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NTA Joins Global Travel Network in Preparing for Potential Avian Flu Outbreak

May 3, 2006

NTA Joins Global Travel Network in Preparing for Potential Avian Flu Outbreak
May 3, 2006 – The National Tour Association has joined the Tourism Emergency Response Network, a group of global travel organizations, working to prepare for a potential avian flu outbreak. To best prepare the travel industry, the network has been established to work with governments in order to keep the public informed about the disease and ensure that the industry is able to fulfill its roll in national preparedness plans.

 

"NTA is firmly committed to assisting its members and the industry by disseminating accurate and timely information to the traveling public," said NTA Chairman and CEO Judith Thomas, CTP. "As a member of TERN, we can share vital information with our members to help them minimize the negative impact of the threat of an outbreak and develop preparedness plans."

 

The organizations have agreed that planning for the potential evolution of the virus to a pandemic form is a common concern and committed to:

  • Work closely with the UN System Influenza Coordinator, the WHO and other involved UN agencies
  • Share real time information and ideas
  • Give clear, concise and geographically specific public messages

 

As part of this collaboration, the UN World Tourism Organization is developing a Web portal to provide the basis for an open industry information network to enhance avian flu preparedness.

 

Geoffrey Lipman special advisor to the UNWTO Secretary General, who is coordinating the TERN project, said that the uncertainty surrounding the avian flu means the industry must make "measured contingency preparation without overreaction, across the international community." He added that "the tourism sector is an important stakeholder in the total global preparedness effort. The network will help us play that part responsibly and more effectively."

 

TERN was announced at the World Travel and Tourism Council’s Global Travel and Tourism Summit last month in Washington, D.C. Other TERN members include the World Tourism Organization, International Hotel & Restaurant Association, Pacific Asia Travel Association, International Federation of Tour Operators, United Federation of Travel Agents Associations, Airports Council International and the International Air Transport Association.

 

The National Tour Association has a global membership of tourism professionals involved in the growth and development of the packaged travel industry. Its membership includes more than 600 tour operator companies – group, independent, inbound and outbound – and the destinations and suppliers that partner with them. The association is committed to providing business results and information to its members, while offering a collaborative, caring environment in which to build relationships. For more information, please visit http://www.nta.travel/.

 

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