Colors: Yellow Color
Colors: Yellow Color

The Tobago Tourism Agency Limited’s destination marketing campaign, “Tobago Beyond”, has been shortlisted in the International Travel & Tourism Awards 2019 in the “Best National Tourism Board Campaign” and “Best Destination Campaign” categories.

Presented by World Travel Market and supported by the United Nations World Tourism Organization, the International Travel & Tourism Awards are a global platform that recognizes and promotes excellence within the travel and tourism industry. The 2019 Awards Ceremony will take place on Tuesday November 05 in London, England.

The “Best National Tourism Board Campaign” award recognizes which destination showcased its vibrancy, culture and individuality through a consumer or trade campaign that leaves the viewer pushing the destination to the top of their bucket list, or wanting to return. The award for “Best Destination Campaign” looks at which destination’s campaign achieved volume and value growth in addition to encouraging visitation. The submitted campaigns were assessed using tangible metrics, including proof of audience engagement, budget, and obstacles and how they were resolved.

According to Nicole Smart, International Travel & Tourism Awards Organizer: “Our judges have been greatly impressed by the exceptional quality of entries, and those who are on the shortlist know they have reached a very high standard – they will be among the best in the world.”

Tobago’s submission, “Revitalizing Tobago Tourism”, outlined the aim of the “Tobago Beyond” campaign, which is to revitalize the international appeal of Tobago as a real challenger holiday destination for those seeking a Caribbean holiday. With limited resources in comparison to other Caribbean destinations, focusing on specific markets and traveler segments was a key part of the strategy.

The submission also indicated that all of the campaign’s KPIs (Key Performance Indicators) have outperformed, and resulted in double digit growth of arrivals in 8 months, with the last three months showing 22%, 29% and 40% growth respectively.

Commenting on the announcement of Tobago being shortlisted in the awards, Secretary for Tourism, Culture and Transportation, Councillor Nadine Stewart-Phillips said: “This accomplishment is another reflection of our continued commitment to advance the island's tourism sector. This is certainly testament to the fact that we are going in the right direction with respect to greater visibility for destination Tobago.

Since the launch, the ‘Tobago Beyond’ campaign has attracted tremendous local and international interest and has yielded substantial results. I am heartened that our efforts are being recognized globally and look forward to the continued positive returns this recognition will bring.”

Louis Lewis, CEO of the Tobago Tourism Agency Limited, also expressed his satisfaction with the news, stating: “We are honoured to be shortlisted for not just one, but two categories in these prestigious awards, due to the beyond ordinary marketing efforts of the Tobago Tourism Agency. Our intention has always been to enable Tobago to be a stand out destination in its own right using the island’s unique character and features to guide our creative and messaging exploration, and our recognition in these awards signify that our brand message is being received loud and clear.”

For families looking for a fun activity to do once the schools have broken up, Pets at Home is hosting a series of fun and free interactive pet workshops during the summer holidays. Taking place in stores across West Midlands, the workshops will educate attendees about how to look after animals as pets and are aimed at children between the ages of 5-11.

The My Pet Pals workshops offer hands-on activities to educate the next generation of pet owners about keeping pets safe, happy and healthy. Children can expect to find out about the fascinating world of pets, with interactive games and ‘meet and greet’ sessions with Pets at Home’s friendly pets.

Kerry Boulton store manager at the Pets at Home Oldbury store, said: “Our My Pet Pals workshops are a fun way to give young animal lovers the chance to learn the importance of pet welfare. The workshops are hosted by our friendly and knowledgeable pet care advisors, who are on hand to ensure future pet owners are fully equipped with everything they need to know about owning a pet.”

Following the workshops, children are invited to enter the My Pet Pals Summer Challenges Competition, where they will be encouraged to complete an interactive activity book made up of exciting tasks to be completed over the summer for the chance to win a fantastic prize*.

The free workshops will teach children how to keep pets cool over the warm summer months, as well as how to become the best fish owner they can be. The workshops last approximately 30 minutes and take place every day in stores at 11.30am during the summer holidays.

Qatar Airways’ first ever passenger flight to Portugal landed at Lisbon Airport on Monday 24 June 2019, as the airline adds to its rapidly expanding European network. Operated by a Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft, flight QR343 was greeted with a water cannon salute on arrival.

Present on board the inaugural flight to Lisbon was the Portuguese Ambassador to Qatar, H.E Mr. Ricardo Pracana, and Qatar Airways Chief Commercial Officer, Mr. Simon Talling-Smith. They were met by VIPs including the Qatari Ambassador to Portugal, H.E. Mr. Saad Ali Al-Muhannadi and the Chief Executive of Aeroportos de Portugal Mr. Thierry Ligonnière.

Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive, His Excellency Mr. Akbar Al Baker, said: “We are delighted to launch direct services to Lisbon, the latest addition to Qatar Airways’ rapidly expanding European network. Lisbon is renowned for its extensive history and culture, boasting a rich artistic and gastronomic heritage. We look forward to welcoming business and leisure travellers alike on board so that they may experience this vibrant destination, one of the oldest capitals in Western Europe. The new route confirms our commitment to the Portuguese market and will provide passengers travelling from Lisbon access to Qatar Airways’ extensive global route network of more than 160 destinations around the world.”

The new daily direct services to Lisbon will be operated by the airline’s state-of-the-art Boeing 787 Dreamliner, with 22 seats in Business Class and 232 seats in Economy Class. Qatar Airways passengers travelling in Business Class can relax in one of the most comfortable, fully lie-flat beds in the sky as well as enjoying a five-star food and beverage service served ‘dine on demand’. Passengers can also take advantage of the airline’s award-winning in-flight entertainment system, Oryx One, offering up to 4,000 options.

The service opens up a world of connectivity for Qatar Airways customers travelling from Lisbon to destinations across Africa, Asia and Australia, such as Maputo, Hong Kong, Bali, Maldives, Bangkok, Sydney and many more.

Lisbon has also joined Qatar Airways’ air freight network, with the carrier’s cargo arm offering a total capacity of 70 tonnes to and from Portugal each week, and a direct connection to destinations in Europe, the Middle East and the Americas via Doha. In addition to this, Qatar Airways Cargo has a huge presence in neighbouring Spain with 47 belly-hold cargo flights to Barcelona and Madrid, including seasonal flights to Malaga each week. The carrier also operates 10 weekly Boeing 777 and Airbus A330 freighters to Zaragoza, providing more than 950 tonnes of cargo capacity to customers.

Qatar Airways currently operates a modern fleet of more than 250 aircraft via its hub, Hamad International Airport (HIA) to more than 160 destinations worldwide.

Lisbon is the fourth new destination to be introduced by the airline this summer following the launch of flights to Izmir, Turkey, and Rabat, Morocco, in May; with Malta at the beginning of June and Davao, Philippines on 18 June; followed by Mogadishu, Somalia, on 1 July; and Langkawi, Malaysia, on 15 October.

On Wednesday (June 5) Birmingham Airport took part in ‘World Environment Day’ - the annual United Nation's campaign for encouraging awareness and action for the protection of the environment. First held in 1974, it has been a flagship campaign for raising awareness on environmental issues since this date.

Birmingham Airport recognises that it has a role to play in reducing its impact on the environment and outlines ways it will achieve this through its environmental plans. The Airport’s commitments extend to all employees, tenants and contractors on-site.

World Environment Day is an ideal catalyst for the Airport to again raise awareness of the environmental activities that are carried out by Birmingham Airport’s dedicated Sustainability team amongst the Airport community. It also aims to receive ideas and feedback from all staff on how collaboratively it can reduce its impact on the environment.

During the day, employees took part in competitions and quizzes and other enjoyable activities. A team of experts were on hand to promote staff travel, through the lift share scheme and the options for staff to cycle to work. Staff members also got to make a smoothie – powered by cycling on a bike to generate enough power to create their own healthy drink.

Nick Barton, CEO of Birmingham Airport said: “Birmingham Airport is very focused on its responsibility to the environment. Our Sustainability team’s mission is to ensure that our services and operations, where they have an impact on the local, regional and global environment, are mitigated for the protection of the environment.

“It was great to see many people from the airport community meet and engage with our Sustainability team and learn about our ongoing environmental plans to mitigate the Airport’s impact on the environment. This includes how we reduce the carbon footprint and single use plastics, keep our watercourses clean, minimise noise pollution and improve our recycling efforts.

“On a site that supports jobs for 8000 people, we want to inform them of the work we’re doing to reduce our impact and to show them ways to live more consciously - both at work and at home - to make a cleaner and safer environment.”

The mayor of the West Midlands has called for a direct flight between Birmingham and Mumbai.

Andy Street is petitioning both Air India and the Indian Government to install the route, with hundreds already backing his campaign.

It comes after the former John Lewis boss met India’s aviation minister last year to make the business case for the direct route.

Currently there is a direct flight between Birmingham and Delhi, but those wanting to travel to Mumbai from the Midlands need to make the 185km journey south to London Heathrow.

Jet Airways used to operate a direct flight to Mumbai from Manchester but this stopped when the airline collapsed.

Mr Street said: “The Midlands serves a large Indian community of nearly 500,000 people, with significant populations in Birmingham, Leicester, Northampton, Nottingham, Sandwell and Wolverhampton.

“I am really pleased there is an Air India flight to Delhi from Birmingham but if people need to go to Mumbai they have to travel to Heathrow. Given the significant business (Jaguar Land Rover, JCB, Rolls Royce, Bharat Forge, Pattonair and Bombardier to name a few) links between the Midlands and India, and the strength of the diaspora, there is strong demand for a direct flight between Birmingham and Mumbai.

“As well as the business case there is also the personal case, as the new route will allow thousands of families to reconnect far easier with family and friends in India.

“The Midlands and India have a wonderful relationship, but it is time we strengthened that with a new route.”

The mayor’s petition, which can be found on change.org, has garnered more than 930 signatures at the time of writing.

One of them, Petro Nicolaides, said: “I believe the links between the West Midlands and Mumbai for both trade and the diaspora are essential for both regions.

“The need and demand warrants a direct flight.”

Titiksha Shah added: “I am a regular traveller to Mumbai for business and would be very pleased to have a direct flight.”

To sign Mr Street’s petition, visit www.change.org/p/air-india-we-need-a-direct-flight-to-mumbai-from-birmingham

Travel expert Doug Lansky will keynote the Caribbean Hospitality Industry Exchange Forum (CHIEF) event at Hyatt Regency Miami, June 21-23, 2019.

The annual event, now in its fifth year, welcomes more than 400 hospitality and tourism professionals from the Caribbean and The Americas and features expert speakers and presenters on timely travel and tourism topics.

Lansky, a travel author and editor, is a tourism development leader who advises destinations and tourism companies in a number of countries on strategic branding, marketing, the visitor experience, industry trends and sustainability. His 20 years of writing experience spans publications ranging from National Geographic Traveler through The Guardian, Lonely Planet and Skift.

"We welcome Doug to CHIEF to share with us his insights on how hoteliers, tourism businesses and destinations in the region can adapt and implement strategies to improve their competitiveness in an ever-changing industry," said Frank Comito, Director General and CEO of the Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association (CHTA), producers of the annual event.

This year's lively and informative agenda focuses on tourism's trending topics, including adapting to new booking solutions, maintaining a productive environment in a multigenerational and diverse cultural workplace; what's hot and trending in food and beverage; what guests are seeking in a Caribbean vacation today; trends, opportunities and challenges facing businesses and the region over the next five years; and understanding guest diversity to more effectively market and maximize return on investment.

General sessions, which include speakers and panelists from top-tier travel brands, will focus on "Tomorrow's Talent Today: The Dynamics of Human Capital"; "Turning Imagination into Reality: What Guests will be Seeking in a Caribbean Vacation"; "Who's Got Umami and How Can I Get Some?" and "Cannabis to Crypto - Are you Ready for What's Next?"

The CHIEF 2019 theme is "Vision 2024: Embracing Change, Diversity and Growth", which looks at the future of the travel industry, its effects on the Caribbean and discusses how industry partners can work together to face the challenges ahead.

Comito adds that a hallmark of CHIEF is engagement: "Sessions are structured to be lively and fun, with a healthy interchange among panelists and the audience. This will invigorate participants and stimulate greater networking, one of the key benefits and objectives of CHIEF".

CHIEF is one of three CHTA events scheduled in June. Taste of the Caribbean, also taking place at Hyatt Regency Miami from June 21-25, 2019, features top culinary teams from more than a dozen Caribbean nations and territories as they compete for recognition and awards. In addition, CHTA shares their talent through its signature cultural celebration, entitled Caribbean305, to be held on Saturday, June 22, 2019 in Miami.

This year's CHIEF host sponsor is Interval International, while Platinum sponsors include Figment Design, Marketplace Excellence, MasterCard, OBMI and STR. Gold sponsors are 7 Pillars of Digital Marketing, ADA International, Arrivalist, Aruba - a Hewlett Packard Enterprise Company, Caymera International, Oracle Hospitality, SportsArt, TravelClick, Travel Relations, TravPro Mobile, Tropical Shipping, and WineSchool3.

Durban is the official host of the largest travel industry trade show in Africa, Indaba, that opened yesterday. Sibusiso Mngoma, Senior Manager, Information & Tourism Sevices at Durban Tourism wants African Tourism Board to hold its first conference in this multi-cultural showpiece of a global destination.

This was discussed in a meeting with African Tourism Board Vice President Cuthbert Ncube and CEO Doris Woerfel.

The Zulu Kingdom, or the Province of KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) in South Africa has a devout following throughout continental Africa. Nowhere else in the world will one find such a unique fusion of raw natural beauty, modern sophistication, cultural diversity and pulsating energy – all in the most breath-taking natural setting.

Durban has become the hub of Tourism with its diverse cultural products, a Province that has a rich cultural history.

African Tourism Board interim chairman Juergen Steinmetz commented from the U.S: “This South African multi-cultural city is the ideal place for all of Africa to come together and celebrate the beauty of the African continent as one destination. Thank you to our CEO and VP to open the doors for our young organization to get to know Sibusiso Mngoma and his team in KwaZula-Natal. We will certainly consider this generous offer.”

Cuthbert Ncube added: “Durban Tourism suggested to host us during the Month of September 2020 if we are ready, being the month of Tourism.”

Founded in 2018, the African Tourism Board is an association that is internationally acclaimed for acting as a catalyst for the responsible development of travel and tourism to, from, and within the African region.

Red Rocks Cultural Center in Rwanda founder Greg Bakunzi has been appointed as the latest board member of the African Tourism Board. He is a star in African Tourism with a vision for the industry, for sustainability, and for his unique approach in generating business to Rwanda and the whole of Africa.

Just in February Mr. Bakunzi made his country Rwanda proud when he was featured on the global tourism and conservation map as the founder of Red Rocks Cultural Center and claimed another award during the 10th Tourism Investment and Business Forum for Africa (INVESTOUR) awards. The event was organized jointly by the World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO), FITUR, and Casa Africa.

ATB President Alain St. Ange welcomed Greg to his Board appointment saying: “It’s a good day for African Tourism. I am very pleased Mr. Bakunzi agreed to join our board and share his leadership and vision with Africa. This is great news for our new organization.”

Greg reached out to fellow members and the African Tourism Industry saying: “It is with great honor and appreciation that I thank you for this great opportunity to be a productive part of the African tourism board, I truly appreciate the courtesy you have extended to me.

Thank you again for your confidence in me. I am looking forward to beginning my work as a part of your organization. My journey in tourism and community development spans over 15 years and as a newly appointed board member of the ATB am excited to bring my expertise and knowledge to support further implementation of the objectives of the African Tourism Board.

I started back in 2001 as a tour guide and eventually founded my company Amahoro Tours which has grown since back in 2008 I saw my business grow to a level that I was proud of. After that, in 2011, I thought I should do something else without giving up Amahoro Tours, that’s when I came up with Red Rocks Rwanda as a cultural center, which is which now works with Red Rocks initiative for Sustainable Development, a non-profit organization operating in Africa working with individuals and groups to encourage, support, and celebrate more sustainable actions through creating awareness of Global warming and also ending the use of plastic seed bags, thus preserving our natural  resources and cultural heritage with the purpose of promoting tourism and environmental conservation as the leading sustainable community empowerment tool to uplift the socio-economic status of our members.

I am looking forward to using my capacity as an advocate for responsible tourism that benefits the surrounding communities and areas through providing jobs and ensuring that we understand what challenges communities face and how to overcome them by using their abilities as a base for finding sustainable solutions.

According to a report published by the World Economic Forum (WEF), the travel industry will double in the next 5 years, generating trillions annually and as part of my personal strategy is to position our destinations as travelers favorites, by agreeing  with the belief that prioritizing sustainability in the tourism sector means people and economies will in general greatly benefit because of globally the  African continent has much more exciting and abundant natural attractions to offer travelers.

It is against this background that I will use my platform to encourage others to fully understand that we need to shape up or change our mindsets and acknowledge the fact that community and tourism is beneficial to the development of our travel destinations

As a passionate community development advocate, am pleased to let you know that Red Rocks has been given international awards for the work we have been doing. Most recently Red Rocks were selected as one of the best community tourism organizations in Rwanda by the Chamber of Tourism. We have been also been awarded by the United Nations as one of the best tourism initiative organizations in #Africa and Green Destination Travel has given us a certificate for Best Green Destination Travel Area.

In my opinion, my biggest achievements are different events and conferences I have attended around the world. These events show me that there is actually a lot more to do than what I did. The best part of the conference is where I pick something and share with other people in the same industry and my plans are to use Red Rocks in the future and I want it to be one of the best ecotourism destinations in the region and on the continent.

I understand that this task comes with responsibilities and am glad to offer my best of effort for the great advancement of tourism development, and tourism investment in the region.

Thank you for this wonderful opportunity to be a part of the African Tourism Board and I look forward to the work we have ahead of us.”

 

Cartagena, the colonial port city on the Caribbean coast of Colombia, represented by COTELCO Cartagena, joined the Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association (CHTA) as its 33rd destination and the first commercial association to join the regional association in more than 15 years.

COTELCO Cartagena, a chapter of Colombia's hotel and tourism association, has 56 affiliated hotels and more than 4,000 hotel rooms, including brands such as GHL Hotels, Hilton, Intercontinental Hotels Group, Karisma Hotels and Resorts, Movich Hotels, Radisson Hotels and Resorts, Sofitel and Hyatt. In Colombia, COTELCO Nacional has 900 affiliate hotels throughout the country with a presence in 23 departments.

"We are absolutely delighted that COTELCO Cartagena, which represents the jewel in the crown of Colombia, has joined CHTA with its brilliant fusion of Caribbean and Latin American culture adding enormously to the rich diversity of our organization," said Frank Comito, CEO and Director General of the organization that represents the interests of the private sector throughout the region.

The Caribbean port of Cartagena de Indias was founded in 1533 and its old walled city and fortress, called colonial city, once repelled invaders and pirates. These days, thanks to the efforts of COTELCO, the charming city now welcomes visitors to its tiled roofs, balconies, flower-filled courtyards and lively social life.

The history of Cartagena, where the treasure of gold and silver of the New World was sent to the Old World, is impregnated with romance and drama and is the final resting place of the great liberator Simón Bolívar. The heroic history of Cartagena is evident in the ancient churches that were built as fortresses to reject pirates and foreign invaders such as Sir Francis Drake.

"Cartagena is one of the Colombian Caribbean cities with the greatest tourist potential and one of the most visited in the country. Its monumental treasure, which is a World Heritage Site, declared by UNESCO, and which is in an excellent state of preservation, constitutes one of its greatest attractions," said Monica Mass Tinoco, Executive Director COTELCO Cartagena. " The perfect combination of sea, walls, legends and history, distinguish our destination as a unique brand of the Caribbean. It also has the archipelago of Nuestra Señora del Rosario, an island area that offers white sand beaches and crystal-clear waters, and you can reach it in 40 minutes, by speedboat from the docks of the old city."

Cartagena, a popular tourism destination in Colombia, has a wide variety of attractions and climates - from coral reefs and steep peaks of the highest coastal mountain range in the world, located in Santa Marta. As well as an exuberant variety of marine species and wildlife, Colombia has more than 1,900 types of birds, the largest variety of avian life in the world.

"There is an indefinable quality about Cartagena that is difficult to understand if you have not been touched by the magical realism introduced to the world by Nobel Laureate Gabriel García Márquez, but there is no doubt about the impressive cultural and artistic heritage of this country," said Martha Valdivia, CHTA's Director of Membership Development.  "They have such a rich hotel product which comprises a mixture of old historical culture and new modern facilities, and of course, the impressive beaches that we know and love in the Caribbean," added Valdivia.

Raúl Bustamante, General Manager of Intercontinental Cartagena, said that Cartagena represents "the door of entry from the region to Latin America ... and as such, we have much that we can contribute to the association, (while) at the same time ... learn from our new colleagues and friends who are members of CHTA. "

The admission of COTELCO Cartagena into CHTA was unanimously approved at CHTA's Board of Directors meeting in Montego Bay, Jamaica in January.

The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has launched a new campaign to help local holiday and travel businesses improve the clarity of their terms and conditions.

The ‘Small Print, Big Difference’ campaign is being run in partnership with the lead associations representing the holiday and travel industry, including ABTA – The Travel Association, UKHospitality and the Association of Independent Tour Operators (AITO) amongst others.

As holidaymakers get ready to make the most of the Easter break, the CMA’s campaign is calling on holiday and travel businesses to ‘check in’ and make sure they are using fair terms and conditions in their customer contracts. It also encourages businesses to be upfront and clear with their customers about charges and fees, especially in the event of a customer cancellation.

Holidays can be an expensive outgoing with people in the UK spending an estimated £81 billion on them at home and abroad in the 12 months to April 2018. However, some holidaymakers may have to cancel their plans due to changes in circumstances such as an illness or death in the family.

Under consumer law, businesses may be entitled to ask customers to pay a cancellation fee to cover their losses, but the amount they keep must be in proportion to what they are losing. Cancellation terms that don’t follow this approach are likely to be unfair and businesses can’t rely on them to resolve claims or disputes with customers.

A national survey of 2,000 people by Ipsos Mori, released by the CMA today, shows what members of the public feel should happen if they have to cancel a trip. Regional results for the West Midlands show that:

  • 90% think they should get all, or most, of their money back if they cancel and the business re-sells their booking
  • 86% feel that it’s unfair if they have to pay part of the full cost of a booking when they cancel
  • 65% feel that travel and holiday businesses do not always make it easy to cancel a booking as they should

A term can be legally unfair if it gives the business an unfair advantage. Examples of unfair terms can include those which allow a business to take a large, upfront deposit and refuse to refund any of the customer’s money if they cancel, regardless of the amount the business is losing or the reason for the customer cancelling.

Another example is when a business insists on a large cancellation fee which bears no relation to the actual losses it experiences from the cancellation. A term is more likely to be fair if it clearly explains how a charge reflects what a business will genuinely lose from a cancellation, and the way this charge is calculated is reasonable.

Douglas Cooper, a Project Director at the CMA and Regional Champion for the Midlands, said: “With billions of pounds spent on domestic tourism trips to hotspots such as Birmingham in the West Midlands each year, we are calling on travel businesses in the region to ‘check in’ on their terms. Nobody wants to cancel a trip or holiday. If they have to, it’s important that they are treated fairly and don’t lose out more than is absolutely necessary.

“Whilst fair terms can reassure customers about the business they are working with, unfair terms can’t be enforced – and therefore won’t protect companies if they are challenged. It might be small print, but it makes a big difference.”

Mark Tanzer, Chief Executive of ABTA, said: “At ABTA, we recognise the importance of customers feeling confident that they are buying from a business that commits to treating them fairly. ABTA has discussed its model terms and conditions with the CMA, and along with the ABTA Code of Conduct, I am confident they provide our Members with a strong framework to ensure they are compliant with the regulations and are fair for customers.

“There are circumstances when a cancellation charge may apply, but it must genuinely reflect the costs of cancellations faced by the travel company. We always encourage people to take out travel insurance as soon as they book their holiday, which should protect them from the costs for most cancellations.”

Kate Nicholls, Chief Executive of UKHospitality, said: “The CMA’s campaign has followed legislation aimed at providing crucial accuracy and transparency for both businesses and customers. It is vitally important that our customers have full confidence when they make a booking with a hotel, a restaurant, a B&B or any other hospitality business.

“A clear understanding of terms and conditions can help foster an open and responsive relationship that gives our customers peace of mind and boosts businesses.”

Derek Moore, Chairman of AITO, said: “AITO - The Specialist Travel Association welcomes the CMA’s timely reminder to its members to make sure that their booking conditions are fit for purpose and fair to the consumer. With the myriad of travel organisers, many from outside the UK and EU, targeting UK consumers, understandable and transparent conditions have never been more important”.

The CMA’s campaign invites local businesses to ‘check-in’ on their terms to make sure they’re being fair to their customers, by using the CMA’s advice to help them review their contracts.

A new website (www.gov.uk/fairterms) contains accessible advice and information for businesses on unfair contract terms law and what they can look for when reviewing their terms and conditions. In addition, the CMA has produced detailed guidance to help businesses and their legal teams understand how to apply the law.

The two arms of the African Tourism Boardhad their official launch event yesterday at the Cape Town International Convention Center Conference Theatre during World Tavel Market Africa.

The African Tourism Board Association and the African Tourism Board Marketing Association are joining under the brand African Tourism Board and are now seen as a new Chapter on how Africa becomes one tourism destination. Both arms have access to the “ATB friends of the media group”, and are coordinating activities and events whenever possible.

The Association is fully under African Leadership. It’s based in South Africa, and is forming an initial group of directors to work with newly appointed President Alain St. Ange from Seychelles.

On his team of supporters are Cuthbert Ncube, Regional Vice-Chair UNWTO Affiliate Membership and Chief Executive Director Kwela Fleet Management. The Hon. Minister or Tourism for the Kingdom of Eswatini, formerly Swaziland, Kwakye Donker, CEO African Tourism Partners in Ghana and South Africa, Francoise Kameni Lele, AFBS Cameron, the Hon. Minister Madam Memunatu B. Pratt, the Minister of Tourism and Cultural Affairs for Sierra Leone, among many others.

African Tourism Board Marketing Association is based in the United States and is providing overseas marketing support for Africa under the leadership of Juergen Steinmetz of the eTN Group in Hawaii, USA and Doris Woerfel in Pretoria, South Africa. Together with a team of global supporters, the marketing arm of ATB will explore new opportunities and cost-sharing projects for inbound tourism for the African Continent.

As a start at the ATB launch last night Dov Kalmann explained the potential of travelers from Israel for Africa and introduced the new African Tourism Board office in Tel Aviv.

Arjun Mukundd from T&A Consulting India mentioned that the outbound travel from India is increasing at 10-12% annually and Indians are constantly looking at new destinations to explore. Africa with its rich culture, wildlife and pristine beaches would be a great holiday option for Indians.

Additional ATB offices are planned in the United States and Germany to start with.

Chairman Juergen Steinmetz explained: “Sharing resources, going after potential niche markets, sharing costs and giving both destinations and stakeholder’s representation in key markets will help to raise awareness for the African continent. We like to open a window for large, medium and small businesses in a sustainable way.”

Newly appointed CEO Doris Woerfel sees huge potential for Africa from China and will be concentrating to build a broad membership base in Africa for ATB.

The launch was an action-packed event in Capetown hosted by Carol Weaving, Managing Director of Reed Exhibition Africa. She pledged the support of the World Travel Market for African Tourism Board.

Cape Town Tourism CEO Enver Duminy supported the need for an African Tourism Board in his welcome remark.

The highlight of the event was a 30-minute presentation by Dr. Peter Tarlow on security and safety. There is no tourism without security, he said in an engaging session last night. Dr. Tarlow was appointed as the new Travel & Security advisor for African Tourism Board Marketing Association. He is leading safertourism.com

The launch started with a dinner sponsored by Tony Smith of the HongKong based iFREE Group . The group also provided free ATB sim cards to everyone attending.

 

Discover Puerto Rico, the Island’s first-ever and new Destination Marketing Organization, today announced that the Island will serve as the host for the World Travel & Tourism Council 2020 Global Summit, following the formal announcement made by WTTC at today’s closing ceremony of the 2019 Summit in Seville, Spain. Representing the global private sector of travel & tourism, the Global Summit is regarded as the most important worldwide event in the sector, and gathers significant global business leaders, yearly.

“We’re honored to have been chosen as host destination for the upcoming World Travel and Tourism Council 2020 Global Summit. Puerto Rico is a place where rich culture and natural wonders lay the foundation for an immense bounty of one-of-a-kind experiences. We’re thriving as a destination of global importance and hosting this Summit will elevate even further our tourism offering, positively impacting the local economy. We look forward to welcoming the global tourism industry next year to discover all that Puerto Rico offers,” said Brad Dean, Chief Executive Officer of Discover Puerto Rico.

In Puerto Rico, the travel industry employs roughly 77,000 people, contributes 6.5% to the Island’s GDP and impacts a noteworthy 17 additional sectors of the economy. This, on the rise given the Island’s increasing popularity as a must-visit destination on a global scale, and validated given the selection by the WTTC, as the first U.S. Island territory to host the respected event.

“We are delighted to bring next year’s Global Summit to the beautiful tropical Caribbean island of Puerto Rico, a welcoming and diverse destination that is attracting travelers from all over the world,” said Gloria Guevara Manzo, President and CEO of WTTC. “We’re particularly excited because the destination provides ease in traveling and doing business since Puerto Rico is a US territory yet has the allure of the Caribbean.”

The WTTC Global Summit will be held from April 21-23, 2020 at the District San Juan, a five-acre hospitality and entertainment district opening later this year. The complex is currently being designed and poised to be the most vibrant and popular setting for events, conventions and performances in the Caribbean.

Puerto Rico’s unique history and offerings set it apart as a global destination, including a fusion of Taino Indian, Spanish and African cultures, seen vividly in the food, music and architecture. Found on the Island is El Yunque, the only tropical rainforest in the U.S. forest system; three of the world’s five bioluminescence bays; and El Monstruo, the longest zip line in the Americas.

Bahia Principe Hotels & Resorts, the leading all-inclusive resort brand with properties in the Caribbean and Spain, is running its signature two-week sales campaign, the ‘Happiness Sale’, with exclusive discounts and special offers on stays in the Dominican Republic, Mexico, Jamaica, Spain and the Canary Islands.

The sale offers travellers discounts of up to 30%. Additionally, one child (0-12 years) can travel for free on stays from 1 May to 31 October 2019, depending on the destination. The sale is valid on all bookings made between 9 and 16 April 2019 for travel until 31 October 2019 on all Bahia Principe properties, with options for families, couples or large groups.

The sale applies on Bahia Principe’s wide portfolio of properties such as the new Luxury Bahia Principe Fantasia Tenerife in Tenerife and the newly refurbished Luxury Bahia Principe Ambar in the Dominican Republic, as well as the brand’s exclusive four-star Sunlight properties located in Tenerife and Mallorca. These include, the Sunlight Bahia Principe Coral Playa, the Sunlight Bahia Principe Costa Adeje, the Sunlight Bahia Principe San Felipe, and the Sunlight Bahia Principe Tenerife. Each property offers an exclusive experience for travellers of all-ages, with stunning views, as well as traditional Spanish gastronomy, spas, and a variety of rooms suitable for families, as well as groups of friends and couples.

“As summer approaches, the Happiness Sale allows travellers to enjoy an all-inclusive experience in the Caribbean, Spain and Mexico at a very attractive price,” said Lluisa Salord, senior vice president of global sales, contracting and distribution of Grupo Piñero “This exciting deal is our brand’s signature promotion, demonstrating our commitment to providing holiday-seekers with unlimited ways to experience happiness, featuring remarkable service, high-end facilities and top amenities.”

In 2018, the brand announced a portfolio rebranding and segmented properties into experiences including:  Treasure – featuring hotels in exceptional and off-the-beaten-path locations, Escape – a sophisticated experience for adults only, and Family & Friends – for those that seek a wholesome experience. By taking advantage of the Happiness Sale travel window, travellers can plan their holiday and book a stay at any of Bahia Principe’s paradisiacal locations to enjoy a curated experience to their travel preferences.

The final discount is subject to the travel period, destination and booking channel.

 

The St. Kitts Ministry of Tourism and the St. Kitts Tourism Authority are delighted to announce that St. Kitts and its Sustainable Development Council has won a prestigious Tourism for Tomorrow Award from the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC), presented at their Global Summit in Seville, Spain, headlined by keynote speaker Barack Obama. Taking home the Destination Stewardship Award for 2019, St. Kitts is now officially recognized as a global leader in sustainable tourism.

“It is a great honour to be recognized by the WTTC alongside organizations pursuing leading practices in sustainable development,” said the Hon. Lindsay F.P. Grant, Minister of Tourism for St. Kitts & Nevis. “Our Sustainable Development Council facilitates partnerships and relationships among public and private sectors as well as among all people in St. Kitts, to ensure that development in our destination preserves and benefits our environment, culture, heritage and community livelihoods. We hope this preservation will lead to long-term tourism growth and allow people to enjoy our beautiful island for many years to come.”

WTTC’s Tourism for Tomorrow (T4T) Awards are the world’s top accolade in sustainable tourism; they recognize the highest ethical standards in the sector and are respected by industry leaders, governments and international media alike. The Awards are aimed at recognizing best practices in sustainable tourism within the industry globally, based upon the principles of environmentally friendly operations; support for the protection of cultural and natural heritage; and direct benefits to the social and economic well-being of local people in travel destinations around the world.

Now in their 15th year, the Tourism for Tomorrow Awards took place at a special ceremony during the WTTC Global Summit in Seville, Spain, held April 3-4, 2019, to celebrate inspirational, world-changing tourism initiatives from around the globe. The Destination Stewardship Award recognizes organizations helping a place to thrive and bring forward its unique identity for the benefit of its residents and tourists. Accepting the award for St. Kitts was Permanent Secretary (Ag.) in the Ministry of Tourism Mrs. Carlene Henry-Morton and Assistant Secretary Mrs. Diannille Taylor-Williams.

Permanent Secretary Morton noted, “In accepting the award on behalf of St. Kitts, it is important to acknowledge the team whose hard work laid the foundation for our sustainability program. Particular recognition goes to the Sustainable Development Council, chaired by Assistant Secretary Diannille Taylor-Williams, the Department of Marine Resources, the St. Kitts Sea Turtle Monitoring Network, the Heart of St. Kitts Foundation, the staff of the Ministry of Tourism and the St. Kitts Tourism Authority.”

The 2019 WTTC Tourism for Tomorrow Award Winners are highly commended and recognized for business practices of the highest standards that balance the needs of ‘people, planet and profits’ within the Travel & Tourism sector. Award winners promote inclusive growth and illustrate a strong commitment to supporting change and transformation in business practices and consumer behavior towards a more environmentally conscious sector.

The Awards are judged by a panel of independent experts, including academics, business leaders, NGO and governmental representatives who narrowed down the list of 183 applications to just fifteen finalists. The three-stage judging process included a thorough review of all applications, followed by on-site evaluations of the Finalists and their initiative. The Winner of each category was determined by the WTTC Tourism for Tomorrow Awards 2019 Winners’ Selection Committee. WTTC represents the global private sector of Travel & Tourism. Its Global Summit is the most important event in the sector worldwide each year.

 

The Cardamom Tented Camp in Cambodia joined fellow finalists to salute five tourism projects that were announced as global winners at the World Travel and Tourism Council’s 2019 Tourism for Tomorrow Award ceremony in Seville, in Spain.   Cardamom Tented Camp was a finalist in the Changemaker category along with Kelompok Peduli Lingkungan Belitung (KPLB, Indonesia) and SEE Turtles (USA), which was announced as winner. The category was created to recognise a tourism-related initiative that is fighting the illegal wildlife trade through sustainable tourism.   The other four 2019 Tourism for Tomorrow winners were Awamaki (Peru) in the Social Impact category,St. Kitts Sustainable Destination Council (St. Kitts and Nevis) in Destination Stewardship, Bucuti & Tara Beach Resort (Aruba) in Climate Action, and Lemon Tree Hotels (India) in Investing in People.

There were 180 entries from 70 countries for the awards.

“It was a great honour for Cardamom Tented Camp to be recognised with 14 other inspirational sustainable tourism initiatives from around the world,” said Willem Niemeijer, CEO of YAANA Ventures and operator of the conservation lodge in Cambodia, who attended the award ceremony in Seville.   “Meeting fellow finalists here in Spain has been a hugely uplifting experience. It reaffirms our commitment at Cardamom Tented Camp and YAANA Ventures to keep leading by example and championing sustainable tourism as a force for good,” he said.   The formation of the camp in 2017 was made possible by a unique partnership between Wildlife Alliance, the Golden Triangle Asian Elephant Foundation (supported by Minor Hotels), and the camp’s operator, YAANA Ventures.   Since opening in November 2017, the Cardamom Tented Camp has integrated the role of 12 forest rangers who protect a 180 sq km (70 sq miles) lowland forest concession in Botum Sakor National Park into the guest experience.   The rangers take turns to lead conservation tourism hikes through the forest. They show tourists confiscated traps, mesh and weapons used by poachers. In turn, the camp helps the forest rangers with salary support and physical amenities such as solar power generators at ranger stations.   Due to the rangers work, the illegal wildlife trade has been massively reduced in the forest which is now seeing a resurgence in formerly-traded mammals such as the endangered clouded leopard, sun bear, northern pig-tailed macaque, pangolin, the Nicobar crab-eating macaque, and the (extremely shy) pileated gibbon, to name a few.   Since opening, the Cardamom Tented Camp has operated under the slogan, “Your Stay Keeps the Forest Standing.”   In March, Cardamom Tented Camp announced an innovative 5D/4N “Adventurer” package for ecotourists seeking a meaningful conservation experience in Southeast Asia. It also announced a 3D/2N “Jungle Camp” package using tentsile tree tents.

 

A wave of climate protest is sweeping the planet, and those of us working in tourism would do well to reflect quickly on how it will impact our industry, and what we should do.

Children across the world skiped school to protest at us adults’ inability to ensure them a liveable future. We don’t know how many exactly took to the streets for sure, but in total it may well have been in the 100,000s. The website FridaysForFuture lists the number of countries where actions were announced – over 1209 actions, in 92 countries.

Whatever the total turn out, the scale that the movement continues to grow at is phenomenal. It only began last August, when one 15-year old girl, Greta Thunberg, sat by herself on the footsteps of the Swedish Parliament. She has continued to do this every Friday since, with more and more children – and adults – joining her both there and elsewhere around the world.

So what should those working in tourism do? There has never been a better time to get priorities straight.

Last month several prominent scientists and academics – including the climatologist Kevin Anderson, who was keynote speaker at World Responsible Tourism Day in 2015, and Sir Tim Smit, Co-Founder of the Eden Project, signed an open letter “in solidarity with the children going on school climate strike”.

As Professor Anderson wrote on Twitter; “In just a few months a new global constituency has emerged, whose voices are loud and demands cogent. It’s up to the rest of us to listen to, engage with and then act for & with them. We owe them thanks for saying what most of us know, but have been too afraid to acknowledge.”

Children want the chance to enjoy the world in ways we have long taken for granted and built the world’s largest industry upon. Speak with (and more importantly listen to) them at home, or maybe share this post or add comments on your social media. Wherever our children are talking together – let them know that we will work with them and for them to try to ensure that future. Ask them what they want us to do.

Remember how scared you were of nuclear war when first you heard of the possibility. Imagine being a child, and learning about climate change. Nuclear War would only have happened if someone did something stupid. Climate Breakdown only doesn’t happen if we all stop.

Second, there need not see this strike in exclusion, but as part of the ‘new global constituency’ that Anderson refers to. In Amsterdam, over 40,000 people marched people marched to protest climate collapse. There’s much more to come. The Children’s Climate Strike will be followed by a global ‘week of action’ by the Extinction Rebellion, a loose – and also rapidly growing – collective of people across the world using direct action to disrupt daily life and urge governments to “reduce carbon emissions to net zero by 2025.”

On March 11, legal proceedings against Heathrow’s Third Runway opened in the High Court in London. Since, research by London School of Economics’ Grantham Research Institute into the corporate disclosures of 20 of the world’s largest listed airlines found that their long-term targets appear to fall short of the Paris Agreement goal of limiting global warming to below 2°C.

According to the new research – backed by over $13 trillion of investors such as BNP Paribas and Legal & General Investment Management: ‘None of the 20 airlines has a target that clearly specifies how it will reduce its own flight emissions after 2025.’

Last year the horizon was brought much closer, with the UN IPCC report stating that we had 12 (now 11) years to radically decarbonise our entire economy. What these strikes, protests, rebellions, court cases and other urgent actions should make clear is that we can’t wait a decade – we need to make the changes now. If I want to be 10kg lighter in 12 months, it’s best not to put off starting my diet for 11.

As individuals, as companies, as destinations, there needs to be commitment to a path of removing carbon from our core operations so that at the very least we are adding no more CO2 to the atmosphere by 2030, and ideally we are drawing it back down into the trees, plants and soil where it belongs. Plot your path from now until then. And realise then that the quicker we go, the cheaper and more effective it will be in the long run.

It’s going to be very difficult, especially for aviation – so we will need to work together. As Andrew Simms, Coordinator of the Rapid Transition Alliance and another signatory to the open letter I mentioned above wrote last week: “The question of whether something is ‘ecologically workable’ needs to dethrone questions of whether something is economically or ‘politically workable’.” Like the children, we all need to get our priorities straight.

If you start now, you stand a chance. Children might get to enjoy their holidays in 2050. Now there’s a long term goal worth striving for.