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      International coordination could see tourism recover by 2022, WTTC argues

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      World Travel & Tourism Council chief executive, Gloria Guevara, has said global tourism can recover from the Covid-19 pandemic by early 2022.
      However, the timeframe will require a great deal more cooperation between governments, she argued.
      “We can recover in 18 months – but it depends on coordination at an international level.
      “Some countries did a good job containing this pandemic, but they do not have a plan to reopen.
      “You cannot work in silos; travel depends on a lot of partners working together.”
      She added: “It is our role to facilitate these relationships and to help countries to work together to reopen.”
      Guevara pointed to the possibility of opening airline routes between London and Dubai or London and New York to evaluate testing procedures designed to remove quarantine.
      If the world fails to act to reopen tourism, as many as 100 million jobs could be lost, the WTTC has argued.
      Guevara added a vaccine would play a vital role in the reopening of the sector.

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      She explained: “We believe there is going to be a vaccine before the end of the year – the challenge is going to be the distribution of the vaccine.
      “Again we will need the coordination in order to make sure everybody who needs it, gets it.”
      Guevara was speaking at the Future Hospitality Summit, a hybrid virtual conference developed to explore big ideas and tackle the challenges facing the hospitality industry.
      It is taking place in Riyadh over the next two days.
      The event, which promises to be one of the most impactful gatherings of the hospitality community, will be delivered on a cutting-edge event platform from Bench Digital.
      It will provide an immersive live experience, including a virtual exhibition, one-to-one video networking and integrated chat features to all participants.
      More Information
      Future Hospitality Summit is organised by ministry of tourism Saudi Arabia and G20 Saudi Secretariat as part of the International Conferences Program, honouring the G20 Saudi presidency 2020.
      Find out more on the official website.
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      Stace to lead travel business at Saga

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      Saga has announced the appointment of Nick Stace as chief executive of its travel business.
      He currently holds the role of chief strategy officer with the company, and will take up his new role with immediate effect.
      In his new role Stace will oversee the cruise and tours businesses, while he will also retain responsibility for strategy at the parent company.
      The key focus in both travel businesses is ensuring a safe return to service as soon as government restrictions on travel are lifted.
      In his current role, Stace has been leading work with government and all other relevant authorities to ensure provision of the very best safety operating protocols for a Covid-19 world.

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      Before joining Saga, he had held a series of senior leadership roles across charities, consumer-facing organisations and financial services as well as in regulation. 
      Euan Sutherland, Saga Group chief executive, said: “I am delighted that Nick is moving to head our travel business after successfully driving our strategic reset.
      “With a new strategy in place and a significantly enhanced financial position, we see a wealth of opportunities ahead of us as we position Saga to deliver sustainable growth and create significant long-term value.
      “Nick brings a wealth of experience that will be invaluable for the next phase of development of our travel business.”
      Stace replaces Robin Shaw who left Saga in June.
      Stace said: “My number one priority in my new role is ensuring that our travel businesses are ready to provide exceptional experiences to our customers when the current restrictions are lifted.
      “We know that the demand is there, because our customers are enthusiastically re-booking in both cruise and tours and we have worked to ensure we have detailed, industry-leading procedures ready for a Covid-19 world.”
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      Thomas Cook sees spike in Canary Island demand

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      The newly-relaunched Thomas Cook has seen demand for holidays in the Canary Islands leap as searches rise more than 20 times on the previous week for the Spanish holiday hotspot.
      Overall traffic yesterday tripled following the 17:00 announcement yesterday, when Grant Shapps confirmed Brits travelling to the Canary Islands, Denmark and Mykonos would not need to quarantine on their return.
      Searches continue to accelerate this morning with customers flocking to grab last-minute deals to the main islands of Tenerife, Lanzarote, Gran Canaria and Fuerteventura.

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      Thomas Cook, which launched last month committing to only sell holidays that are quarantine-free, is expecting to see a bumper weekend of interest – particularly with half-term upon us.
      In addition, all holidays booked with Thomas Cook come with a money-back guarantee if quarantine rules are reinstated.
      A spokesperson for Thomas Cook said: “It looks like Brits are clamouring to flock south for the winter and demand for holidays in the sun-soaked Canaries has come at just the right time for people looking for a break.
      “There are some great deals to be had and all of the islands offer a great choice of holiday, from budget options through to high-end all-inclusive.”
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      CAA extends ATOL credit note scheme

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      The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has announced the ATOL refund credit notes scheme will be extended until the end of the year.
      In July, the ATOL scheme announced, following confirmation from the department for transport, that refund credit notes issued for cancelled ATOL protected bookings as a result of Covid-19 would be protected.
      Originally, this protection applied to refund credit notes issued between March 10th and September 30th this year.
      However, the scheme is today able to announce that ATOL protection for refund credit notes has been extended to cover any issued between the start of October and December 31st.
      Consumers are entitled to a cash refund if a refund credit note is not suitable for them and have the right to exchange their refund credit note for cash at any point.

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      However, as the ATOL protection for their refund credit note will expire on the September 30th next year they should redeem or exchange for a refund before this date.
      Paul Smith, consumer director at the UK CAA, said: “While consumers who have had their holidays cancelled are entitled to a full cash refund, some may choose to accept a refund credit note.
      “In light of the continued impact of the coronavirus pandemic on travel, the decision to extend ATOL protection for refund credit notes will strengthen consumer confidence and allow for ATOL holders to continue to offer them in good faith to their customers.”
      He added: “Travel businesses should ensure that if they offer their customers vouchers or refund credit notes after December 31st they include in the offer clear information as to what protection, if any, applies.”
      More Information
      Further details of any conditions can be found on the CAA website.
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      CAA extends ATOL credit note scheme until end of the year

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      The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has announced the ATOL refund credit notes scheme will be extended until the end of the year.
      In July, the ATOL scheme announced, following confirmation from the department for transport, that refund credit notes issued for cancelled ATOL protected bookings as a result of Covid-19 would be protected.
      Originally, this protection applied to refund credit notes issued between March 10th and September 30th this year.
      However, the scheme is today able to announce that ATOL protection for refund credit notes has been extended to cover any issued between the start of October and December 31st.
      Consumers are entitled to a cash refund if a refund credit note is not suitable for them and have the right to exchange their refund credit note for cash at any point.

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      However, as the ATOL protection for their refund credit note will expire on the September 30th next year they should redeem or exchange for a refund before this date.
      Paul Smith, consumer director at the UK CAA, said: “While consumers who have had their holidays cancelled are entitled to a full cash refund, some may choose to accept a refund credit note.
      “In light of the continued impact of the coronavirus pandemic on travel, the decision to extend ATOL protection for refund credit notes will strengthen consumer confidence and allow for ATOL holders to continue to offer them in good faith to their customers.”
      He added: “Travel businesses should ensure that if they offer their customers vouchers or refund credit notes after December 31st they include in the offer clear information as to what protection, if any, applies.”
      More Information
      Further details of any conditions can be found on the CAA website.
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      PATA reorganises governance structure

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      The Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) has made significant changes to the design of its organisational governance at the recent board meeting.
      Over the past three years, PATA has been reviewing leading organisational models and been in consultation with a wide range of experts to create a design that modifies and refines the association for more efficient outcomes and engaged participation.
      The major changes are a shift from an appointed board to an elected board by all members that is also substantially reduced in size, in addition to a reduced and fully elected executive board.
      A unique feature of the new design is a shift from an expansive array of committees to ‘expert task forces’ (ETFs), which draw upon the deep knowledge and experience within the PATA network to address issues of interest to the association and the industry.
      The ETFs are established to focus on a specific task within a specified time-frame and disband upon completion.

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      New ETFs will be formed on new issues as they arise.
      The goal is to enable the active engagement of members in dynamic and meaningful activities that support PATA’s purpose of facilitating the responsible development of travel and tourism in the Asia Pacific region.
      As noted by immediate past chair, Chris Bottrill, who oversaw the governance redesign during his tenure as chair: “I believe the meetings last week were a pivotal moment for PATA.
      “Through the work of dedicated leaders and the input of members, we have committed to a new design that builds upon the legacy of PATA and sets us up for future growth, impact and success.
      “It is a proud moment for the PATA community to have embraced change with the goal of strengthening the association now and for the future.”
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      UNWTO calls for global coordination to restart tourism

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      Consistent and harmonised travel protocols, enhanced safety measures and the protection of jobs and livelihoods are the main ingredients needed for the restart of tourism.
      The sixth meeting of the UNWTO Global Tourism Crisis Committee reminded participants of the need to work together as the only means of advancing the sustainable recovery of the sector.
      The meeting produced a commitment to create a new UNWTO Committee on Common Safety Protocols to increase confidence in international travel, as well as firm plans for enhanced consumer protection for consumers and measures to protect jobs.
      Setting the tone for the meeting, UNWTO secretary general, Zurab Pololikashvili, made clear that, with many millions of livelihoods at stake, inaction is not an option, and that the rapid and sustainable recovery of tourism is essential.
      “Strong coordination is needed to accelerate the lifting of travel restrictions in a safe and timely manner, to increase investment in systems that support safe travel, including testing on departure, and to sustain and support businesses and jobs.

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      “If we fail to address these three priorities, we will fail to restart tourism, and so fail to save millions of livelihoods,” Pololikashvili said.
      Just as people are at the driving force of global tourism, so too has UNWTO stressed that recovery policies must recovery be people-focused.
      For starters, restoring consumer trust and coherent and standardized international protocols are mutually reinforcing and critical for the return of tourism.
      The Crisis Committee meeting saw UNWTO announce plans for a new International Code for the Protection of Tourists.
      This will be the first legal framework to protect tourists’ rights as consumers, harmonizing minimum standards across different countries and ensuring the fair distribution of responsibility to tourists affecting by the pandemic among stakeholders across the sector.
      A technical committee for the creation of the code is being set up and will meet before the end of the month.
      Alongside this, UNWTO is working to protect jobs and help workers affected by the pandemic find new opportunities.
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      British Museum holds on to tourism top spot

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      The annual attractions survey, published today by VisitEngland, has revealed that gardens saw the highest percentage growth in visitor numbers during 2019.
      Visits to gardens across England increased by ten per cent in 2019 compared to the previous year.
      Farms and places of worship also saw strong growth in visitor numbers, up eight and seven per cent, respectively.
      historic houses/castles and wildlife attractions/zoos saw good growth in visits, both up by five per cent.
      Overall England’s visitor attractions saw a rise of three per cent in visitors in 2019, the highest year-on-year increase since 2014, and four per cent growth in revenue compared to the previous year.

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      These trends are likely to have gone into sharp reverse this year, however, as the country battles the Covid-19 pandemic.
      VisitEngland chief executive, Sally Balcombe, said: “From world-renowned museums, galleries, castles and historic houses to rural, wildlife and outdoor experiences, England’s outstanding range of visitor attractions are a crucial and valuable part of our tourism offer, boosting local economies right across the country.
      “England’s attractions continued to provide a rich and varied canvas to capture the imagination of domestic and international visitors and our stunning gardens were a proven tourism draw, admired at home and across the world for their beauty and variety.
      “Millions of jobs and local economies rely on tourism and this annual survey is also a timely opportunity to highlight the dedication of visitor attractions across the country who have been working so hard to welcome visitors back safely, adapting and innovating to meet new ways of working and still providing a great experience.”
      Topping the list of free attractions was the British Museum with 6.2 million visitors followed by the Tate Modern with nearly 6.1 million and the National Gallery with six million.
      The Tower of London remained the most visited ‘paid for’ attraction in 2019 with almost three million visits followed by the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, which saw a 25 per cent increase in visitors to 2.3 million and Chester Zoo with 2.1 million.
      The survey, which gathered information from 1,308 English attractions, also showed increases in international visitors overall in 2019, up two per cent, and more local day trips to attractions than in the previous year, also up two per cent.
      More Information
      To see the results of the VisitEngland annual survey of visits to visitor attractions, including regional data for attractions, head over to the official website.
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