NEWS 1
YOU NEED TO KNOW
Thirty Britons were among those killed in Sousse, Tunisia, last June
Travel firms ‘need to plan more thoroughly for a terrorism crisis’
Travel companies have been urged to plan on a ‘wider’ scale for a terrorist attack, at the industry’s first counterterror seminar. Firms at the Prevention
of Fraud in Travel (Profit) seminar were told to have a “business continuity plan” to deal with unexpected situations. This should include having
Abta queries FCO plan for new level of travel advice
Ian Taylor and Juliet Dennis
Abta is alarmed at Foreign & Commonwealth Office plans to introduce a new ‘level’ of travel advice highlighting the risks of terrorism or crime in destinations not currently subject to travel warnings.
The FCO will announce the
results of a review of its advice to travellers this autumn, following a consultation with industry and consumer groups which ended in April. Abta fears a change will confuse consumers. Joanne Roper, FCO director of consular services, told a recent Abta seminar: “We aim to differentiate the types of risk more closely, maybe with a fourth level
[of advice] that it is generally safe to travel, [but] be aware that the risks of crime or the terrorist threat are higher than at home.” The FCO currently rates the safety
of areas on three levels. These are shown on country maps on its website in green (safe but consult the advice), amber (advise against all but essential travel) or red (advise against all travel). Most popular destinations, apart from Tunisia, are presently shown in green. The new tier would sit between
green and orange. Roper insisted: “This is not seen as lowering the [existing] threshold of advice against all but essential travel.” Nikki White, Abta head of destinations and sustainability, said: “The existing system is well recognised and works well. What will ‘You’re able to travel but there
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travelweekly.co.uk 2 June 2016
“It’s clear when advice changes from green to amber. We foresee increased confusion”
is a heightened risk’ relate to? We’ve been given no examples. Where will it leave consumers? “It’s quite clear now when advice changes from green to amber. “We foresee increased confusion. And what will be the impact on a destination if advice changes after people book and they think: ‘Do I want to go?’” The review comes as families of 16 of the 30 British holidaymakers killed in the beach massacre in Sousse last June question the role of Tui and other companies in marketing holidays to Tunisia.
staff, including a senior executive, ready to deal with an unfolding emergency to make operational decisions, authorise expenditure, communicate with resort staff and deal with legal, IT and media issues, and a separate team to run the business. Profit chairman Barry Gooch said travel companies “still have work to do” to ensure they are as prepared as they could be. › Special Report, page 10
Legal papers submitted on
behalf of the families to an inquest into the deaths accuse Tui of ignoring security warnings, ‘enticing’ holidaymakers with cheap offers and deterring people from cancelling by refusing refunds. They also suggest that updated
FCO advice was not mentioned on Tui’s website, in its brochures or on booking forms. The victims’ families claim Tui
offered 40% discounts on Sousse holidays, despite concerns following the terrorist attack on the Bardo museum in Tunis in March 2015. At a pre-inquest hearing at the
High Court, Tui’s lawyers said the firm did not accept claims about its pricing policy or that it was obliged to carry FCO advice on its site. The full inquest is not expected to begin until January.
PICTURE: AFP PHOTO/FETHI BELAID
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