Independent operators and agents support Sri Lanka relief efforts

Tuesday, 31 Dec, 2004 0

The Association of Independent Tour Operators and AITO Specialist Travel Agents have together set up a fund of £30,000 to go towards water purification in Sri Lanka.

The partner associations will also appeal to their business partners, clients who have travelled to Sri Lanka in the past and employees for donations and ideas on how to raise more money. Sri Lanka is one of the worst affected countries in the tsunami disaster region.

An AITO spokeswoman said: “The partner associations felt that they couldn’t spread their small donation across all the many destinations in need, but would be better making a material impact at one destination.

“Following its conference in 2003 in Sri Lanka, AITO has close ties with the country – hence the feeling that this will be best use of the immediately-available funds.”

AITO Agents chairman Andrew Brownrigg (Haslemere Travel) said that a number of members have their own local charities they support in the affected destinations, and are already planning fund raising events to help. AITO Agents is also to donate funds from a silent auction at its domestic conference in Warwick on January 15-16 to the overall cause.

Information on these long-term projects and on ways of assisting people affected by the tsunami will be featured on the AITO websites by next week – www.aito.co.uk and www.realholiday.co.uk, plus on the website of AITO’s responsible tourism adviser, Dick Sisman – www.brighterfutures.biz.

Report by Phil Davies

Phil Davies

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