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| PATA Agrees Range of Green Initiatives |
Delegates at the inaugural Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) CEO Challenge agreed to collaborate on a range of initiatives to confront climate change, such as Banyan Tree's green audit program, Intrepid Travel's project management plan and Expedia's World Heritage Alliance. "The CEO Challenge successfully facilitated the sharing of these valuable, practical initiatives," the Association's President and CEO Peter de Jong told the 236 industry leaders during the closing session. "It has really delivered on our goals, with so many good ideas, innovative programs and practical solutions, and, most importantly, opportunities for collaborative action." More than 350 people, including officials of the Thai Ministry of Tourism and Sports, registered media and accompanying persons, engaged in the day-and-a-half program. While summarizing the outcomes of the PATA CEO Challenge, event facilitator Rohit Talwar of Fast Future suggested there was a simple action plan for any leader of a travel and tourism organization:- 1) Start a discussion with your management team and Board to agree on principles and priorities for a climate change strategy 2) Create a compelling vision to ensure internal and external stakeholder support 3) Conduct an environmental audit; set targets; measure, verify and record results (There are specialized service providers, such as Green Globe, that can assist) 4) Communicate your environmental action plan with internal and external stakeholders 5) Where emission reductions are impractical, offer optional offset charges to your customers and provide adequate incentives for their take-up "As the President and CEO of PATA, I now give you our commitment that we will carry forward the momentum generated by this event," said Mr de Jong. "We will develop our website to create an information portal for continuing the dialogue on best practice and collaborative action and we will upload all the presentations and outcomes from the CEO Challenge, with edited video clips of key sessions." "We also plan to produce a highlights package — including edited film clips — which can be used by PATA members, PATA Chapters and other partner organizations to share CEO Challenge outcomes with new audiences." Mr de Jong also announced that PATA would formally endorse the declaration from the aviation and environment summit in Geneva, signed by global aviation leaders including the International Air Transport Association (IATA). |
Health advice for travellers E1-11 Change(See below)
CANARIES GET NEW PERCH! (Below)
B.A. TO SLASH EUROPEAN FLIGHT PRICE
10 January 2006
British Airways is to take on the budget airlines and trigger a
European air fares war by slashing one-way tickets to as little as £25.
The airline's new boss, Willie Walsh, is due to announce details of a BA 'no-frills' service today,
It will be centred on Manchester and Birmingham, effectively replacing its loss making Citiexpress services.
The airline is also axing the Club Europe cabin for business travellers, creating a single economy class
on all shorthaul European flights to and from its regional airports - that is, outside the South-East.
It is understood the flights will continue to serve food but it will be sold on the aircraft.
There will be 12 destinations from Birmingham - starting at £25 one-way, including taxes -
including Paris, Madrid, Barcelona, Milan, Brussels and Stuttgart.
Another nine routes from Manchester include Oslo, Berlin, Vienna, Milan and Madrid and there is a service
from Edinburgh to Paris as well as flights from Bristol to the Continent
The BA off- shoot will also operate on certain domestic routes between Manchester, Birmingham,
Glasgow and Bristol. All changes will take effect beginning on 26 March 2006
The airline will retain the Club Europe cabin with associated higher fares on
European flights to and from Heathrow and Gatwick.
A BA insider said: 'The £25 starting fare is the headline price. This is very much a cutthroat battle.
''The intention is that this will establish a new product and service in the public's mind -
operating from regional airports".
''People will see the new service as a head-on competitor with Ryanair, easyJet and other firms
like Jet2 and FlyBe.''
The price of £25 looks cheap beside BA's past fares between the UK and Europe.
The current cheapest deal with the airline on the Manchester-Paris route of £44 each way.
However it still does not match the cheapest headline figures offered by budget airlines -
Ryanair is currently selling seats for as little as 99p one way, plus taxes, fees and charges,
which take the figures towards £20.
Jet2 is selling seats from Manchester to Geneva from £6 plus taxes and fees and Flybe currently has
a 'seat sale' starting at £18.99 one way. Current easyJet deals boast 40 per cent off ticket prices.
A Ryanair spokesman said: ''It will be interesting to see what they come up with.
The truth is that BA has been running away - staying out of our way -
because they can't compete on price with us.
Whatever BA does on pricing, we will be cheaper and operating to and from the same or very similar airports.''
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CANARIES GET NEW AIRPORTS!
Spain will spend EUR2.9 billion (USD$3.5 billion) between now and 2020 upgrading the airports of
one of its best known tourist regions, the Canary Islands, the government said on
Monday. 09 MARCH 2006
Work will be carried out at all eight airports on the archipelago, which is just off the coast of Africa -
particularly popular with German and British sun-seekers.
The plan includes terminal extensions, new runways and extra parking spaces
This section tells you how to get medical treatment abroad, including information on the European
Health Insurance card, or EHIC - the replacement for the E111.
On 31 December 2005, your E111 will cease to be valid.
FROM THE UK DEPATEMENT OF HEALTH
From 1 January 2006, you will need a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC)
to receive healthcare that becomes necessary during your visit to an EEA country or Switzerland.
Every year, people living in the UK go on more than 60 million trips abroad.
Find out how this section can help you have a healthy journey –
and to deal successfully with any medical emergencies that might happen.
In most countries around the world you will have to pay for treatment so travellers are
strongly advised to take out private health insurance.
The UK has reciprocal healthcare agreements with some countries, which enables travellers to receive
free or low cost emergency care.
For EHIC applications, contact:
EHIC Applications
PO Box 1115
Newcastle upon Tyne
NE99 1SW
www.ehic.org.uk (Opens EHIC website window)
Tel: 0845 606 2030
From outside the UK: +44 191 203 5555
www.ehic.org.uk (opens new window)
THIS SITE CAN ALSO BE USED FOR FULL LIST OF RECIPROCAL HEALTH ARRANGEMENTS
