June 2022 Travel News Northern Ireland Tourism Alliance Appoint New Chair


Scenic Group Trade Sale Teams Grows with New Appointment


The Scenic Group, which includes Scenic Luxury


Cruises & Tours and Emerald Cruises, has appointed Louise Tansey as sales manager – central region, to further support its trusted agent partners. Following a huge increase in sales through agents this year, the Scenic Group continues to invest in providing the support and tools that agents require to sell their products. Joining the newly restructured dedicated trade sales and marketing team of 10, Tansey takes on responsibility for the agent sales functions for the central UK region. Tansey, who commenced her role on 3rd May, reports directly to the recently appointed director of trade sales, Andrea Stafford.


Judith Owens MBE has been appointed as newest NITA chairperson


HE Northern Ireland Tourism Alliance (NITA), have today (10 May) announced the appointment of Judith Owens MBE, Chief Executive of TBL International as the new chairperson of NITA. Judith was a founding member of NITA and has served on the board since 2018.


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With experience spanning nearly three decades, unrivalled knowledge of the tourism and events industry and an exceptional track record, Judith’s leadership, commitment and expertise has seen Titanic Belfast go from strength to strength, welcoming over 6.5 million visitors from 145 countries, winning ‘World’s Leading Tourist Attraction’ at the World Travel Awards and seeing the attraction contribute £430m in additional spend back into the NI economy to date. Judith is passionate about inclusive tourism and its importance to the economy and society and outside of her position at TBL International, Judith is an inspirational ambassador in promoting tourism as a force for good bringing economic and societal benefits across Northern Ireland. Her ethos of nurturing people and talent led to her being a founder member of the Hospitality and Tourism Skills (HATS) network, set up to attract and retain talent in the sector. Judith works with charities such as Autism NI, Royal National


WTTC Reveal Details of Upcoming Global Summit AT the closing session of its Global Summit in Manila


, the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) announced that its 22nd event will take place in Riyadh, capital of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, from 29th November to 2nd December this year. In Manila, more than a thousand delegates, including the world’s foremost business leaders, government ministers and key decision-makers from across the global Travel & Tourism sector gathered together, to discuss how to build upon the continuing recovery. British adventurer Bear Grylls was the conference keynote, alongside other major speakers, including American film producer Lawrence Bender, Singapore- born American novelist and writer of satirical novels Kevin Kwan and Indonesian/Dutch environmental activist Melati Wijsen.


In her farewell address Julia Simpson, WTTC President & CEO, said: “It has been a privilege to bring together so many leaders from across the global Travel & Tourism sector to the beautiful city of Manila. “This Summit is living proof that nothing beats getting together, sharing ideas, debating the challenges, and finding consensus.


“We still have a lot of work to do to bring down post- pandemic barriers, open economies and harmonise health data for seamless travel. But the future looks bright, and the next decade is there for the taking. “We look forward to our 22nd Global Summit later this year in Riyadh, in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, to mark the next chapter in the sector’s ongoing recovery.” Fahd Hamidaddin, CEO and Board Member of


the Saudi Tourism Authority said “We are excited to welcome the world to experience the excitement and the energy of Saudi. We promise you that the next summit will be fresh, inspiring, and rewarding.”


Under the theme of ‘Rediscovering Travel’, tourism ministers and Travel & Tourism leaders from around the world reinforced their determination towards greater cooperation and alignment between the public and private sectors.


At WTTC’s Global Leaders Dialogue session


they explored how the sector will continue to adapt to COVID-19 and emerge resiliently from the pandemic. WTTC’s latest Economic Impact Report also revealed the Travel & Tourism sector was expected to create nearly 126 million new jobs within the next decade and Travel & Tourism’s contribution to GDP could reach pre-pandemic levels by 2023.


Institute of Blind People and NOW Group to ensure tourism venues are inclusive to all, including minority and community groups. Welcoming her appointment, Judith said “It is a


privilege to be appointed as the incoming Chair of NITA, particularly at such a pivotal time for the industry and wider society. Tourism in Northern Ireland is something I am incredibly passionate about and have been involved with NITA since its conception. I am delighted to have the opportunity to continue building on the exemplary work undertaken by our outgoing Chair Brenda Morgan MBE and look forward to working with our board and members to help shape future development of the industry.”


Joanne Stuart OBE, Chief Executive of NITA


said “We are extremely grateful to our outgoing Chair, Brenda Morgan MBE, for her inspirational leadership over the past 4 years. Brenda was instrumental in the establishment of NITA and has led the development of the organisation as the recognised ‘Voice for Tourism’. Her leadership saw us through the darkest days of the Covid-19 pandemic when NITA played a pivotal role to get support for the industry. We are confident that as she hands over the leadership to Judith Owens, NITA will continue to go from strength to strength providing a strong voice for tourism as the industry moves forward.


Registrations Open for ABTA’s 2022 Travel Convention


Delegates are encouraged to register now for this year’s ABTA Travel Convention to take advantage of discounted Early Bird fees.


Taking place in Marrakech from 10-12 October,


this year’s event sees a return overseas and will offer a programme of high-level business sessions delivered by industry leaders and external experts, a host of networking opportunities in both business and social settings, and the chance to experience the diverse and culturally rich host city though full and half-day excursions. Most delegates will stay at the centrally located


five-star Mövenpick Hotel Mansour Eddahbi, just a 15-minute drive from Marrakech Menara Airport, with fantastic facilities including three restaurants, a bar, a spa and wellbeing centre, a yoga studio, vibrant gardens and three swimming pools. The Mövenpick Hotel will also host an ABTA Members’ Reception on the evening of Monday 10 October and is connected to The Palais des Congres Marrakech, where the business sessions will be held on Tuesday 11 and Wednesday 12 October.


Early Bird fees are £600 for ABTA Members and


the first ABTA Partner to register, and £700 for other Partners and non-Members. Delegate companions will pay a fee of £200. Mark Tanzer, Chief Executive at ABTA – The Travel Association said “This year’s Convention will be the first hosted overseas since the start of the pandemic, so it is a momentous occasion for ABTA, our Members and our Partners. Delegates can currently take advantage of Early Bird fees, giving a chance to experience an excellent Travel Convention in stunning Marrakech at reduced rates.”


Jamal Kilito, Director for UK, Ireland and the Nordics, Moroccan National Tourism Office (MNTO) said “ABTA and MNTO are working in close collaboration to make this year’s Travel Convention in Marrakech an exceptional success. We are very much looking forward to welcoming all delegates to Morocco, the Kingdom of Light.” The 2022 Travel Convention is supported by headline partners Royal Caribbean International, Intrepid Travel and Avis Budget Group, plus trade media partner Travel Weekly.


Having held both business development and national sales positions at Bourne Leisure Limited for over 14 years, Tansey moved to Biblio Travel as sales manager last year. She progressed to trade sales manager at Vertical Travel Group where she was responsible for increasing and developing in-house sales across multiple homeworking divisions for Amathus Holidays and Instant Breaks. She brings an incredible wealth of knowledge and experience in travel industry trade sales. Of the appointment, Tansey commented: “I’m really looking forward to hitting the ground running in my new role at such a dynamic business. We have so many exciting opportunities for agents in the pipeline and I can’t wait to share these with agents in the central region and help them to fulfil their potential.” The appointment comes following the news that the group has doubled the size of its agency support team, including the recent promotion of national sales key account manager, Wendi Hardy.


ETIHAD Airways is undertaking a week of intensive in an expansion of


research and testing on over 30 flights to test operational efficiencies, technology and procedures that will reduce carbon emissions,


its ongoing sustainability flight testing regime. The week-long programme, coinciding with Earth


Day on 22 April, includes over 20 commercial flights operating across Etihad’s network to test contrail avoidance technologies in partnership with SATAVIA, a UK-based green aerospace company. The airline will also operate up to 13 dedicated ‘EcoFlights’ testing a range of flight and engine optimisation initiatives, with successful trials to be incorporated into regular scheduled operations. Each of these flight tests will be operated on Etihad’s fleet of fuel-efficient A350 and 787 aircraft, spearheaded by the ‘Etihad Greenliner’, and Etihad’s newest aircraft, the ‘Sustainable 50’. Tony Douglas, Group Chief Executive Officer, Etihad Aviation Group, said “Etihad has demonstrated its commitment to sustainability over the last three years, leading the industry through real world testing and application of technology and processes that provide incremental environmental benefit every time we fly. The tests we’re conducting this week are just the latest initiatives


in our long running and comprehensive


sustainability programme, because for us, sustainability is a priority every day, not just once a year when it’s convenient and expected. The results we develop will add to the body of work and knowledge base we’ve built to support the aviation industry on its journey to decarbonisation.”


The bulk of tests conducted over the week are part of a year-long partnership with SATAVIA to enable contrail prevention, integrating atmospheric modelling with operational flight planning to prevent contrail formation. Aircraft contrails, or condensation trails, are clouds made up of aircraft-generated ice crystals, which cause a net surface heating effect globally by trapping atmospheric heat. Contrails cause up to 60% of aviation’s total climate impact, the equivalent to two percent of all human impact.


Dr Adam Durant, CEO of SATAVIA, said “Our understanding of contrails rests on decades of atmospheric science, which can now be combined with high-performance computer modelling to identify contrail formation zones and optimize flight plans for contrail prevention. Following these tests, we will work with Etihad to quantify the climate benefit arising from contrail prevention on a flight-by-flight basis. This will lay the groundwork for future conversion into tradable carbon credits incentivising widespread adoption of


TRADE NEWS 35


Hurtigruten Appoint New UK Trade Partnerships Manager


Hurtigruten has today (9 May) announced


the appointment of James Howlett as UK Trade Partnerships Manager. Howlett will play a significant role by using his vast experience and relationships with UK trade to build support for trade partners throughout the UK. Working across both the Expeditions and Coastal Express brands, Howlett will be responsible for generating new opportunities and awareness of the Hurtigruten offering and will report directly to Head of UK Sales, Mark Walter.


Following a short spell outside of the travel sector, this role will mark Howlett’s return to the industry. With previous experience, including Fred Holidays, Uniworld Boutique River Cruise Collection and Collette, Howlett will bring his knowledge and tenacity to his new role.


Mark Walter, Head of UK Sales, said “We are delighted James is joining the team. It’s an incredibly exciting time as we grow and build the Hurtigruten brand amongst the UK travel trade. His wealth of experience and commercial understanding will be a great asset to us.”


Howlett’s appointment comes as Natalie Holder leaves the business to pursue a new opportunity. “We are really sad that Natalie is leaving us. She has been incredible, especially during the last two years, and her hard work has paid off, and she has been rewarded with a wonderful opportunity she richly deserves. We wish her well and our sincere thanks.” Walter added. James Howlett will take up his new post at the Hurtigruten office in London on Monday 9th May 2022.


Etihad Airways Expand Sustainability Testing Regime


contrail prevention across the aviation sector.” In contrast to many green aerospace initiatives, contrail prevention is a software solution that can be implemented in the near-term through technical integration with flight operations.


“By working with SATAVIA to implement contrail prevention in day-to-day activity, Etihad is taking the lead on an important issue facing the entire industry,” said Douglas. “We have to think about aviation’s indirect, non-CO2 effects as well as direct climate impacts, and contrail prevention is the key to making swift progress in this field.” In addition to contrail avoidance R&D flight tests, Etihad will operate up to 13 dedicated EcoFlights, following six previous sustainability focused operations since 2019, including the EY20 Sustainable Flight from London to Abu Dhabi in October last year, which reduced carbon emissions by 72% compared to a similar flight in 2019. These flights will further test and trial operational initiatives to evaluate and confirm learnings from past ecoFlights for flight path optimisation, including optimised climb and continuous descent, optimal departure runway, last minute engine start-up, single engine taxi procedures network wide and fight deck technology solutions. In parallel to the research and testing flights, Etihad


is also publishing its first Sustainability Report. To be released on Earth Day 2022, this publicly-available report documents the previous two years of the airline’s sustainability efforts – from ground-based electric tractors, to airspace efficiency improvements, and even to experimental test-flying with NASA and Boeing. With two years of progress towards reducing the impact on the planet from its operations, Etihad is well on the way to achieving the ambitious sustainability commitments. In January 2019, Etihad announced its goal of achieving net zero emissions by 2050 and halving net emission levels by 2035. It has since gone on to form the industry’s most comprehensive, cross organisational aviation sustainability initiative, spearheaded by its Greenliner and Sustainable50 programmes in partnership with Boeing, Airbus, GE and Rolls Royce.


Through these programmes, and Etihad’s ongoing research and testing initiatives such as EcoFlights, Etihad encourages and invites partners from across the aviation sector to join and test sustainability initiatives on scheduled 787 and A350 operations. The results are then processed and validated, with the most sustainable initiatives used as a base for improving the performance of the global airline community.


Etihad Airways Continue Sustainability Journey


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