Continued from page 80


and would consider a takeover of the entire airline group. Virgin Atlantic is reported to be interested in Tomas Cook’s UK airline. Private equity firm Indigo, which has multiple airline investments including in Wizz Air, is also reported to have bid, as has Lisbon-based charter carrier Hi Fly. Tomas Cook has also


confirmed an “unsolicited” offer from private equity firm Triton Partners for its airline and tour operator businesses in Norway, Sweden, Finland and Denmark. Triton bought Netherlands-


based online travel group Sunweb in December and added Netherlands and Belgian tour operator Corenden Holiday Group last week. Te combined business, bought for an undisclosed amount, has a turnover of €1.1 billion and 1.75 million passengers. Tomas Cook is expected


to report on the progress of its airline sale at the end of this month. It announced in May that


it has secured a £300 million credit facility to carry it through next winter, but this is “principally dependent on progress” in selling its airline. Tomas Cook’s future was


called into question last month when it reported a dramatic rise in winter losses to £1.45 billion owing to a “goodwill impairment” of £1.1 billion on the MyTravel business it took over in 2007. Questions remain as to


whether Tomas Cook can secure a sufficiently high price for its airline, separate its tour operator and airline businesses, and secure arrangements on future flying for its tour operator passengers.


UNWTO quizzes 12,000 residents on overtourism. Ian Taylor reports


Urban dwellers split over pros and cons of tourism


A major UN World Tourism Organization survey has found almost half of urban residents believe their city atracts “a high number” of tourists and almost as many consider this causes “over- crowding” and raises living costs. At the same time, half thought


tourism “creates more jobs” (48%), “creates new leisure activities” (50%) and “generates wealth” (52%). Australian respondents were


most likely to feel their cities suffered heavy tourism. In Europe, Spain showed the greatest perception of “high tourist numbers” among leading destinations at 59%. Te UK rate was 44%, Italy 43%, Germany 37% and France 33%. More than half the respondents


in Spain (56%) and Britain (55%) felt tourism causes overcrowding on streets, in shops and on transport. Te same proportion in Spain said tourists increase the cost of housing and goods and services. A slightly higher proportion in Spain saw the positive side, with 59% saying tourism “creates jobs” and 64% “creates wealth”.


More than 40% of respondents in


France and Italy identified tourism as responsible for overcrowding and increasing costs of housing, goods and services. However, the greatest antagonism towards tourism appears to be in South Korea where two-thirds identified overcrowding and 70% increased costs as consequences. Two-thirds in Spain (69%) and


Italy (64%) supported measures to manage tourism beter, compared with 30% in the UK and 24% in Germany – suggesting concerns in the major source markets lags that in leading summer destinations.


Tere was limited support for


restrictions. Just 12% overall backed limiting tourist numbers. Only in Germany did a significant minority (29%) back limits. Te dispersal of visitors appeared


less popular than improving infrastructure. One-third (35%) in Italy and 43% in Spain supported spreading visitors through the year and 30% in Italy and 42% in Spain dispersing them beyond a city. By contrast, 80% in Italy and 73% in Spain


favoured improved infrastructure. › Te survey for the UNWTO involved 12,000 adults in 15 countries.


Regular travellers keenest on measures to manage tourism


Te greatest support for measures to combat overtourism comes from regular overseas travellers. Te UNWTO study of 12,000


adults found the proportion considering their city to have a high number of tourists increased with the frequency of their own travel – as did support for measures to improve tourism management. Almost three in five respondents


78 13 JUNE 2019


(58%) who had travelled twice or more in the past year said high numbers of tourists visited their city, compared with 38% who had not travelled. Respondents who travelled


appeared more likely to perceive the positive impacts of tourism – 61% who travelled three or more times in the year agreed tourism creates jobs, but 54% said it


increased housing costs and 53% that it caused overcrowding. Tat compared with 48% overall


who thought tourism creates jobs, 45% that it boosts housing costs and 46% creates overcrowding. Almost three in five (57%)


of those travelling three or more times favoured measures to manage tourism against 40% of those who did not travel.


travelweekly.co.uk Venice


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44  |  Page 45  |  Page 46  |  Page 47  |  Page 48  |  Page 49  |  Page 50  |  Page 51  |  Page 52  |  Page 53  |  Page 54  |  Page 55  |  Page 56  |  Page 57  |  Page 58  |  Page 59  |  Page 60  |  Page 61  |  Page 62  |  Page 63  |  Page 64  |  Page 65  |  Page 66  |  Page 67  |  Page 68  |  Page 69  |  Page 70  |  Page 71  |  Page 72  |  Page 73  |  Page 74  |  Page 75  |  Page 76  |  Page 77  |  Page 78  |  Page 79  |  Page 80  |  Page 81  |  Page 82  |  Page 83  |  Page 84  |  Page 85  |  Page 86  |  Page 87  |  Page 88