NEWS ROUND-UP
New Tui scheme certifies sustainability of its tours
Samantha Mayling
Tui’s tours and activities division has unveiled a scheme to certify the sustainability credentials of its experiences. Peter Ulwahn, Tui Musement
chief executive, said the initiative, developed with the Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC), is a first in the industry. “We wanted to find a way to give
customers sustainable choices for experiences and GSTC offers the best model,” he said. “Coming from a tour operator
background, I know about other schemes but they don’t cover what Tui Musement offers in destinations quite so well.” Tui Musement has worked with
GSTC for three years to create the scheme, which covers all the components of each experience, including transport and venues. They compiled questions that
cover environmental considerations such as carbon emissions, food waste and energy. The questions are sent to suppliers who undertake a full assessment, then Tui Musement’s staff ensure they match its criteria. About 200 experiences have
been certified in destinations such as Majorca, the Canaries, Turkey, the
Tui Musement offers a GSTC-certified trip on the Dalyan River in Turkey. Inset: Peter Ulwahn
Dominican Republic and Croatia. The first to be certified are in the Tui Collection, plus those offered in partnership with National Geographic. Certified tours include Tui’s
electric riverboat trip on Turkey’s Dalyan River to spot sea turtles and visit the ruins of ancient Kaunos. Tours and activities that meet the
criteria are highlighted with a ‘Green and Fair’ label on Tui’s website. Ulwahn said: “[Sustainability] has
moved from ‘nice to have’ to must- have. Surveys show most customers want a certified experience and more than half would pay extra to ensure
Jet2 increases credit facility with banks from £100m to £300m
Jet2 has agreed a new line of credit worth up to £300 million with a group of banks. The revolving credit facility (RCF) has been secured with Barclays Bank, Lloyds, HSBC and NatWest, and is an increase on the operator’s previous RCF of £100 million. Executive chairman Philip Meeson said the increase “reflects the considerable growth of the Jet2 business”.
8 27 OCTOBER 2022
their choice is sustainable. Suppliers, such as hotels, would have challenged it 10 years ago; now it is natural. “They welcome it as it showcases
the good they are doing. “We will help sellers in different
channels to promote it, in B2C, retail, reps and contact centres. “We still sell [tours] that are
not certified and will work with all those suppliers to give them the opportunity to certify.” Ulwahn said Tui and GSTC hope
to make the scheme available to others in the industry. Tui Musement offers up to 80,000 experiences around the world.
Spain lifts Covid entry rules
ahead of half-term holiday Spain dropped all its Covid entry restrictions ahead of the October half-term holiday. Previously, all travellers aged 12 and over entering the country had to show proof of vaccination, a negative Covid test or recovery within the last six months. The rules were lifted on October 21.
On the Beach reports 16% upturn
in full-year sales against 2019 On the Beach Group has seen “substantial growth” in long-haul and five-star holidays, helping it to report full-year sales 16% ahead of 2019. In a trading update for the 12 months to September 30, the online agency also said group sales for the second half of its full year, from April to September, were 25% ahead of the same period in 2019.
travelweekly.co.uk
Henbury Travel’s strong sales spur move to new store
Macclesfield-based Henbury Travel is relocating to larger premises in the Cheshire town following a growth in sales and an increase in higher-value and luxury bookings. The agency, which opened its
first store on Chestergate in 2019, is to move into a former hairdressers on the same street in November. Owner Richard Slater said the
move would offer increased footfall and the opportunity to have a stall at the monthly market on the street. The agency employs two staff
but may take on a third, said Slater. Since Covid, the agency has seen
a rise in higher-value holidays, with trips costing £15,000 to £20,000 now “quite the norm”. Pre-Covid, £20,000 was considered a maximum spend for the agency’s main client base. Slater credited the sales upturn
in part to the brand’s higher profile thanks to his frequent media interviews during the pandemic. Henbury Travel was named the
small agency of the year for north- west England and north Wales at the 2022 Agent Achievement Awards.
Henbury Travel is moving into a former hairdressers
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