WTO to hold emergency session in Phuket
The World Tourism Organisation is to hold an emergency session of its executive council in Phuket.
The meeting on the Thai island which was badly affected by the tsunami will be held on January 31-February 1.
All 29 member countries of the executive council from all regions of the world will gather to rally support and to assess the situation in order to adopt a plan of action for the destinations concerned.
A WTO spokesman said the decision to choose Phuket as the venue for the special meeting was “to demonstrate the solidarity and support of the entire international tourism community to the affected countries”.
He added: “It is symbolic for WTO to meet in the destination that was most affected, yet, for the most part is still operational.”
Meanwhile, BDL Hotels, which operates the Crowne Plaza, Holiday Inn, Express by Holiday Inn and Ramada Encore brands in the UK under licence from InterContinental Hotels, expects to raise at least £15,000 towards the DEC Tsunami Earthquake Appeal in a week.
The Glasgow-based group is to donate £1 for every room sold across its 17-hotel portfolio in the week starting on Monday (January 10).
A spokesman said: “All guests will be told of the donation to the fund and will be invited to match it by adding to their bill or contributing to a collection on the front desk of each of 17 hotels.”
Report by Phil Davies
Phil Davies
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