p5 news July10 8/7/09 19:37 Page 5
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news
In brief
■ Miles Travel collapse ‘heralds spate of failures’
Agency boss calls
Accountancy firm PricewaterhouseCoopers has
warned this week’s failure of Miles Travel signals
torrid times for the industry. The Kent travel
agent, which had been running for 40 years, was
unable to meet its future liabilities, Abta said.
PwC insolvency partner Ian Oakley-Smith warned
for race equality
there could be a spate of insolvencies in Septem-
ber, adding: “It is easy to believe a business is
cash-rich when, in reality, a lack of bookings can
Martin Ferguson.
think racism was a problem in the
catch up with cashflows very quickly.” SENIOR jobs in travel elude black travel industry. But she admitted
workers, according to an agency there may be a level of under-
■ Abta highlights convention discount deadline boss who has called for a similar representation at board level.
Abta has reminded members they have just one focus on race equality as there has “I don’t think discrimination
week to take up a £60 early-booking discount for been for gender. enters into the equation,” she said.
a place at this year’s Travel Convention. The offer Travelshop365.com’s Robert “I suspect individuals do not
runs until Friday, July 17, for the convention in Campbell (pictured) claimed that put themselves forward for roles
Barcelona on October 6-8. Abta also urged the plight of women had received a relevant to their skills.
delegates to save money on air fares by booking disproportionately high profile compared with “Compared with men, women are under-
early, saying board member Daniele Broccoli had that of black employees. represented. It’s not discrimination, just a lack of
booked a return flight for £60. He told TTG he felt compelled to speak out female role models and a lack of flexibility in the
Travel Convention preview, page 12 following Cherie Blair’s claim at the recent ITT workplace for working mothers.”
conference in Dubai that company boards lack Amanda Matthews, managing director of
■ Hays signs flights deal with Holiday Team female representation. Designer Travel, also thought the problem was
Hays Travel has agreed a commercial deal with Campbell said he was “annoyed” at the not down to discrimination.
consolidator The Holiday Team that allows agents constant focus on women while there was “no “I’ve never seen or heard of any discrimination
to set their own mark-up. The deal means Hays discussion” about ethnic groups. against women or black people. It’s always been
Travel will have access to net rates, giving agents “There are black shop managers and consult- the best person for the job,” she said.
the flexibility to set their own commission levels. ants but nothing more senior,” he said. A recent government labour force survey
“The relentless campaigns for women seem to found there were 600 ethnic minority travel
■ Minerva to sail charter in spring 2010 work but if I mention the lack of black senior agency managers out of an estimated 6,000.
Swan Hellenic parent All Leisure Group has workers, people say I’ve a chip on my shoulder.” An Abta spokesman said: “Our members
withdrawn all cruises on the brand’s only ship, Tricia Handley, chairman of the Association of should never discriminate against anyone at any
Minerva, between January 30 and April 7, 2010, Women Travel Executives UK, said she did not level because of age, race or religion.”
after agreeing a full-ship charter. Passengers
already booked have been offered a free transfer
to another cruise or a full refund if they cancel.
■ Bug-hit Marco Polo’s owners face legal threat
Transocean Tours of Bremen faces legal action
after failing to declare the outbreak of a vomiting
bug aboard its Marco Polo ship before it set sail
on a UK cruise last weekend. As TTG went to
press, the ship was berthed in Invergordon after
more than a third of the 1,000 passengers and
crew were struck down with suspected norovirus.
■ Face of Travel 2009 finalists
You voted for them and now we have
our 16 finalists for this year’s TTG
Face of Travel competition, in
association with Celebrity Cruises.
Did your favourite get through?
Find out at
faceoftravel.co.uk AT HOME WITH HAYS: The Hays Travel annual summer garden party took place last
week at managing director John Hays’ home in Whitburn, near Sunderland. More than
ttglive.com
For the latest news, reviews and comment
300 staff attended, where they enjoyed Pimms and champagne, as well as a live band
from the travel industry, visit
ttglive.com and entertainment from Galaxy Radio’s breakfast show team. More pictures at
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10.07.2009 05
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