p2 Contents Oct30 28/10/09 21:25 Page 2
Government’s APD
rethink falls short of
news
full review required
WHEN TTG launched its Fair Fares campaign in
January against changes in APD, we particularly
highlighted the way the Caribbean would be affected.
So it felt like something of a success when Lord
Myners this week suggested the government would
look at a solution to this problem.
But in reality the Caribbean’s concerns were just
one unwelcome aspect of the new regime around
this week
which we felt we could build a persuasive campaign
to force a total rethink of APD.
As easyJet said this week in national newspaper
advertising, the new APD regime – which starts on
Sunday and is due to as much as double by 2010 –
is fundamentally flawed.
And, as ever, it is that most precious political
entity, “the ordinary, hardworking British family”,
that will be hardest hit.
In the same week that we were all told by
BA adds spice to Vegas party
a leading climate scientist that our penchant for Former Spice Girl Mel B was a guest of honour at the British Airways Las Vegas
meat is killing the planet, air travelling habits came launch party last week, hosted by the Mayor of Las Vegas, Oscar B Goodman.
under attack. The party took place at the exclusive Studio Valbonne nightspot to celebrate
It is another example of environmental taxes the launch of BA’s new service from Heathrow to Las Vegas.
being used to punish the end user for their choices
to force a more sustainable approach from business. Economy. Trade activity.
EasyJet has called for a tax based on emissions Cash reserves not enough p4 New England courts UK p14
and this surely has to be the answer. Travel companies have been New England tourism bosses are
warned not to expect their cash increasing their trade activity to
Take advice, but don’t bank on it reserves to help them survive the capitalise on publicity generated
There was an interesting exchange at the start of recession by the visit of its American football
Travel Republic’s defence last week against CAA team to London
charges that it broke Atol rules. Court report.
It centred on legal advice the retailer claimed CAA v Travel Republic p6 Air.
to have that endorsed the way it traded which, Travel Republic’s Kane Pirie was BA/Iberia merger doubt p20
when mentioned, prompted an immediate interven- treated as if he were accused of Iberia’s plan to save €37 million
tion from the prosecution. crimes as bad as those of disgraced by restructuring its operations
The prosecution’s argument was that US financier Bernie Madoff, a court has made a merger between the
boss Kane Pirie could not simply rely on heard this week. The judge will Spanish flag-carrier and British
the substance of this advice in court. give his verdict in two weeks’ time Airways highly unlikely,
Legal advice is just that, advice, which analysts believe
directors choose to take or ignore Cruise.
but which does not absolve them Cruise.co.uk to expand p9 Operators.
of responsibility if they find UK cruise website Cruise.co.uk Cox & Kings’ agent focus p22
themselves in the dock. plans to expand into Europe after Escorted tour and tailor-made
Many travel firms take being named the best cruise travel specialist Cox & Kings has doubled
legal advice when drafting agent on the continent its trade marketing budget this
terms and conditions; this year and says it is placing greater
was a reminder of how Hays Conference. emphasis on agent training
despite that the buck ‘Downturn here to stay’ p10
stops with them. Britain is facing a “bathtub-shaped” REGULARS.
recession from which it will not Cruise p18
recover for a decade, Hays Travel Air p20
Lee Hayhurst News Editor boss John Hays warned at the Operators p22
group’s homeworkers’ conference Letters p24
02 30.10.2009
Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44  |  Page 45  |  Page 46  |  Page 47  |  Page 48  |  Page 49  |  Page 50  |  Page 51  |  Page 52  |  Page 53  |  Page 54  |  Page 55  |  Page 56  |  Page 57  |  Page 58  |  Page 59  |  Page 60  |  Page 61  |  Page 62  |  Page 63  |  Page 64  |  Page 65  |  Page 66  |  Page 67  |  Page 68