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.
Vegas’s Billion-Dollar Secrets – What They Don’t Want Tourists to Know
Visit Florida’s New CEO Bryan Griffin Shares His Vision for State Tourism with Graham
Chicago’s Tourism Renaissance: Graham Interviews Kristin Reynolds of Choose Chicago
Graham Talks with Cassandra McCauley of MMGY NextFactor About the Latest Industry Research
Destination International’s Andreas Weissenborn: Research, Advocacy, and Destination Impact
Graham and Don Welsh Discuss the Success of Destinations International’s Annual Conference
Graham and CEO Andre Kiwitz on Ventura Travel’s UK Move and Recruitment for the Role
Brett Laiken and Graham Discuss Florida’s Tourism Momentum and Global Appeal
Graham and Elliot Ferguson on Positioning DC as a Cultural and Inclusive Global Destination
Graham Talks to Fraser Last About His England-to-Ireland Trek for Mental Health Awareness
Kathy Nelson Tells Graham About the Honour of Hosting the World Cup and Kansas City’s Future
Graham McKenzie on Sir Richie Richardson’s Dual Passion for Golf and His Homeland, Antigua
ADS PRO 
Qatar Airways offers flexible payment options for European travellers
Airlines suspend Madagascar services following unrest and army revolt
Digital Travel Reporter of the Mirror totally seduced by HotelPlanner AI Travel Agent
Strike action set to cause travel chaos at Brussels airports
All eyes on Qatar as Qatar Airways leads a season of global events