exemption.

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      IATA warns testing costs may deter travellers

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      The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has called on governments to ensure that high costs for Covid-19 testing do not put travel out of reach for individuals and families.
      To facilitate an efficient restart of international travel, Covid-19 testing must be affordable as well as timely, widely available and effective, the body argued.
      An IATA sampling of costs for PCR tests (the test most frequently required by governments) in 16 countries showed wide variations by markets and within markets.
      Even taking the average of the low-end costs, adding PCR testing to average airfares would dramatically increase the cost of flying for individuals.
      Pre-crisis, the average one-way airline ticket, including taxes and charges, cost $200 (2019 data). ADVERTISEMENTA $90 PCR test raises the cost by 45 per cent to $290.
      Add another test on arrival and the one-way cost would leap by 90 per cent to $380.
      Assuming that two tests are needed in each direction, the average cost for an individual return-trip could balloon from $400 to $760.
      The impact of the costs of Covid-19 testing on family travel would be even more severe.
      Based on average ticket prices ($200) and average low-end PCR testing ($90) twice each way, a journey for four that would have cost $1,600 pre-Covid, could nearly double to $3,040 – with $1440 being testing costs.
      Source: IATA
      “As travel restrictions are lifted in domestic markets, we are seeing strong demand.
      “The same can be expected in international markets.
      “But that could be perilously compromised by testing costs – particularly PCR testing.
      “Raising the cost of any product will significantly stifle demand.
      “The impact will be greatest for short-haul trips (up to 1,100 km), with average fares of $105, the tests will cost more than the flight,” said Willie Walsh, IATA director general.

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      UNWTO partners with G20 to drive tourism recovery

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      The United Nations World Tourism Organisation has sought to served as the sector’s global voice as the tourism ministers of the G20 nations met to devise a way forward for an inclusive, resilient and sustainable recovery.
      Upon assuming presidency of the G20, Italy has drawn on UNWTO data to highlight the impact the pandemic has had on tourist numbers globally and how this translates into lost jobs and revenues, as well as lost opportunities for social development.
      Addressing the meeting, UNWTO secretary general, Zurab Pololikashvili, stressed the continued need for coordination at the very highest level, in order to advance “common, harmonised criteria for the easing of travel restrictions, and for increased investment in systems that support safe travel, including testing on departure and on arrival”.
      With the crisis far from over, the secretary general welcomed the G20 Rome Guidelines for the Future of Tourism and called for “schemes aimed at supporting the survival of tourism jobs and businesses to be sustained and, wherever possible, expanded, especially as millions of livelihoods continue to be at risk”.
      Italy minister of tourism, Massimo Garavaglia, outlined the G20’s priorities, including safe mobility, supporting tourism jobs and businesses, building resilience against future shocks, and advancing the green transformation of the sector. ADVERTISEMENTFurthermore, the ministers recalled that the current crisis represents an opportunity to rethink and restart tourism, with an emphasis on guiding the sector towards greater sustainability.
      In addition to ensuring the safe restart of international travel and supporting jobs and businesses, the G20 ministers committed to taking action in driving the digital transformation of the sector, with particular reference to ensuring everyone has fair access to the opportunities that will come from greater innovation, and in promoting more investment in green tourism infrastructure.
      The new UNWTO Recommendations for the Transition to a Green Travel and Tourism Economy, developed in partnership with the G20 Tourism Working Group, were identified as a key resource for advancing.
      The recommendations present the main lines of action and showcase frontrunning initiatives of tourism businesses and destinations leading the way in achieving greater sustainability while also outlining steps that can help tourism recover from the worst crisis in its history safely and responsibly.
      UNWTO will continue to work with the Italian G20 Presidency as well as the previous and forthcoming presidencies, Saudi Arabia, and Indonesia, in advancing the contribution of tourism to the G20 objectives.

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      Fisher appointed marketing director with Saga

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      Fisher appointed marketing director with Saga

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      Hannah Fisher has joined Saga Travel as its new marketing director.
      Fisher brings with her a wealth of experience gathered over more than 20 years in the marketing industry.
      She specialises in marketing strategy and digital transformation, having most recently worked for Dentsu International leading clients Honda, Camelot and TSB.
      Prior to that Fisher held senior marketing roles at More Than, Sky and Direct Line.
      She will be responsible for the development and delivery of the marketing strategy for Saga Travel and will lead the implementation of greater digital capability to drive a truly integrated approach to marketing communications.ADVERTISEMENTNick Stace, chief executive of Saga Travel, said: “We’re delighted to welcome Hannah’s experience to the Saga Travel team.
      “Her excellent background with strong consumer brands will provide the strategic rigour to ensure that Saga leads the pack in both retaining current customers and attracting new ones.
      “This is a critical time for the travel industry and we’re experiencing tremendous customer demand for cruise holidays, which has seen the early sailings already fully booked, so Hannah is joining us at a time of huge growth and opportunity.”
      In addition to her new role at Saga Travel, Fisher is an active mentor and member of Bloom UK, which aims to lift up the next generation of female leaders and in her spare time, she volunteers as an NHS first responder.

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      Jordan appointed director of membership at ABTA

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      ABTA has promoted Rachel Jordan to the role of director of membership and financial protection. 
      The move sees Jordan take on overall responsibility for membership onboarding and management, in additional to her existing financial protection role, starting today.
      Her enhanced brief comes as John de Vial, the current director of financial protection and financial services at ABTA, moves to focus on major initiatives supporting the delivery of the strategic plan.
      Both Jordan and John de Vial report to ABTA chief executive, Mark Tanzer. 
      Tanzer said: “Our members are ABTA’s beating heart and in Rachel they will have an extremely capable new director of membership and financial protection, supporting them as we move into travel’s restart and beyond.”ADVERTISEMENTABTA has also announced that Alice Catterall, its director of partnerships and events, is to leave in the summer to take on a managing director position in the private sector.
      Tanzer added: “Alice has been an excellent leader of a varied and vibrant industry events programme that is highly valued not just by our members but the wider industry too.
      “The successful transition from in-person events to virtual formats during the pandemic has enabled ABTA to stay in touch and relevant to our members.”

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      Civil Aviation Authority begins ATOL consultation

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      The UK Civil Aviation Authority has launched a consultation on ATOL.
      The government body said the project will consider evolving the regulatory framework to improve financial resilience.
      At present, some ATOL protected travel businesses use their customers’ advance payments for their holidays to fund their own operations, before the customers have had their holidays.
      This is a long-standing practice in the industry, but in some cases it may fail to incentivise sufficiently robust financing arrangements.
      The proposed changes will look at new approaches that would reduce the risk posed to consumers should any individual travel business cease to trade, the CAA said.ADVERTISEMENTThe Covid-19 pandemic has also further highlighted how challenging it was for some businesses to pay customers the refunds to which they were entitled.
      Paul Smith, director at the UK Civil Aviation Authority, said: “The ATOL scheme exists to protect consumers, and it is therefore right that we work to continually strengthen its financial resilience.
      “Following several large ATOL failures in recent years, we have become concerned about the impact of businesses using consumers’ money as a source of funding working capital.
      “That’s why we are seeking people’s views on changing these arrangements to further enhance ATOL protection of customers’ money.”
      The consultation will close on July 30th and the UK Civil Aviation Authority will then consider recommendations ahead of launching a second consultation making specific proposals in early 2022.
      “The travel industry can be reassured that we understand the impact that the Covid-19 pandemic has had on their finances.
      “We will take full account of the need to allow industry to adjust to any new arrangements that will be implemented following the overall consultation process,” concluded Smith.

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      WTTC 2021: Global Summit baton handed to Manila

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      Private and public sector tourism leaders have taken a united stand to safely restart international travel at the closure of the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) Global Summit.
      They used the forum to share their experiences from the last 12 devastating months and discuss how together they could safely restart international travel.
      The Global Summit also named Carnival Corporation chief executive, Arnold Donald, as new chair of WTTC, which represents the global private tourism sector.
      Donald took over from outgoing chair, Chris Nassetta, chief executive of Hilton, after three successful years at the helm of WTTC.
      Following the three-day event in Cancun, Mexico, WTTC announced Manila, capital of the Philippines, will be the host of its next Global Summit, with dates to be confirmed. ADVERTISEMENTIn a world-first, WTTC organised the event for the first time since the outbreak of the pandemic – with tens of thousands more joining virtually – while complying with strict world-class health and hygiene protocols.
      Regular testing was made available for all delegates attending for the duration of the summit to ensure their safety was paramount.
      Gloria Guevara, WTTC chief executive, said: “WTTC brought together exceptional leaders from across the private and public sectors throughout tourism at our Global Summit, united in their desire to safely revive international travel.
      “Our very presence here, shows that we can resume international travelling once more, by observing the latest health and safety protocols, which WTTC has helped develop for businesses large and small throughout the sector.
      “Together we have shown that with a united front, both the private and public sectors in tourism can drive change and get the world moving again so that we can start travelling, exploring and sharing our experiences face-to-face.
      “We concluded our Global Summit here in Cancun, confident that together we can revive a sector which will generate the economic recovery and bring people back together thanks to the amazing benefits international tourism can bring.”

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      Ortiguera to lead Pacific Asia Travel Association

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      The Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) has confirmed the appointment of Liz Ortiguera to the role of chief executive.
      She will take up the role on May 17th, succeeding Mario Hardy.
      PATA chair, Soon-Hwa Wong, said: “We are delighted to welcome Liz to the PATA family, especially as she will be the first Asian American female chief executive in PATA’s 70-year history.
      “Her extensive leadership experience across different industries in the Asia Pacific region is what PATA needs to lead the Association to new heights.
      “The executive board looks forward to working closely with her as we rebuild a more resilient, responsible, sustainable and stronger travel and tourism industry.”ADVERTISEMENTOrtiguera is a senior executive with over 25 years of global experience and expertise in general management, marketing, business development and partner network management. 
      She is passionate about innovation, business transformation and community building. 
      She has experience in working at both multinational corporations including American Express and Merck and start-up environments in software as a service (SaaS), e-commerce and ed-tech. 
      For ten years she was the general manager for Amex’s Travel Partner Network in Asia-Pacific, managing partnerships with top travel management companies, MICE and leisure agencies in the region. 
      Commenting on her new appointment, Ortiguera said: “I am honoured to be selected as the next PATA chief executive.
      “I am confident that PATA, with its diverse member base of industry leaders, will continue to help catalyse our industry’s recovery and growth. 
      “From crisis comes innovation and from community comes strength.
      “PATA is even more critical as a business community today to support new partnerships, innovation, and the adoption of sustainable business practices.”

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