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the tiny toiletry is over’. It does not want to row back in an election year.” The source warned the
deadline would be missed regardless “given the scale of the challenge”, explaining: “There are only two manufacturers of the scanners. There is significant construction work required [and] airports have to take out security lanes to install the scanners.” Travel Weekly noted (February
29): “Of the biggest airports, only Luton is understood to be ready for June 1.” The DfT masked its retreat
last week by talking tough, suggesting: “Extensions have been granted on a case-by-case basis for up to a year [and] serious penalties [are] planned for those who fail to meet the new deadlines.” Harper suggested: “Powers
to achieve this under the Aviation Security Act will be explored and taken forward in the coming months.” But there will be no work on
installing the scanners through the summer – the earliest that work is likely to recommence is November – and the government is unlikely to be in office to impose fines next year even if it finds time to take the powers to do so. The June deadline was not
the first to be postponed. In 2011, the DfT confirmed its “intention that the restrictions on liquids will be lifted by 2013”. But most overseas airports lack the scanners and may not have them for years, so the restrictions will remain on most flights to the UK anyway. Travellers are advised to adhere to the existing rules.
GSTC unveils sustainable criteria for Mice sector
Ian Taylor
The Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC) has published sustainability criteria for the meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions (Mice) sector for the first time. GSTC has set global standards
for travel and tourism sustainability, aimed at developing a common understanding of sustainable practices for the industry worldwide. The latest set of criteria is the
third to be released, adding to the GTSC Industry Criteria for hotels and tour operators and Destinations Criteria. A fourth set, for attractions, is currently in development. The Mice criteria, developed with
support from the Singapore Tourism Board (STB), are aimed at venues, event organisers and exhibitions and for use in education and for raising awareness, making policies, measurement and evaluation, and certification.
Tui begins trading on Frankfurt Stock Exchange
Tui’s shares began trading on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange on Monday following the group’s decision to delist from London, which was ratified by shareholders at the AGM in February. Group chief executive Sebastian
Ebel and chief financial officer Mathias Kiep opened the trading in Frankfurt by ringing the stock
46 11 APRIL 2024 GSTC chief executive Randy
Durband said the criteria followed “a year of dedicated work and effort” and said: “Let’s seize this opportunity to significantly advance the Mice industry’s journey towards sustainability.” He suggested the growth of
the Mice industry and “escalating demand for sustainable tourism” made it “imperative” to establish universal guidelines for sustainable practices in the sector. Durband hailed the STB as “a
key contributor” to developing the criteria and said they “are the
exchange bell, with Tui’s shares priced initially at €7.73. Tui expects to appear on the
Frankfurt MDAX, the index below Germany’s prime DAX listing, from June 24. The group’s listing on the London Stock Exchange will end when that happens. The price of Tui shares in
London rose more than 3% on Monday and 8% year on year to £6.75, giving Tui a market capitalisation of €3.85 billion. Tui had been listed in London
and Hanover since 2014 when the German-based Tui AG and UK-based Tui Travel merged.
Sebastian Ebel
Explaining the move, Tui said “share custody and liquidity on the stock exchanges” had increasingly shifted towards Germany. But Ebel insisted Tui companies
in the UK “will remain unaffected by the change and will continue to be key operational areas”.
travelweekly.co.uk
Randy Durband
minimum that any Mice business should aspire to attain”. Yap Chin Siang, Singapore
Tourism Board deputy chief executive, added: “Our collaboration with the GSTC to develop the criteria underscores Singapore’s commitment to sustainable tourism. I strongly urge all stakeholders in the Mice ecosystem to embrace the criteria.” The STB launched a Mice
Sustainability Roadmap in 2022 with local guidelines on best practice in setting waste management goals, reducing types of waste and better managing carbon emissions. GSTC criteria take account of
sustainable tourism standards and guidelines around the world and the Mice criteria were widely consulted on during development, reflecting the GSTC’s “goal of attaining a global consensus” on sustainable tourism. Work on the criteria began in
September 2022, with development beginning in earnest from April 2023.
PICTURE: Rüdiger Nehmzow
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