Who owns what?
Britain's independent tour operators are worried that the big four holiday companies who dominate the business - Thomson, Airtours, JMC/ Thomas Cook and First Choice - are not telling their customers what they own.
The Association of Independent Tour Operators is to ask the new government, after the election, to get the Competition Commission to re-examine the matter. An AITO spokeswoman said this week: "Many members of the public are still unaware that these big companies own their own airlines, tour operating companies and travel agents. For instance, Simply Travel and the Magic Group are now owned by Thomson, which also owns the travel agency chain Lunn Poly and the airline Britannia. The big companies are meant to alert customers to their ownership links but this is not always happening. Our organisation is concerned about fair trading and the maintenance of consumer choice."
Bristol departures
Go, the low cost airline, this week started flights from Bristol, the first destination being Nice. By mid-July it will be flying to eight European destinations - Alicante, Malaga, Faro, Palma, Nice, Rome, Barcelona and Ibiza. The cheapest fares, to Nice and Barcelona, will be £65 return. (0870 6076543 www.go-fly.com).
Two for one
A card that gives visitors two-for-one entry into more than 60 tourists attractions in Yorkshire was launched this week. The Powerpass, which costs £1, can be bought at all Tourist Information Centres and at Northern Electric and Gas Stores in the region.
Jabs from Boots
Boots is to open Travel Clinics in five major stores over the next few weeks. Customers will be able to get travel health advice and vaccinations in Kensington High St from mid-June, Milton Keynes this weekend, Leeds on June 5, Reading on June 8 and Manchester on June 4.
Go west
The South West launches a £1m marketing campaign today to encourage visitors back to the region as the British tourist industry continues to be damaged by foot and mouth.
Useful websites for the latest information on what is open: www.iprow.co.uk, www.english-heritage.org.uk, www.britishwaterways.co.uk and www. forestry.gov.uk. Telephone hotlines are 0870 2415659 for England, 0808 0100000 for Wales, 0131-332 2433 for Scotland and for Northern Ireland 02890 524279/524590.
