p9 News Feb 6 4/2/09 21:11 Page 9
ttglive.com
travel gives back news
Leading travel firms
join Fair Fares fight
Chris Gray.
choose alternative destinations, and possibly
THE CO-OPERATIVE Travel, Aito and Somak choose not to travel long-haul at all,” he said.
Holidays are the latest recruits to TTG’s Fair “In these difficult economic circum-
Fares campaign. stances, this could lead to more job
More than 600 supporters have now signed losses in the UK tourism industry,
our Downing Street petition to stop Air Passen- and would be devastating for
ger Duty unfairly hitting countries that depend Caribbean tourism.
on tourism. “The decision to base the
Top bosses from The Co-operative Travel charges on the distances between Signing up to TTG’s Fair Fares: (clockwise from
signed the petition this week and are urging staff the capital cities of the countries left) Co-operative Travel managing director
to follow suit to send a message to Whitehall that people are flying from and to is Mike Greenacre, distribution director Alistair
proposed changes to the tax must be stopped. clearly ludicrous. Everyone at The Rowland, head of marketing Ruth Evans, senior analyst
Managing director Mike Greenacre said he Co-operative Travel has given their support Stephen Eccles, senior commercial manager Julie Gibson
hoped Co-op staff would help make “considerable to TTG’s Fair Fares campaign.” and specialist retail managing director Neil Braithwaite
changes” to an “ill-thought through tax”. Aito chairman Derek Moore said the entire
The planned new rates of APD, due to come in structure of APD was flawed, and that one of its Caribbean and Kenya. They are far less able to
in November 2010, would see a family of four worst aspects was the impact on developing cope with a drop in tourists than more developed
flying to Hawaii paying £480 in duty, but one countries. The countries that were facing big countries that have other industries,” he said.
going to Antigua £600 – even though Antigua is increases in the new APD were developing Somak marketing manager Louise Newton
3,150 miles closer to London. economies that had little alternative sources of said recession meant customers were looking
“If a family of four has to pay over £600 in income other than tourism, he said. for value, and that higher taxes could put them
APD to travel to Barbados in 2010, families will “Tourism is the primary income for the off a destination.
How you can help: Sign our petition at http://petitions.number10.gov.uk/APDtax
APD threat to Kenya’s recovery
Flybe crew raise
BOOKINGS to Kenya so far this year are back to making any money on their savings so there is funds for cancer
the levels of 2007 – the most successful year for nothing to stop them spending it,” she said
overseas visitors, according to Somak Holidays. Newton also reported an increase in the CABIN crew on all
Demand had recovered from the collapse in number of customers upgrading on Kenya 300 Flybe flights
tourism triggered by last January’s political Airways flights to Kenya. this week helped
violence, helped by an increase in free add-ons, Referring to the proposed APD rate to Kenya, raise money for
said marketing manager Louise Newton. Newton said: “We feel disappointed that an Cancer Research
She said Somak had persuaded suppliers to exception cannot be made for Nairobi, which is UK to support
offer a raft of free extras, such as hot-air balloon just over the 4,000-mile barrier from London. World Cancer day.
rides, safari nights, bush breakfasts and evening “In a difficult trading period, no one needs As well as crew
dinners, that had helped make Kenya better more pressure, and the figures and bands seem members asking
value compared with other destinations. arbitrary. We would like to know exactly how passengers to do-
The market had also moved away from mass- these parameters are set, and who, in the end, nate, Flybe staff
market charters to more upmarket tailor-made benefits from this duty.” helped by taking part in sponsored events,
tours using scheduled flights to Nairobi. quizzes and dress-down events.
“Bookings are becoming later but when ■ Kenya Airways has donated a high-frequency Mike Rutter, the airline’s chief commercial
people do book they are spending their money radio system worth £1,700 to the Kenya officer, said: “Cancer is a disease that touches
and not cutting back,” said Newton. Tourist Federation. It will enable the all of us and Flybe is proud to be working with
“The 60-70 age group are probably the least federation to contact tourist vans inside Cancer Research UK in a long-term fundraising
affected by the credit crunch and they are not Kenya’s national parks, increasing safety partnership.”
06.02.2009 09
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