Travel warnings in brochures?
TRAVEL warnings could start appearing in brochures because the “world is fundamentally unsafe”, the Federation of Tour Operators has said. FTO secretary general Andy Cooper predicted the move could legally help companies in the event of any overseas incident.
The comments came after the FTO, ABTA and the Association of Independent Tour Operators met with Foreign Officials to discuss government plans to change the way it warns the public about terrorist threats.
While the industry is broadly supportive of the plans, concerns remains over proposals to let the public make their own judgement when there is general threat. Foreign Secretary Jack Straw said only when there is an “extreme and imminent” danger will warnings be issued against non-essential travel. All industry parties must submit written submissions by the end of tomorrow.
Cooper said: “The world is fundamentally unsafe. The time is coming when operators will put something in brochures warning that there is a threat wherever you go and that customers must take precautions. It would make sense for the industry to replicate what the Foreign Office say. It shows due diligence if you spell it out to customers.”
He predicted operators would be supportive of such a move. Although broadly backing FCO proposals, Cooper said he was uneasy about leaving decisions to the public.
“We would prefer the status quo but I would qualify that by saying that after September 11 and Bali they have erred on the side of caution,” said Cooper. “We would like to go back to how it was before Bali when the FCO was a definitive point of reference.”
However, he welcomed FCO pledges to become more transparent with its information.
Jack Straw will study submissions from the industry before a firm decision is reached.
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