LATASeminar07

The Latin American Travel Association Seminar The UK Market Trends, Sustainability and Responsibility: 

The Latin American Travel Association Seminar The UK Market Trends, Sustainability and Responsibility 12 September 2007

Presentation given by: 

Presentation given by Edward Paine Chairman of LATA and owner of Last Frontiers Claire Antell Executive Secretary of LATA

Overview of Seminar: 

Overview of Seminar Introduction to LATA UK Travel Trends Sustainability and giving something back… LATA Foundation Our shared legal responsibilities

What is LATA and what are our objectives?: 

What is LATA and what are our objectives? Non-profit making trade association of over 240 members We aim to: Stimulate growth of travel to Latin America Increase public awareness Develop media profile Provide a forum for members

What do we do?: 

What do we do? Produce an annual consumer guide to Latin America www.lata.org Trade and consumer shows Training and fam trips Voice for the Latin American travel industry Lobby governments and Foreign Office Press activities Give advice to new companies as to how to market in the UK (including Scotland, Wales and Ireland)

So how can LATA help you to promote Latin America in the UK?: 

So how can LATA help you to promote Latin America in the UK? LATA provides knowledge and insight on the UK travel marketplace Immediate access to key operators Advice on destination marketing and promotions Access to key UK consumer and trade media

UK Travel Trends – Government statistics: 

UK Travel Trends – Government statistics Good news is that… Despite higher interest rates in the UK Visits abroad by UK residents increased by 2 per cent during the 12 months ending June 2007, from 68.1 million to 69.5 million. Over this period, visits to Europe increased 1 per cent (to 54.7 million), visits to North America increased 2 per cent (to 4.7 million) and visits to other parts of the world rose by 9 per cent (to 10 million)…

UK Long Haul Travel Trends: 

UK Long Haul Travel Trends Of these 10 Million trips 4.2 million trips to the USA 1.5 million trips to Asia 980,000 trips to the Caribbean 914,000 trips to India 563,000 trips to Australia 519,000 trips to South Africa 477,000 trips to Dubai and the Arab Emirate 492,000 trips (5%) to all of Latin America     So plenty of potential for growth!  

Iberia Statistics Jan-Aug 2007: 

Iberia Statistics Jan-Aug 2007 Between Jan-Aug 2007 seat sales between UK and Latin America increased by 2% to Rio de Janeiro 3% to Quito 5% to Caracas 6% to Bogotá 7% to Havana 9% to Lima 15% to Mexico City 16% to Buenos Aires 16% to Sao Paulo

Our LATA Survey Results show:: 

Our LATA Survey Results show: LATA UK Tour Operator Passenger Numbers

LATA Survey Results 2007: 

LATA Survey Results 2007

LATA’s perception of trends: 

LATA’s perception of trends 2007 Results show Argentina has seen the strongest growth over the last 12 months, with Brazil losing out (flight problems did not help). Only 61% of members said the last 12 months were better than expected, so the high expectations of 2006 were not entirely fulfilled. 80% said they expect the next 12 months to be better than the last. The average holiday price continues to rise.

Why do certain countries succeed from a marketing perspective?: 

Why do certain countries succeed from a marketing perspective? Looking at Argentina, Brazil, Mexico, Ecuador, Peru and Chile we have: Easier and more frequent air access Quite effective tourist boards Good PR coverage Good sales material and destination training Peru, Brazil and Mexico all recent winners in the New Seven Wonders of the World

What are some up and coming destinations?: 

What are some up and coming destinations? Panama Nicaragua Colombia Because more money is being invested and there is more publicity about these destinations in the UK

And future trends?: 

And future trends? Already a move against the term ecotourism and ‘greenwashing’ Instead an increased demand for : responsible tourism sustainable tourism community tourism e.g language schools/ethical volunteering/gap years/school trips owner-managed haciendas/boutique hotels community-managed eco-lodges

Slide16: 

Questions?

Sustainability Overview: 

Sustainability Overview We will discuss the results of our recent LATA Green Questionnaire leading into a presentation of the new LATA Foundation. The survey followed much debate in the UK about carbon emissions, global warming and the responsibilities of the travel industry.

LATA Green Survey Summary: 

LATA Green Survey Summary   Tourism is a positive – wilderness areas have been preserved, wildlife is protected and traditional communities and local cultures have benefited thanks to tourism. Fly less and stay longer- rather than several lo-cost city breaks to Europe We need to tackle carbon emissions - a combination of the options offered is needed, on international level. LATA members use a wide range of of carbon offsetting partners Other key issues are recycling, wildlife protection, water conservation, pollution alleviation

So where do we go from here?: 

So where do we go from here? There is a demand for better practises to minimise the impact of tourism and improve the quality of life for local residents Most LATA members already support charities We want to give something back which has led to the idea of our own LATA Foundation….

LATA Foundation: 

LATA Foundation Our aim is to give you all a tourism and Latin America-focused charitable organisation that you can support and be associated with, as part of your own responsible tourism initiatives. Any suggestions and comments will be most welcome at the end of the presentation.

LATA Foundation: 

LATA Foundation Our objectives are: To promote sustainable development for the benefit of the public of Latin America by: the preservation, conservation and the protection of the environment and the prudent use of natural resources; or the relief of poverty and the improvement of the conditions of life in socially and economically disadvantaged communities; or the promotion of sustainable means of achieving economic growth and regeneration.

How will we do this?: 

How will we do this? Achieve charitable status Identify projects Raise money through membership and fund-raising events both in UK and Latin America Work together to give something back to Latin America.

Slide23: 

Questions?

LATA Responsibility Overview: 

LATA Responsibility Overview The 1992 European Package Directive states that operators must take all reasonable steps and exercise due diligence towards the welfare of their passengers and ensure that their local suppliers meet local regulations regarding Health and Safety. The UK has traditionally led the way in this area, and we should all strive to raise standards throughout Latin America. Health and Safety is a non-competitive issue LATA has helped establish a working Health and Safety (H&S) group

Some facts to consider: 

Some facts to consider Several LATA members have dealt with serious H&S cases over the past year. In the UK a claimant has 3 years to bring a claim to court (longer for children). Criminal sanctions for negligence can be bought against directors and managers of tour operators. The largest tour operators (First Choice, Thomas Cook, Kuoni) use Standards commissioned by the Federation of Tour Operators. These will often be un-necessarily high for Latin America, and the only legal requirement is to obey local regulations.

Health and Safety Challenges in Latin America: 

Health and Safety Challenges in Latin America Often either local regulations do not exist (or are difficult to establish) or standards are too low. In many cases UK tour operators work with local ground handlers so their contract is with the ground handler and not the suppliers direct. The ground handler therefore has a duty to be involved in this process but their involvement does not release or dilute the Tour Operator’s legal obligation towards their passengers. We believe that many ground handlers and hotels in Latin America do not have public liability insurance. Therefore, the insurers of UK tour operators do not have another insurer to approach (to share the financial burden of a valid claim).

Health and Safety Audits?: 

Health and Safety Audits? Due to the complexity and time consuming nature of this area we strongly urge LATA members to work closely together and share information wherever possible. Any form of health and safety audit is a two-edged sword. It does flag up potential problems but it also leaves the operator more exposed if it is proved that certain information was not acted upon. If H&S is well coordinated it can provide a defendant with a sound basis for a good defence, improve standards and travellers’ enjoyment overall which in turn, should improve passenger numbers and increase future revenue. To hire H&S consultants to carry out full physical audits is very expensive but smaller LATA UK tour operator members do not have the resources to have dedicated qualified staff to look after health and safety (to carry out inspections and follow up on self-audit information etc).

What does LATA recommend?: 

What does LATA recommend? A LATA H&S training seminar in London for UK operators is planned A LATA health and safety consumer leaflet is being produced (to be enclosed by UK operators within travel packs) Would ground handlers be open to the idea of training a member of staff in health and safety with guidance from UK tour operators (to carry out regular hotel inspections etc)? The possibility of issuing health and safety guidelines to all LATA members is currently being considered.

Slide29: 

Questions? The role of insurance Waivers – should you use them?

The Latin American Travel Association: 

The Latin American Travel Association 12 September 2007