Travel industry Asia earthquake appeal launched

The UK travel trade is being urged to back an industry appeal in support of survivors of the Asian earthquake disaster.

Home working agency Travel Counsellors has launched the UK Travel Industry Earthquake Appeal fund in aid of Asian tsunami victims.

Details of how to donate can be obtained by clicking here or by emailing: [email protected] and cheques payable to UK Travel Industry Earthquake Appeal should be posted to UK Travel Industry Earthquake Appeal, Travel Counsellors plc, Travel House, Churchgate, Bolton BL1 1TH.

The independent company established the appeal fund with a donation of £10,000 plus £4,000 pledged from staff.

The UK travel industry appeal was launched as the death toll from the tsunami tidal waves reached 125,000. In Indonesia alone, 80,000 have been reported dead.

As reported, millions of people across the Indian Ocean region are at risk of disease due to a lack of drinking water, food or shelter.

Donations to the travel industry appeal will go to the Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC) Asia Earthquake Appeal, the umbrella organisation which represents the work of the UK’s leading charities. DEC has aleady raised £30 million in four days and the government raised its funding from £15 million to £50 million.

Travel Counsellors managing director Steven Byrne said: “I know I speak on behalf of everyone in the industry who has been shocked and moved by the terrible crisis. A central travel industry fund will give us all a focus for fundraising and I know the spirit of the industry means every single person and company will give as generously as they can.”

DEC chief executive Brendan Gormley added: “We are touched that the travel industry who have had to help so many holidaymakers are also concerned about the plight of millions of local people caught up in the disaster. We’ll make sure the money raied is wisely spent.”

The industry appeal has been set up so that it benefits from the Inland Revenue Gift Aid Scheme which allows basic rate tax relief to be added back to any donations made by individual tax payers. Company donations will be treated as an allowable deducation on the next corporation tax return.

Separately, the Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) has established a Tsunami Recovery Fund aimed at helping tourism staff in the resorts affected by the disaster. PATA says money raised will go directly to help rebuild skills and livelihoods of tourism employees. Pledge forms can be obtained at www.pata.org/tsunami.

Meanwhile, Singapore Airlines has donated $300,000 to the Red Cross Tidal Waves Asia Relief Fund and is offering to flysupplies to affected areas.

Report by Phil Davies