Increased donations for travel charity

First Choice is to ask customers for increased donations to industry charity the Travel Foundation. The operator is to raise the suggested donation from 10 pence to 20 pence per adult and from 5 pence to 10 pence per child with the release of brochures for summer 2005. The decision to make the increase came after First Choice reported that more than 75% of customers booking winter and summer holidays since November had agreed to make voluntary donations. First Choice UK and Ireland managing director Dermot Blastand said: “We are very pleased with the response from customers to date and believe this will continue to be a success moving forward.” Meanwhile, almost every Sunvil Holidays customer booking for summer 2004 has opted to match the operator’s 50 pence per booking donation. The Adventure Company, formerly Travelbag Adventures, and Hidden Greece have agreed to support the charity alongside other operators. The Travel Foundation aims to raise £1 million a year by 2006 through voluntary donations by holidaymakers to support projects in a range of destinations, including The Gambia, Cyprus, Mexico and Tobago. Former TUI UK retail director John McEwan is offering practical support and advice to help companies and organisations get involved in fundraising. Travel Foundation director Sue Hurdle will be appealing for more support at an ABTA tour operators forum tomorrow (Tuesday). ALSO READ: ABTA FRAUD LATEST: Executive named Report by Phil Davies