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Kenya tour operator UNIGLOBE Let’s Go Travel attains global certification for sustainable practices

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UNIGLOBE Travel International member UNIGLOBE Let’s Go Travel in Nairobi, Kenya, has become one of the first tour operators in East Africa to be Travelife Certified. Accredited by the Global Sustainable Tourism Council, Travelife for Tour Operators is one of the world’s leading green certification programs.

UNIGLOBE Let’s Go Travel is also a five-time winner of the Ecotourism Kenya Eco-Warrior Award, which recognizes outstanding contributions to ecotourism practice in Kenya.

 “Everyone in our organization is passionate about preserving this magical country for future generations,” says owner Alan Dixson. “From prohibiting single use plastics to booking tours using only eco-friendly hotels and suppliers, our commitment to sustainability is embedded in everything we do.”

Says UNIGLOBE Travel founder and CEO U. Gary Charlwood, “In a region that is largely dependent on tourism, it is important that we work with local organizations and government to keep it sustainable. UNIGLOBE Let’s Go Travel sets the bar for other tour operators, and we are proud to have them in our global family.”

UNIGLOBE Let’s Go Travel offers these tips for travelling responsibly:   

Book with an eco-friendly tour operator

There are literally thousands of safari tour companies in Kenya. Look for these signs that an operator is committed to tourism sustainability and responsibility:

  • A member of the Kenya Association of Tour Operators (KATO)
  • A member of Ecotourism Kenya
  • Travelife Sustainability certification for Tour Operators

Take personal responsibility

  • Respect and obey all game laws and regulations, and report companies who ignore them.
  • Keep a distance of at least 25 metres from wildlife and don’t pressure your driver to approach animals too closely.
  • Avoid making loud noises that may disturb animals.
  • Never give food to any animal in the wild.
  • Take photos instead of picking plants and flowers.
  • Take out what you pack in. Don’t leave garbage behind.
  • Support local farmers and artisans by buying locally crafted souvenirs.
  • Do not buy, or trade for, any articles covered under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) including ivory, turtle products, rhino horn, furs, butterflies and many plant species.
  • Use biodegradable soaps and beauty products, and reusable packaging.

UNIGLOBE Let’s Go Travel does not support any tours or activities that condone unethical animal interactions.

About UNIGLOBE Travel International

Working globally to serve clients locally across more than 60 countries, UNIGLOBE Travel International leverages current technologies and preferred supplier pricing to save clients time and money on business and leisure travel services. Since 1981, corporate and leisure travellers have depended on the UNIGLOBE brand to deliver services beyond expectations. UNIGLOBE Travel was founded by U. Gary Charlwood, CEO and has its world headquarters in Vancouver, B.C., Canada. Annual system-wide sales volume is $5.0+ billion.

Media contact: [email protected]

About UNIGLOBE Let’s Go Travel

Let’s Go Travel Uniglobe is one of East Africa’s best known and long established Tour Operators and Travel Agents, started in 1979 by Alan Dixson, who has managed the company ever since. It is IATA accredited. Let’s Go Travel Uniglobe is a Corporate destination management company giving hands on professional, personalized attention, with cutting edge technological support. Also, Let’s Go promotes sustainable tours, wildlife safaris and adventure holidays in Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Rwanda, all of which are part of East Africa. The company is a five-time holder of the Ecotourism award and is Travelife certified for best sustainable tourism practises. 

Media contact: [email protected]

Minister Bartlett applauds winners of Jamaica Tourist Board’s Annual Awards at Jamaica Travel Market

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Jamaica’s Tourism Minister, Hon. Edmund Bartlett has applauded the eight tour operators who won big at the Jamaica Tourist Board’s annual awards at the Jamaica Travel Market gala dinner yesterday.

The awards recognise the UK and Nordic tour operators and agencies that have achieved the largest growth in room night production to Jamaica during 2018 and were presented by Minister Bartlett.

“These tour operators are the faces and voices that help to sell destination Jamaica in this our third largest source market. Their consistent work through marketing the island has ensured that Jamaica remains top of mind as a potential vacation spot,” said Minister Bartlett.

Winners for the largest business growth during 2018 were:

UK Tour Operator – British Airways Holidays
UK Travel Agency/Tour Operator – Lotus / Dial A Flight
UK Online Tour Operator – Love Holidays
UK Charter Tour Operator – TUI UK
Nordic Tour Operator – Ving
UK Long Haul Specialist Tour Operator – Kenwood Travel
UK Caribbean Specialist Travel Company – Sackville Travel
‘Your Choice Award’ – Favourite UK Tour Operator – Virgin Holidays (Scott Edwards)

Minister Bartlett added that, “We gladly acknowledge our dedicated industry partners who have been increasing business to Jamaica and this year we have seen a record number of UK visitors travelling to Jamaica.”

In addition, to the JTB’s annual awards, Jamaican hoteliers and tourism companies voted for their favourite UK tour operator in the Jamaica Tourism Partners ‘Your Choice’ award category. On the night, to raise money for Jamaica Tourist Board’s chosen charity partner, the Sandals Foundation, one lucky winner walked away with holiday to Jamaica courtesy of Sandals and British Airways.

Minister Bartlett is accompanied by Mr. Donovan White, Director of Tourism and will return to the island on September 30, 2019.

MEDIA CONTACT: Jamaica Ministry of Tourism, Corporate Communications, 64 Knutsford Boulevard, Kingston 5, Tel: 920-4926-30, Fax: 920-4944

Malta to host US Tour Operators Association spring 2020 Out-of-Country Board Meeting

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Malta has been selected as the host destination for United States Tour Operators Association (USTOA) annual Out-of-Country Board Meeting to take place in Spring 2020. Malta won the bid in a unanimous vote announced by USTOA Board Chairman, Dana Santucci, Vice President of Development, EF Education First. Turkish Airlines will be the official USTOA Malta Board Meeting air carrier; the global carrier that flies to more destinations and countries than any other airline in the world will provide flights for attendees and a two-day stopover in Istanbul will be included in the event program.     

Michelle Buttigieg, Malta Tourism Authority (MTA) Representative North America said, “Since MTA rejoined USTOA five years ago, the number of USTOA tour operators who have added Malta to their itineraries and those who are expanding their Malta tour product, has grown from five to more than 30 in 2019. Hosting the USTOA Out-of-Country Board Meeting will provide a great opportunity for the Board members to experience for themselves why Malta has become so popular for the North American traveler.”   

“USTOA tour operator members, along with the media, have widely recognized that Malta is definitely a country to be seen and heard from,” said Terry Dale, USTOA President & CEO. Dale added, “Malta’s proactive presence in the US market is making a huge difference in the minds of tour operators as well as consumers. The Out-of-Country Board Meeting in Malta will provide all the tour operators with an opportunity to experience first-hand why this hidden gem of the Mediterranean, is definitely trending in the US & Canadian travel market.” 

Crystal Lagoon, Malta – Photo – ViewingMalta.com

Malta tourism from North America has grown dramatically in the past few years. In the first quarter of 2019 alone, there was close to a 40% increase from just the US market over the same period of the previous year. In addition to Malta being a safe destination, and English speaking, Buttigieg attributes much of this growing popularity to several factors. “One is certainly due to the fact that Malta’s capital, Valletta, was named a European Capital of Culture in 2018,” said Buttigieg. “Another major factor, especially for the North American market, is the expansion and growth of luxury hotels in the past five years both with the well-known chains as well as with the opening of new luxury boutique hotels that were former Palazzos. Malta has focused on a strong consumer promotional push, resulting in major travel consumer media coverage, as well as taking a proactive approach with the travel professionals including USTOA members.” 

Turkish Airlines, an associate USTOA member, will be the official host air carrier for the USTOA Out-of-Country Board Meeting in Malta. “Turkish Airlines provides excellent connections to Malta from its nine US gateways,” said Mr. Cenk Ocal, General Manager, New York, Turkish Airlines.  He added “Turkish Airlines has already co-hosted with Malta Tourism Authority a high level Tour Operator familiarization trip four years ago with great success. We are confident that the USTOA Out-of-Country Board Meeting will also yield great results by providing an opportunity for those tour operators who have never been to Malta, to discover the easy access via Turkish Airlines, the diversity of the tourism product and the special attraction that the destination has for American travelers!” 

For more articles about Malta, click here.

About Malta

The sunny islands of Malta, in the middle of the Mediterranean Sea, are home to a most remarkable concentration of intact built heritage, including the highest density of UNESCO World Heritage Sites in any nation-state anywhere.  Valletta built by the proud Knights of St. John is one of the UNESCO sights and was a European Capital of Culture for 2018. Malta’s patrimony in stone ranges from the oldest free-standing stone architecture in the world, to one of the British Empire’s most formidable defensive systems, and includes a rich mix of domestic, religious and military architecture from the ancient, medieval and early modern periods. With superbly sunny weather, attractive beaches, a thriving nightlife and 7,000 years of intriguing history, there is a great deal to see and do.

MEDIA CONTACTS:

Malta Tourism Authority:

Michelle Buttigieg
Tel: (212) 213-0944
Fax: (212) 213-0938
E-mail: [email protected]

MTA US Editorial Contact:

The Bradford Group
Karen Hoffman/ Bianca Pappas
Tel: (212) 447-0027
Fax: (212) 725 8253
E-mail: [email protected]

Thomas Cook selling its travel business: Chinese investment fund interested

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Thomas Cook is the world’s oldest tour operator and was founded in Market Harborough in 1841 by businessman Thomas Cook. It started off with organized railway outings for members of the local temperance movement.

The travel company received approaches for parts of its business and the company as a whole, according to reports. The business put its airline up for sale in February and it said last month it would close 21 stores across the country and cut more than 300 jobs.

Chinese investment firm Fosun International could be a bidder for the company’s tour operating business, which runs a joint venture with Thomas Cook in China. It could be months before any formal offer is lodged, and there is no guarantee one will be made.

Thomas Cook now has annual sales of £9bn, 19 million customers a year and 22,000 staff operating in 16 countries.

In September, Thomas Cook said profits would be hit after the summer heat wave saw many take their holidays in the UK. It issued a second profit warning in November, when it said winter bookings were also down.

The shop closures will take the number of Thomas Cook outlets down to 566. It said a consultation with staff and unions had begun.

Travel News | eTurboNews

Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority, U.S. and British Authorities warn in response to terror attacks

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The Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority in a statement released urges hotels in Sri Lanka to take maximum measures to strengthen security as Hotels have been one of the main targets. Please assist us in spreading the word and let us not forget to help tourists who are currently in Sri Lanka.”

The Sri Lanka travel industry is bracing for the impact of the horrific attack Easter Sunday in the nation’s capital Colombo and in Negombo, where the airport is located.

Sri Lanka received 2.1 million tourists in 2017 and had set a target to double that number this year. Free visas to visitors from 30 countries including the U.S.,UK, EU and Thailand are part of this strategy.

Currently, Sri Lanka is quiet. It’s a curfew and all roads are closed.

The U.S. embassy raised the level of travel advisory for Sri Lanka to level 2: The embassy warned terrorist groups to continue plotting possible attacks in Sri Lanka. Terrorists may attack with little or no warning, targeting tourist locations, transportation hubs, markets/shopping malls, local government facilities, hotels, clubs, restaurants, places of worship, parks, major sporting and cultural events, educational institutions, airports, and other public areas.

The White House issued a statement, that the United States condemns in the strongest terms the outrageous terrorist attacks in Sri Lanka that have claimed so many precious lives on this Easter Sunday. Our heartfelt condolences go out to the families of the more than 200 killed and hundreds of others wounded. We stand with the Sri Lankan government and people as they bring to justice the perpetrators of these despicable and senseless acts.

In the meantime, Sri Lanka arrested 13 alleged suspects. Another attack on the airport was prevented. 215 people including foreign tourists were killed, more than 500 injured in a series of planned and coordinated attacks on Easter Sunday.

The UK Foreign Department is telling British Citizens:

On 21 April 2019 bombs were used to attack three churches and three hotels in Sri Lanka, in central Colombo; in the northern suburb of Colombo Kochchikade, and in Negombo roughly twenty miles north of Colombo; and in the east of the country in Batticaloa. There have been significant casualties. If you are in Sri Lanka and you are safe, we advise that you contact family and friends to let them know that you are safe.

If you are in Sri Lanka and have been directly affected by the attacks, please call the British High Commission in Colombo: +94 11 5390639, and select the emergency option from where you will be connected to one of our consular staff. If you’re in the UK and worried about British friends or family in Sri Lanka caught up in the incidents, please call the FCO switchboard number: 020 7008 1500 and follow the same steps.

Security has been stepped up across the island and there are reports of ongoing security operations. if you are in Sri Lanka, please follow the advice of local security authorities, hotel security staff or your tour company. The airport is operating, but with increased security checks. Some airlines are advising their passengers to arrive early for check-in, in light of increased security screening.

The Sri Lankan authorities have declared a nationwide curfew. You should limit movements until this has been lifted, following the instructions of the local authorities and your hotel/tour operator.

The Sri Lankan authorities have confirmed that, if you need to catch a flight from Colombo airport, you are able to travel to the airport provided you have both passport and ticket valid for travel that day. They have also confirmed that arrangements have been put in place for arriving passengers.

Travel News | eTurboNews