Continued from page 56


(LTAs), adapting the definition of a package so that “when services are purchased from separate traders through linked online booking processes, they are considered a package when the traveller’s personal details are transferred”. Having learnt from the


pandemic, the PTD will allow the offer of vouchers, covered by insolvency protection, in the event of a cancellation provided “travellers receive clear information on their right to insist on a refund within 14 days”. The reformed PTD will


also confirm that official travel warnings “are important when determining whether a package cannot be performed due to unavoidable and extraordinary circumstances”, and that “circumstances in the country of departure, residence and the destination may be taken into account”. The associated EC revisions


to passenger rights’ regulations include a requirement when flights are booked through intermediaries that contact details are passed to the airline to ensure “passengers receive all relevant information directly from the air carrier”. This will affect online agents selling airlines such as Ryanair with which they lack distribution agreements. However, the EC stated


that the passenger data must be transmitted “for this purpose alone” and noted: “Air carriers will face sanctions if they use this data for any other purpose.” New rules also extend


protections to passengers using different types of transport in one trip – multi-modal journeys.


WTTC launches ‘water roadmap for tourism’


Ian Taylor


The World Travel & Tourism Council called for action to safeguard water ecosystems and launched a ‘Water Roadmap for Travel & Tourism’ at the Cop28 Climate Change Conference in Dubai, noting water resilience is “vital for the sector’s long-term survival”. It calculates the sector’s water use


at 5.8% of global available freshwater in 2019, when travel accounted for 10% of world GDP, and reported the ‘intensity’ of the sector’s water use fell by 2% a year in the 10 years to 2019. However, the industry’s overall


water footprint increased 21% between 2010 and 2019, and the WTTC notes this footprint “is heavily influenced by how much of local agricultural production is geared towards meeting tourist demand”. A third (34%) of the sector’s


water footprint was in countries of ‘high’ or ‘extremely’ high water stress


Jesko-Philipp Neuenburg, global


Tourism uses ‘5.8%’ of global


available freshwater


in 2019, and two-thirds (64%) in countries of ‘medium to high’ stress. The report, produced with global


business consultancy Accenture and the Saudi-based Sustainable Tourism Global Center, found water use by the sector grew in the Asia Pacific region, Americas and Middle East in the decade, but declined by 1% overall in Europe and Africa. WTTC president and chief


executive Julia Simpson said: “Climate scientists warn that 2C of warming will dramatically increase the risks of water shortages.”


travel and aviation sustainability lead at Accenture, noted 91% of natural disasters over the past 50 years were water-related and warned: “Water-related events are the face of climate change, and travel and tourism is particularly exposed.” He outlined four steps in a water


management action framework: assessing the level of water-related risks; developing water ‘intelligence’ and monitoring; developing ‘water-conscious organisation’, efficiency and resilience; and monitoring and reporting to maintain water compliance. The WTTC report notes “travel


and tourism’s geographic diversity means its water demands are felt in many regions”. It advised the sector’s water consumption “should not be considered trivial”, with the “water footprint in each market determined largely by the water systems and water management in that country”.


DfT consults on reform of airport slot allocation


The Department for Transport (DfT) launched a consultation on airport slot reform on Monday, claiming UK aviation could “shape its own destiny” now Britain is outside the EU. It suggested “smoother getaways


and cheaper prices could be on the horizon”, pointing out the current system is based on EU regulations.


54 7 DECEMBER 2023


The DfT proposals include


limits on slot leasing “so instead of larger airlines monopolising slots, they can be allocated to competitors if not used – allowing for newer or smaller airlines to receive favourable slots”. How this would work in practice


is unclear. Slots are allocated via an independent slot coordinator following procedures set out by Iata. Airlines already trade slots at


slot-regulated airports, chiefly at Heathrow and Gatwick. But a report for the DfT in 2019


on Slot Allocation at Heathrow noted “a preference by airlines to


Heathrow


hold on to their slot holdings”. The Airport Operators


Association welcomed the proposals, but airlines are likely to argue they risk carriers operating ‘ghost flights’ without passengers to avoid losing slots.


travelweekly.co.uk


PICTURE: Shutterstock/Shooting Star Studio


PICTURE: Shutterstock/EQRoy


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