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Issued: 18 January 2000
ABTA AND FIRST CHOICE IN SENSITIVE TOURISM PROMOTION
This month sees the introduction of an in-flight video on First Choice flights on Air 2000 to The Gambia, which features advice for tourists about sensitive tourism issues. This is the first initiative of its type and the Association hopes that other ABTA tour operators to The Gambia will want to participate in the scheme. If it proves to be a success ABTA hopes that similar videos can be developed for other destinations.
The idea has been developed through the collaboration of ABTA with three non-governmental organisations: Gambia Tourism Concern, VSO (Voluntary Service Overseas) and Tourism Concern. The aim of the project is to inform British tourists travelling to The Gambia about the wider cultural and development context of their destination.
By showing a short, entertaining, in-flight video, tour operators can encourage greater awareness among tourists of the needs and wishes of people in The Gambia. The hope is that the video will help tourists to be more responsive to the local environment and its communities.
For example, tourists can unwittingly offend local people by wearing revealing swimming costumes in shops and street markets. In most European beach resorts the uninhibited dress style of holidaymakers hardly draws a glance from local people, but it can cause offence in The Gambia, where majority of nationals follow the Muslim faith.
Commenting on their participation in the project Kyle Haughton, Product Director at First Choice said: "We feel it is important to help our customers to understand more about the culture of the country they are visiting on holiday. This video encourages them to explore and meet people, but to be sensitive to local customs. We also want to take a responsible approach to the countries we are helping people to visit."
ABTA Chief Executive, Ian Reynolds said: "Sensitive tourism should be welcomed by all tour operators. We need to remember that when we go on our holiday we are guests in other peoples countries. With a little care we can do a great deal to ensure that the impact we make on our hosts is a positive one. I hope that First Choices lead with this video will be taken up by other ABTA tour operators."
The Gambia was chosen as the pilot for this project. It is hoped that four other videos can be made for use within the travel industry. Three are destination specific and include Thailand and Kenya. A fifth video is planned to be generic and available to all IATA and European charter airlines.
The video project is being funded by the European Commission, Department for International Development, VSO and Tourism Concern through the Joseph Rowntree Charitable Trust.
In addition to ABTAs endorsement the project is also supported by the World Tourism Organisation and the World Travel and Tourism Council.
NOTES TO EDITORS:
ABTA (Association of British Travel Agents): is the largest travel trade association in the UK with 7,500 member branches. ABTA has almost 700 tour operator members which provide about 95% of package holidays taken by UK holidaymakers. ABTA ensures that customers of its members are financially protected against company failure and it enforces strict codes of conduct.
Contact: Keith Betton or Jackie Gibson 0171 307 1900
First Choice Holidays: is a leading UK tour operator offering fresh-thinking holidays and flights to a huge variety of worldwide destinations. With 21 brochures featuring specialist programmes to top holiday spots in the Mediterranean, Indian Ocean, Caribbean and Florida, First Choice offers a large selection of holidays to suit all tastes and preferences.
Contact: Ruth Byfield 0171 233 2300
Tourism Concern: is a British educational charity and membership organisation that promotes awareness of the impact of tourism on people and their environments. Part of a global ntwork of community and environmental groups, it acts as an advocate for people in destination areas affected by tourism and for those trying to develop tourism that increases benefits to locals. It campaigns for positive change in the British outgoing tourism industry and provides British tourists with information on responsible tourism. Its education programme produces resources for schools and colleges.
Contact: Tricia Barnett 0171 753 3330
Gambia Tourism Concern: is a dynamic group, based in Serrekunda which is the suburb adjacent to the main tourist area in The Gambia, exists to promote best tourism practice in The Gambia. They publicise and support issues that generate income and provide opportunities for local people to positively benefit from tourism. For example, they publish a magazine called "Concern" which local, unemployed young people sell to tourists.
Contact: Adama Bah 00 220 462 057
VSO (Voluntary Service Overseas): an international development charity has been working with the developing world for 40 years. During this time 20,000 volunteer professionals have seen the impact of the changing face of tourism. One of VSO's aims is to encourage tourists to look beyond the holiday brochure image of sun, sea, sand and learn more about the people and cultures they visit.
Contact: Selina Fox or Sue Randall 0181 780 7222
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18 January 2000
Copies of the in-flight video are available.
For further information and interviews contact:
Keith Betton or Jackie Gibson
ABTA Corporate Affairs: 020 7307 1900