p2 contents Apr17 15/4/09 20:45 Page 2
Fair Fares also calls
for a balanced view
news
on global warming
A FEW weeks ago a contributor commented on a
story on ttglive.com about our Fair Fares campaign
opposing planned changes to APD.
He said: “What does TTG think is a fair way to tax
activities that damage the environment and use up
the earth’s finite resources?
“Oil won’t last for ever. How will travellers go to
Kenya and the Caribbean then?”
this week
The implication of this challenge was clear: if you
work in travel – and if you’re reading this the chances
are you do – you are a willing participant in causing
climatic change many believe will be catastrophic.
TTG is not ignoring this view. But what we are
calling for is a fairness often lacking in those who
single out travel for its role in global warming.
As protesters prepare for a summer of disruptive
Travel Gives Back. . .in India
campaigns against high-profile targets in the UK – Tui Travel managing director Dermot Blastland visited a Climate Care project
no doubt including travel – we’d love to see a in India which is part-funded by contributions from the company and its
balanced debate. customers. The visit had such an impact on the travel boss that he suggested
This should focus on the relative harm the it could inspire a new Thomson winter programme to India. p12
aviation industry does, in relation to the many good
things associated with it, tourism being one of many. Bonding. will be offered an option to attend
One thing that surely is not fair is a tax on a Iata relents demands p4 a separate cruise event
perfectly legitimate activity under the guise of it Iata has caved into pressure from
being a green tax and then the money being used to travel firms following complaints City & finance.
fill Treasury black holes. and a court case challenging its We are still in a recession p14
Oil is finite and will run out, but it won’t be demands for multimillion-pound Chris Photi disagrees with Peter
governments or environmentalists who develop its bonds Long’s view that we are emerging
successor; that’s more likely to be industry, possibly from the recession, citing the weak
the aviation industry. Protests. pound, stagnating house prices
Adding to that sector’s tax burden risks blunting Thailand demos warning p5 and a 20% drop in holiday sales
its ability to invest in the research required to do so. Thailand could see further
This week the leader of the Green Party was outbreaks of violent protest until Hotels.
quoted as saying those who fly to Spain on it resolves its underlying political IHG boss praises agents p22
holiday are engaging in an activity as problems, Aito has warned The internet will never replace
“irresponsible” as those who stab people. travel agents, according to the
The worry for our industry is that this Flights. European head of InterContinental
sort of view is increasingly not considered Gatwick capacity drop p6 Hotels Group
to be the hysterical rantings of an Gatwick has lost nearly half a
extremist. million seats in the last year as Business travel.
Whatever humans do, there’s a airlines cut frequencies and routes Don’t panic over UBS ban p26
cost. So it’s all about weighing A partial travel ban by UBS, one
up the benefits and the draw- Abta. of the world’s largest banks, is
backs. And we believe the Regional meetings revival? p7 no reason for agencies to panic,
new APD gets that balance Abta is facing pressure to revive according to a leading figure in
badly wrong. regional meetings after agents the UK business travel industry
If you agree, please sign bidding for board election pledged
our petition, by April 19, at: to fight for meetings to be reinstated SECTORS.
petitions.number10.gov.uk/APDtax Cruise p18
Travel Convention. Operators p20
Abta adds cruise forum p9 Hotels & resorts p22
Lee Hayhurst News Editor Travel agents attending this year’s Air p24
Travel Convention in Barcelona Business travel p26
02 17.04.2009
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