p9 news Nov13 11/11/09 19:10 Page 9
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BMI: We are not
in financial crisis
Youtravel ‘could
BMI was forced to issue a statement this week
insisting it was a going concern after a report
by The Times claimed it might not be able to
return’ to Abta
continue beyond next year.
The airline said its directors and auditors
Chris Gray.
Youtravel director Paul Riches said it had been
believed it would be able to meet its financial ACCOMMODATION-ONLY specialist Youtravel.com happy to be part of Abta until the new rules
obligations and had “adequate resources to has said it could return to Abta if the association were introduced without adequate consultation.
continue in operational existence in the future”. finds a way of providing cover for bed banks. “We need to find a way of ensuring money
It issued the statement after the report This week Youtravel became the third bed taken by agents is protected,” said Riches.
claimed BMI needed £190 million of extra fund- bank to quit Abta in protest over the associa- “We need to reach an answer that satisfies
ing by the end of October 2010. The report said tion’s new rules covering money collected by everybody, whether it is done by a credit card
Lufthansa had pledged £95 million and BMI agents. The rules make bed banks and other company, a bond or insurance.”
hoped to make up the rest by selling slots at suppliers liable for cash collected by agents even Group managing director Graham Nichols said
Heathrow, but its accountant Deloitte had warned if the agency has not passed it on. the ruling did not take into consideration the fact
of no guaranteed support from Lufthansa. Abta has agreed to meet bed banks on agents had individual and varied contracts with
December 3 to discuss a suggestion made by On the bed bank.
In brief
Holiday Group chief executive Steve Endacott “We find it an unacceptable risk to our busi-
that it should operate a trust fund. ness model to accept this new blanket ruling,
Youtravel said Abta’s “blanket ruling” posed preferring to rely on the contractual, commercial
■ Great Rail Journeys boss Kimber quits an “unacceptable risk” and took no account of and practical agreements that are in place. The
Great Rail Journeys managing director Steve the complexity of its relationships with agents. Abta protection of £100,000 per year is nothing
Kimber is leaving the firm after four years. He Abta chief Mark Tanzer said he regretted like enough to cover the risk,” said Nichols.
said Great Rail Journeys had come strongly Youtravel’s move, which followed resignations by Cosmos-owned somewhere2stay, which has
through the recession and bookings for 2010 Hotels4U and Medhotels, but said Abta talks with said it will remain an Abta member, is now the
were up 30% year-on-year. Kimber will retain Youtravel and other bed banks were continuing. only large bed bank in the association.
an interest in the business.
■ New Mexico sets out ecotourism target
New Mexico hopes the creation of the US’s first
Charity climb raises £12.5k
safari camps will help it become a world-leading
ecotourism destination. The state tourist board CRUISE.CO.UK chairman Andrew benefit of their experience from
has unveiled a programme featuring indigenous Gardner and his wife Mary have the first attempt.
culture, eco-volunteering and new low-impact raised £12,500 for charity after The £12,500 will go to Macmil-
tented camps built on tribal lands. braving high winds to get to lan Cancer support, which the
within 500 metres of the summit couple decided to help after a
■ Leger hides voucher prizes in 2010 brochures of Kilimanjaro. friend’s son was diagnosed with
Escorted coach operator Leger Holidays has The couple survived daytime stomach cancer aged 27 and
hidden £50 worth of shopping vouchers in 10 heat, night-time freezing cold, no died four years later.
copies of its 2010 brochure being distributed to sleep for five days and stomach Donations can still be made at
agents across the UK. upsets to trek to 5,300m, just four hours’ walking justgiving.com/andrewandmarykilimanjaro.
from the Tanzanian summit. Cruise.co.uk was named the world’s leading
■ P&O plans return to Alaska after 41 years Gardener said they hoped to return to the cruise agent at the World Travel Awards at the
P&O Cruises will sail to Alaska for the first time mountain to complete the climb, using the Grosvenor House Hotel in London on Sunday.
since 1970, with a 72-night Grand Alaska Voyage
departing April 12, 2011, visiting 29 ports of call.
Arcadia’s voyage, the only Alaskan cruise depart-
ing from the UK, will go on sale on December 1. Industry ‘icon’ Hoseason dies
■ Buckman appointed as Resorthoppa MD JAMES HOSEASON, who led Hoseasons Holidays the first company to try new ideas such as direct
Tim Buckman has been promoted within the for nearly half a century, has died aged 82. telephone bookings, computerised reservations
Lowcost Travel Group to be managing director for He took over the company from his father in and “dial-a-brochure” requests.
transfer firm Resorthoppa. Buckman, formerly 1950, when the business was based on hiring Hoseasons chief executive Richard Carrick
of Silverjet, joined the group in September. boats on the Norfolk Broads, and ran the said: “Jim was an icon of the UK tourism industry
operation until he retired in 1999. who will be remembered with affection and
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During the following decades, he added respect by all those who worked with him, many
from the travel industry, visit ttglive.com holiday parks and cottages and made Hoseasons of whom are still with the company today.”
13.11.2009 09
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