st week’s conference, but airports, APD and security remain key issues. Ian Taylor reports
Regulations ‘must be enforced on firms like Airbnb’
Abta called for “proper enforcement of regulation” on businesses in the sector, including the likes of Airbnb.
Chief executive Mark Tanzer told
the Travel Matters conference: “It is not regulation that is the problem – it is regulations that are badly enforced, so the good guys play by the rules and the bad guys don’t.” He said: “I would make a
plea for proper enforcement of regulations.” However, he suggested this
would be more difficult as a result of cuts in Whitehall, saying: “We’ve seen the Department for Business radically weakened in numbers.” In April the government
revealed that the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills, which will oversee the new Package Travel Regulations, is poised to lose 4,000 staff. Tanzer added: “Overcrowding
in key destinations is becoming a pressing issue. Without controls,
“It is not regulation that is the problem – it is regulations that are badly enforced”
we know tourism can kill tourism. “At some point we have to start
developing mechanisms to manage tourism. By its nature, travel needs regulating and it needs co-operation between countries.” Referring to the development of accommodation-listing platforms such as Airbnb, he noted: “New York is taking action to regulate apartment lettings on Airbnb. “City centre areas need
regulation. Hotels need licences, and other areas need to be addressed – health and safety, taxes and so on. “We see the strain on facilities of a city such as Barcelona and on its citizens.”
TANZER: ‘Without controls we know tourism can kill tourism’
Abta chairman Noel Josephides
agreed, saying: “The disruptors would not be so disruptive if they were regulated the same as the legacy industry. “If we want to consider
ourselves a mature, responsible industry, we must ensure a strong and fair regulatory system.” Lawmakers in New York City ruled this month to restrict listings on Airbnb, imposing fines of $1,000 and above for breach of regulations on short-term rental. It has been estimated that almost half the 36,000 New York listings on Airbnb are “illegal”, involving commercial operators renting out multiple units.
Abta reveals moderator of Travel Convention
Abta has named an Al Jazeera broadcaster and journalist as moderator of The Travel Convention in Abu Dhabi this autumn. Maryam Nemazee of Al Jazeera
English will present the 2016 convention programme. Nemazee is currently the anchor
on Al Jazeera English’s flagship programme Newshour. She was previously based in
London with Bloomberg Television and has also worked for Sky.
NEMAZEE: Al Jazeera presenter Abta chief executive Mark
Tanzer said: “I’m delighted Maryam has accepted our offer to moderate this year’s conference. She has a superb track record. “The convention is the forward-
looking event in the industry, stimulating debate around the issues that count. I’m confident this will be one of the best yet.” The Travel Convention 2016
takes place on Yas Island, Abu Dhabi, on October 10-12.
MCKENZIE: ‘Give a clear message’ 30 June 2016
travelweekly.co.uk 71
Knock Travel boss backs Abta stance on FCO advice
Abta remains concerned at proposed changes to Foreign Office (FCO) travel advice that would see a new, fourth level introduced. Knock Travel owner and Abta
board member Doreen McKenzie told the Travel Matters conference: “Customers continually ask where it is safe to travel to. “The government needs to take a lead. I don’t think it’s helpful they are now playing around with the [FCO] advice system. To add another layer will add confusion. Let’s give a clear message, not a confused one.” FCO travel advice currently
operates on three levels displayed on country maps on the FCO website in the ‘traffic light’ colours of green, amber and red. The FCO is considering a fourth
level and colour denoting that “it’s generally safe to travel [but] to be aware that the risks are higher than at home around crime or the terrorist threat”. Abta head of destinations and sustainability Nikki White said: “Customers really need clarity of advice and we have a system that works very well at the moment.” She added: “It’s been a year like no one has really ever seen. I never thought we would be working with counter-terrorism police, but we are and it is now central.”
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