Kinnock rounds on WTM boss over Burma stance

Sunday, 16 Jun, 2005 0

MEP Glenys Kinnock attacked World Travel Market director Fiona Jeffrey for allowing Burma to exhibit at the global tourism event, in a lively exchange during a session on ethical tourism.

Kinnock is an outspoken opponent of the regime in Burma and, in an earlier speech at the Institute of Travel and Tourism Conference in Barbados, criticised a national newspaper for describing the country as beautiful and exotic while ignoring the suffering of the people.

“I have seen the awful conditions for myself,” said Kinnock. “They have more child soldiers than anywhere else. The British government advises people against going to Burma.”

When questions were taken from the floor, Jeffrey was asked to explain why Burma was allowed to exhibit at WTM.

“We are apolitical and we promote tourism, it’s as simple as that,” replied Jeffrey.

But a clearly annoyed Kinnock responded: “It’s not good enough to say you are apolitical.”

Hilton group chief executive David Michels claimed that the opening of his hotels in third world countries had benefitted the people and promoted democracy.

“I passionately believe that it is genuinely opening up the developing world. Maybe Burma is an exception, I don’t know, but generally the industry adds to third world states.

“You’re all drinking Highland Spring water on the stage. That’s owned by a company in Abu Dhabi which, last time I looked, was not a democracy. So where do you draw the line?”

Kinnock responded: “I’m not saying there is not real value in what the industry does but we’re talking about building democracy and respect for human rights – maybe hotels can contribute, but it’ll take a hell of a lot more than that.”

Earlier, Kinnock praised the tourism industry for creating jobs and helping to develop modern infrastructures abroad, but said travel companies needed to do more.

“Travel companies should have corporate and ethical policies working against the exploitation of children,” she said.

Kinnock added that many countries were afraid to tackle issues that might put tourists off travelling.

“In the Caribbean, the tourist islands are the ones that don’t want to talk about HIV. Poverty forces people into the sex industry, often with tourists. They don’t want an HIV programme for fear of driving away tourists.”

Kinnock claimed the tourist industry had to choose between becoming part of the problem or part of the answer.

Malcolm Preston, UK travel practice leader at PriceWaterhouseCoopers, said there was no research in the UK which proved that holidaymakers were concerned about ethical tourism.

“Ethical tourism just doesn’t register when you ask people what is important on holiday,” he said. “Then you have a balance between ethical and economic forces, which is difficult.”

Later he added: “In the mass market, price is going to be the most important factor.”

Report by Jeremy Skidmore