AITO: First Choice move is a “massive blow” to sustainability
Sunday, 12 Apr, 2011
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TUI UK’s decision to have First Choice sell only all-inclusive holidays has been slammed by the Association of Independent Tour Operators (AITO), which called it “extremely disappointing” for many countries.
But chairman Derek Moore was defiant that the move, which will put commercial pressure on rival tour operators to go down a similar route, will not change the face of tour operating in Britain.
He said: “Does this announcement mean a sea-change for the UK travel industry? In my view, absolutely not. The only people affected by this are other mainstream companies who compete with First Choice.
“AITO companies are not in the market for the same customers. However, it’s extremely disappointing for many destinations as First Choice claims there is no need for the holidaymaker to spend any money when abroad.”
He added: “This means a local restaurant outside the gates of the all-inclusive hotel might as well put up the ‘closed’ sign right now, which is a sad state of affairs.
“The First Choice announcement is good for the budget-conscious tourist, disinterested and incurious about their destination and who cares little or nothing for their host country.”
Parent company TUI announced its decision to have First Choice sell only all inclusives from 2012 on Friday, claiming that two thirds of the operation was already selling this type of holiday anyway.
The news was met with concern from environmentalists and those fighting the corner for sustainability but TUI says it is a “myth” that all-inclusive holiday makers never leave their resorts.
In a statement, Moore called the switch a “massive blow” to sustainability which ignored the “moral aspect to a holiday where you give something back to your host community rather than simply contribute to the coffers of a holiday giant.”
by Dinah Hatch
Dinah
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