Travel News February 2018
on data protection Less than four months to deadline
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ITH less than four months to go until the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) comes into force, ABTA has reiterated that travel companies must begin preparations to meet the new regulations, if they haven’t already done so.
From May 25 this year, the GDPR will affect how businesses collect, use, manage and store their customers’ and employees’ personal data. Many travel companies will already have processes and systems in place that go a long way towards compliance with the new rules. However, some things will change. The GDPR will require businesses to be more accountable, and have clearer and more robust processes in place when handling personal data relating to customers, staff and others whose personal data they deal with. This is particularly important for the travel industry where there are often multiple uses for data and multiple channels for collecting it too. Similarly, travel companies collect and share customer information with suppliers, often overseas, for booking purposes, so it’s vital that businesses must review the contracts they have in place with third-party suppliers. ABTA says that if they haven’t already done so, businesses need to get started with the following three steps as soon as possible: perform a Review, understand the Requirements and collate Relevant records. 1. Review
First and foremost, businesses need to carry out a full audit of the data they hold and how they handle it – including how it’s collected, what it is used for and how it is stored securely. ABTA has produced a data protection audit spreadsheet with guidance which can help Members in their preparations for the GDPR. 2. Requirements
Next, they need to understand if their procedures for acquiring and processing data are robust enough to meet the more rigorous requirements of the GDPR. Businesses need to consider what the legal basis is for processing relevant sets of data, as they will only be able to process personal data if it adheres to one of six lawful bases, such as the fact that the processing is necessary for the performance of a contract with the data subject. More information about each of the bases are on the ICO website. 3. Relevant records
Businesses need to update their privacy statements in order to be completely transparent with customers about how they use their data. They need to clearly
New winter ski option: Spain’s Sierra Nevada
TRAVEL Solutions, Northern Ireland’s leading tour operator, today unveiled their new winter ski destination – the magnificent Sierra Nevada in southern Spain.
Making the announcement, the company's Managing Director, Peter McMinn, stated: “ On the back of a very successful and growing Balkan Ski product, we felt the time was right to introduce a new ski destination.
"After considering a number of European resorts , we decided on Sierra Nevada as it offers a great range of ski options, fantastic accommodation and the convenience of Malaga with direct flights from Belfast”.
He continued: “ We had planned to launch the new product for the 2018/19 ski season, but with conditions so good in the resort at this time we decided to offer a ‘taster’ departure in April. We knew that this new destination would be a great hit with our customers, but even we are surprised at the initial response from our agency partners and customers. It’s already clear that we are on to another winning ski destination”. Travel Solutions ski holidays to Sierra Nevada will operate from Belfast from December 18 to April 19 and prices will include flights, accommodation and ski packs, including lessons from English speaking instructors. As an introductory offer to the resort the company has a escorted departure in April 2018.
Travel companies must meet new law
inform individuals about the purposes of processing their data and what will happen to their data, and bear in mind all the additional details required under the GDPR.
Non-compliance with the new laws could result in fines of up to £17,000,000, or four per cent f annual turnover, as well as having other business impacts such a ]loss of goodwill, employee trust and negative publicity.
Simon Bunce, Director of Legal Affairs said: “The GDPR is an evolution in the way that data is protected, rather than a revolution. The biggest priority now is knowing what GDPR means for their businesses and having the organisational capacity to start making changes in time for its introduction in May. “We can expect everyone to demand higher levels of security and compliance following the introduction of the law and any perceived weakness in this area will damage trust. ABTA has been helping Members prepare for the GDPR since Autumn 2016, raising awareness at regional meetings, developing dedicated events and creating materials which explain what steps they should be taking.
“We have also been pointing people to the ICO’s ‘12 steps to take’ guidance document.”
ABTA will be holding a number of one-day seminars on regulatory changes occurring in 2018, which will include the GDPR, throughout the coming months. In addition to this, ABTA’s Travel Law Seminar in May will provide the essential legal update for the travel industry across a 2-day event. Visit
abta.com/events for more information.
ABTA has resources to help guide Members on specific aspects of the new law available on its Member Zone. ABTA is also signposting Members to information within the ICO’s ‘12 steps to take guidance’. It’s likely that the final Package Travel Regulations will be published in May – less than two months before they are due to come into force in July.
Goodwill Ambassador Liam Neeson pictured with Aer Lingus cabin crew in Dublin recently
Goodwill Ambassador Liam says thanks to Aer Lingus cabin crew
AER Lingus cabin crew recently received the ultimate recognition for their on-board fundraising achievements from UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador Liam Neeson at a private event in the Shelbourne Hotel, Dublin.
Actor Liam Neeson, an Ambassador for the global child rights organisation since 1997, spent the afternoon with seven Aer Lingus cabin crew, named as UNICEF Ambassadors, thanking them for their work in raising €1 million for UNICEF in 2017 through the airline’s ‘Change for Good’ initiative.
In a special video message to Aer Lingus guests Liam explains: “This year alone Aer Lingus raised €1 million, helping children through on-board donations for war-torn Syria as well as Nigeria, Somalia and Yemen, which were ravaged by famine and most- recently children displaced by the Rohingya crisis who had to flee their homes in Myanmar.
“A special thanks to all Aer Lingus guests. It’s with thanks to your generous donations UNICEF has been able to make a big difference to change children’s lives for the better.”
‘Change for Good’ is Aer Lingus cabin crew’s in- flight collection of unwanted foreign notes and coins on
all long-haul flights, which supports UNICEF's global mission for children in over 150 of the world's poorest countries and territories. Since 1997, UNICEF has received €21 million from Aer Lingus for vulnerable children everywhere.
UNICEF Ambassador and Aer Lingus cabin crew member Sandra Sheehan commented: “We at Aer Lingus are extremely proud of our work with UNICEF. Spending time with Liam Neeson, sharing our pictures and experiences and discussing the importance of our work was a very special moment for us all.
“His role as a global UNICEF ambassador is inspirational. He has seen first-hand from his field-trips the positive impact that the loose change and notes that we collect on-board Aer Lingus flights can have on the lives of children worldwide.”
“On behalf of Aer Lingus cabin crew and UNICEF Goodwill Ambassadors, I would like to thank every single Aer Lingus guest who has donated to us on- board. We look forward to continuing our relationship with UNICEF in 2018 and are committed to helping create a safer, better environment for children worldwide.”
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