NEWS ROUND-UP
COMMENT: “Brexit? The irony is that the bigger regulatory problem lies with the UK government, not Brussels” Noel Josephides, page 30
IN THE PICTURE: QM2 sparkles
Cunard’s new UK boss is looking at ways to ensure more agents can experience the line’s ships. Speaking at the relaunch of Queen Mary 2 following
an extensive £90 million “remastering”, senior vice- president Simon Palethorpe said: “I’m looking at the ways we can ensure more agents and anybody involved in the promotion of this brand can experience it.” David Noyes, boss of Carnival UK, said he expected
a “surge in sales” following the refresh of QM2. He told the 40 agents attending a celebration event in Southampton “to be ready” for more interest in the ship. Pictured, from left, are Nathaniel Sherborne, P&O Cruises; Felicity Walker and Juliet Barrett, both Tui; and Dave Mills, Iglu Cruise.
US warns of huge fallout if visa waiver scheme axed
Robin Searle at IPW 2016, New Orleans
Industry leaders have urged politicians in the US and Europe to reject “ill-informed” calls to postpone or permanently cancel the visa-waiver programme that facilitates transatlantic travel.
Data is due to be presented this
week on the potential economic impact were the scheme to collapse. It is currently under threat amid concerns over security and the fact that five EU countries, including Bulgaria, Cyprus and Poland, do not qualify. Speaking at the IPW conference
in New Orleans last week, US Travel Association chief executive Roger Dow and WTTC chief executive David Scowsill warned the implications of changing the system would be “enormous”. Repeating calls for collaboration
voiced at the WTTC Summit in Dallas in April, Dow insisted the programme and other pre-entry schemes had massive economic benefits and improved security.
VISA WAIVER: The US scheme is under review amid security concerns 18%
Upturn in UK visitors to the US last year
Noting a July 14 deadline for
a decision, Scowsill added: “The visa waiver programme is at risk. The implications of changing it are enormous, both economically and on freedom to travel.” The calls came as figures showed UK visitor numbers to the US
12
travelweekly.co.uk 30 June 2016
leapt 18% to 4.9 million in 2015, although currency fluctuations led to a 7% downturn in spending. Pressure on spending will be
exacerbated by the fall in the value of the pound following last week’s EU referendum, with concerns raised that a weak pound will deter customers from visiting the US. Speaking before the
referendum, Brand USA chief executive Chris Thompson said: “Currency exchange is a headwind that we have to be cognisant of,
but the UK is a real positive for us.” › IPW: News You Can Use, page 28
NEWS IN BRIEF Darbandi and Flintham
join the board at Abta Abta has appointed new board members from Tui Group and Thomas Cook. Kathryn Darbandi, director of retail and customer experience at Thomas Cook, and Andrew Flintham, commercial director at Tui UK and Ireland, join on July 1.
Carnival UK and Costa merge operations teams
Carnival UK is combining its ship operations and technical departments in a single setup in Hamburg with sister firm Costa Group. The move will affect up to 50 people based in Southampton.
POLL
Did the build-up to the EU referendum dampen bookings?
27% 73%
Yes No
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