Leisure travel e-Nesletter - May 2008

Namibia

Searching for the wilderness? Then Namibia is the place for you. Located on the southwest coast of Africa, it is one of the most sparsely populated countries on the planet. The estimated population is 2 million (UN figure from 2005) with a population density of 2.43 per square kilometre. The capital is Windhoek.

Nationals from most countries are not required to obtain Visas to travel to Namibia for visits shorter than three months.

The coastal region remains cool (15-25C), humid but generally without rain for most of the year. In the interior from May thru September temperatures range for 18-25C during the day dropping often to freezing at night. From October to April the daytime temperatures range from 20-34C. Heavy fog is common especially in the coastal regions.

The Etosha National Park and Game Reserve in the north of the country is one of the best in Africa. The beautiful coastline running the length of the country is largely deserted.

Activities include:

· 4x4 Safaris
· Ballooning
· Birding
· Camping
· Caving
· Dune & Sandboarding
· Fishing
· Game Tracking
· Hiking
· Quadbiking
· Skydiving

The Henties Bay coastal area offers excellent fishing opportunities, 4x4 trails and great walking routes.
Namibia has been successful at conservation of flora and fauna so it is a great place to view both. Most lodges operate on private land or concessions and can offer on foot trails guided by professionals.

Namibia has over a 120 registered caves. The longest cave is the Arnhem Caves being over 4800 meters in length. It is presently the only tourist cave in Namibia. The famous Bushman Rock engravings at Twyfelfontein have been declared a ‘World Heritage Site’. UNESCO considers Twyfelfonteins Rock Art of ‘Outstanding Universal Value’. Around 3000 rock engravings in Damaraland form an extensive and high quality record of ritual practices relating to hunter-gatherer communities in Southern Africa of more than 2000 years.

All the rock engravings and rock paintings within the core area are without doubt the authentic work of San (Bushmen) hunter-gatherers who lived in the region long before the influx of Damara herders and European colonists. Most of these well-preserved engravings represent lion, rhinoceros, elephant, ostrich and giraffe, as well as drawings of human and animal footprints.

The site also includes six painted rock shelters with motifs of human figures in red ochre. The objects excavated from two sections, date from the Late Stone Age. The setting of the Twyfelfontein rock art is authentic and represents one of Africa’s most important rock-art concentrations.

The core area was designated a national monument in 1948 and is now protected by the National Heritage Act. Tourists visiting Namibia and Damaraland in particular really must not miss a visit to ‘Twyfelfontein’. The Old Fort Museum in Windhoek has an ongoing exhibition of Rock Art in Namibia, which explains the meanings of the paintings.

We will be pleased to advise you and create a truly memorable holiday for you, so do call us and discuss your interests that you would like to be included.

Quebec

The Province of Quebec is crammed with history and culture. The cosmopolitan city of Montreal has it all - including an underground metro to take you quickly & easily to any corner of the city. In fact Montreal is considered to have the largest underground city in the world. Too cold outside? Just wander around underground in the 33kms of tunnels - great shopping arcades. Don't miss Old Montreal and the Old Port. The buildings date from the 18th & 19th centuries.

Quebec City is the only fortified city in North America. Don't miss the Quartier Petit Champlain and Place-Royale.

The Laurentians is a true 4-season destination with something for everyone. It includes Mont Tremblant which has the largest night skiing complex in the world. But the Laurentians are not just about winter sports. Many people maintain a summer home in the region and it is a very popular destination all year round.
Plan to be there during fall foliage time – no one can resist it once they have had a glimpse!

Interested in visiting Ottawa? Why not base yourself in the Gatineaus. A beautiful part of the country and close to Ottawa.

Most nationalities do not need a visa but check with us first, before travelling.

In winter temperatures fall below freezing throughout Quebec. During the summer humidity is high and temperatures can exceed 30C. In Montreal the average daytime high in January is -5C falling to -12C at night. In August the average high is 26C and low 15C. August has the highest precipitation with February the lowest.
Quebec City follows much the same pattern except that the highest rainfall is in September and generally the city has more precipitation than Montreal. 
 
The reputation of the province of Quebec as a tourist destination is well known. From the Outaouais River to the Rocher Percé and from the USA border to the Arctic, all along the shores of the Majestic St. Lawrence River, the province hides dozens of colourful, picturesque cities and villages.

Between these quiet villages and the bustling cities, the visitor discovers the true meaning of these legendary wide open spaces and that made the reputation of Quebec as an exceptional travel destination. Its numerous national parks hide well-kept treasures that turn out to be magnificent for those who dare reveal them.
People come from everywhere to discover the different regions of Quebec, all unique, all different, and each visit is a renewed occasion to enjoy original pleasures and memorable discoveries.

Whether you are looking for a quiet refugee to relax, a place to do all your favourite outdoor activities, or if you want to participate in one of the famous festivals, you will find here all the activities that will make your stay in Québec unforgettable.

Lots to see in Johannesburg  - a city built on Gold

South Africa is excellent value for a holiday with the Rand being weak against the Pound. So why not enjoy a varied holiday to include the Garden route and the vineyards in the South and a visit to Jo’burg too?

Johannesburg exists because of gold. Some 1,000 metres above sea level, it was a farming area until the discovery of the precious metal in 1886, and it was Paul Kruger, president of the South African Republic, who founded a garrison on the Witwatersrand ridge overlooking the city centre. In 1893 this was turned into a prison for the city. Today, it is home to the modern Constitutional Court, but it is also possible to take guided tours of the historical areas of the complex. These include the Women’s Jail and Prison Number Four, the colloquial name for the Old Fort Prison with its rusty cells and peeling walls, where everyone from Gandhi to Nelson Mandela has awaited trial. In 1983, the complex was closed down and, after a period of near dereliction, has been renovated and reopened to provide an interesting history of both Jo’burg and South Africa. Admission is R22 (£1.40). Open 9am-5pm, Saturday 10am-3pm.

Jo’burg is a city of extreme wealth and poverty, and the way to negotiate a tour of the Central Business District (CBD) is by car or by organised tour, despite the fact that the distances involved are small. In the last few years, Main Street has been completely transformed over six city blocks between West and Rissik Streets. There is restricted vehicle access, benches, outdoor cafés, and lots of greenery, as well as heritage artefacts relating to the mining industry, such as the headgear and stamp mills used to retrieve and break down ore – complete with information plaques.

At the west end, you’ll find the two headquarter buildings of the famous Anglo-American mining company. The first, known as 44 Main Street, was built between 1937 and 1939 and has a strong art-deco theme. Opposite is 45 Main Street, which has a simpler monolithic façade, and was built between 1948 and 1950. The small park between these two buildings contains the Leaping Springboks sculpture, commissioned by the Oppenheimer family in memory of Sir Ernest Oppenheimer (1880-1957). The Chamber of Mines Building and other leading mining houses all have their headquarters along this historical walk. It’s hard to believe that under Main Street run some of the old gold mines, and that until the 1970s, the ground would frequently rumble from blasting taking place below.

In the 1980s and 1990s, the CBD lost some of the business headquarters which had left for the decentralised business districts in the suburbs. Thus, by the end of the Nineties, the city management, business and property owners realised they had to deal with the encroaching crime and grime of the city and so, precinct by precinct, the remaining businesses have invested in regenerating the area, to make it safe for both workers and tourists.

Founded in October 1887 as a club for the owners of the recently discovered gold fields of Johannesburg, the present Rand Club building is the fourth to occupy the site, and as well as now accepting all races and women, the rooms are available for hire for everything from weddings to corporate events. 

On your way from Main Street back to the suburbs, your drive will take you west and through the Newtown Cultural Precinct, home to both the Market Theatre and Museum Africa, which is housed in a Victorian building in Bree Street that was originally the city’s fruit and vegetable market. All the old buildings in this area have been renovated and now house diverse cultural institutions as well as being a great night-time spot for bars and live music.

Museum Africa tells the history of Africa in general, South Africa in particular and Johannesburg specifically in one of the permanent exhibitions, as well as of the Treason Trial of the 1950s when over 150 people, including Nelson Mandela, were accused of plotting against the state. A visit to one of its current theatre productions and a meal in the adjoining Gramadoelas or Moya restaurants would be worth considering.

You may have time to fit in a short safari too, or see something of Namibia, while you are in the area? For advice on what to do and see in Southern Africa, please contact our consultants who will be pleased to help.

Some readers may already know that we have on our website a page entitled "Worldwide Leisure Events", to give surfers information about some of the most famous, interesting and fun events happening in the coming 6 to 9 months, one or more of which you may wish to incorporate into your next holiday.

We have extracted the following examples to give you a flavour, but strongly suggest you click here to see much more!

Taste of Dublin Festival        12th – 15th June

Always popular for a short break, Dublin offers added entertainment in June when twenty-two of the city’s top restaurants and chefs host this annual Festival. Over 35,000 visitors gather in the beautiful Iveagh Gardens, to enjoy Dublin’s finest food and drink, accompanied by jazz bands and a variety of performing arts.

San Diego Restaurant Week         22nd – 27th June

For the second time this year, San Diego’s top 130 restaurants open their doors, offering 3 course meals at greatly reduced prices. What better time to visit!

Il Palio, Siena        2nd July and 16th August

Two opportunities to witness this renowned race!  Originating from the 16th century, the Palio di Siena is the world famous Italian bareback horserace, which takes place around the Piazza del Campo. It may be over in a few minutes, but its fame attracts visitors from around the world!

Madrid Summer City Festival        July – August

Enjoy opera, jazz, theatre or flamenco? Why not take a break to the Spanish capital this summer and savour the added entertainment which will be  taking place across the city in this annual event?

Grenada Carnival        6th – 12th August

Famous for its carnivals, the Caribbean comes alive once again with Grenada’s biggest annual festival, SpiceMas. The capital city of St George’s is the setting, with each island parish featuring its own individual costumes and activities.

Rip Curl Pro, Hossegor, France        15th – 24th August 

Home to some of the best surfing in the world, Hossegor, on the French West Coast, hosts the ASP (Association of Surfing Professionals) World Qualifying Series. This is the place to be to see the highest rated surfers as they compete for a share of the US$ 150,000 prize money.

Prague Autumn Festival, Czech Republic        1st September – 31st October
(Dates to be confirmed)  

Always popular for a short break, Prague offers an additional reason to visit at this time of year. This Autumn Festival brings to a close the European Festival season, attracting artists from around the world. An ideal time to visit – between the summer crowds and the rush of the Festive season!

Oktoberfest, Munich        20th September – 5th October  

Dating from 1810, this celebration has become an annual German tradition, with the start brought forward to include – hopefully – some better weather! Must see events start prior to the main festival on the 19th with the Costume and Rifleman’s Parade, with further highlights throughout the event including the Parade of Oktoberfest Landlords and Breweries, the Official Tapping of the Keg, and this year, an Agricultural Festival. With budget flights operating to Germany, why not pay a visit!

PGA Grand Slam of Golf, Bermuda        14th – 15th October

See some of the world’s top golfers while enjoying a break on this beautiful Atlantic island. Winners of the 2008 Masters, US Open, British Open and PGA Championships will be gathered at the host hotel and golf course, the luxurious Fairmont Southampton.

White Night, Malta        October ( Date to be confirmed)

Following on from the success in Rome, Paris and other European cities, all night celebrations turn in October to Malta. Theatres, museums, gardens and cinemas remain open throughout the night, offering entertainment in all areas of the city.

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We have not listed travel arrangements, as there are often countless options available, and of course, we can build them in to a longer holiday for you, if you wish. So, Please contact us about any events in which you are interested, and we will research the most best itinerary to match your requirements.

Holland America '09 grand voyages unveiled

Three Holland America Line ships will offer four grand voyages next year, ranging from 50 to 117 days.

Rotterdam’s 117-day Grand World Voyage departs on January 19 from Los Angeles.

The 68-day Grand South America Voyage leaves on January 2 and the 50-day Grand Mediterranean Voyage departs March 11 on Prinsendam, both from Fort Lauderdale.

Amsterdam’s 67-day Grand Australia and New Zealand cruise departs on September 26 from Seattle.

A range of early booking offers are available for reservations made by May 23. 

These vary depending on cruise and cabin category but may include onboard credit, pre-paid gratuities, an exclusive shore side event, initial in-cabin bar set-up and a bottle of Champagne.

Ventura attracting younger passengers

P&O Cruises has achieved a “breakthrough” in reducing the age profile of passengers with new ship Ventura.

The average passenger age booked on the 3,6OO-passenger ship in its first season was 44 - ten years younger than the UK cruise market in general and only three years older than Carnival UK's casual cruise brand Ocean Village.

The more youthful passenger profile is attributed to families with pre-school children booking to cruise outside the school holidays, a "breakthrough" the company has long been trying to achieve. The attraction of Noddy on board was also perhaps a contributory factor in boosting interest among younger parents with toddlers.

45% of passengers booked on the ship this year were new to P&O Cruises and the proportion is predicted to rise to as much as two thirds over the next two or three years.

Dame Helen was recently the guest of honour and named the ship in a spectaular James Bond-themed ceremony in Southampton in front of 1,500 guests.

Family cruise bookings soar by 31%

Families now represent one in ten of all cruise passengers, according to a recent survey.

The figure emerged as Royal Caribbean International’s largest ship, Independence of the Seas, was due to arrive in Southampton for its naming last month.

This trend by UK families mirrors the habits of American holidaymakers. The Cruise Lines International Association, which represents 97% of US cruise ships, says that they carry approximately one million children each year and this demand has led cruise operators increasingly to cater for a family market.

The major cruise operators have courted parents looking for a stress-free break by fitting ships with increasingly bigger and better attractions for families, as well as improving their kids clubs and entertainment.  They have also increased the number of ships departing the UK and the proportion of family berths.

The cruise lifestyle also is appealing to more and more families, as it gives them the flexibility to eat what and when they want and allows older children more freedom to roam and try out new thrills such as on-board surfing and climbing walls.

If you also  take into account that there is a wide selection of departures from the UK, cutting out the stress and expense of flying with young children, cruising can offer a very attractive alternative to the conventional “bucket and spade” seaside holiday in the sun.

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For details of these and other cruise holidays, or even if you are just wondering about a cruise holiday and don't know where to begin, please do contact Astra or Stephen - our cruise specialists - they will be pleased to advise you. Why not also take a look at the cruise section on our website?

The Advertising Standards Authority has asked the Office of Fair Trading to consider taking action against Ryanair. It says its decision follows a “catalogue of breaches of the Advertising Codes” by Ryanair over the last two years.

It suggested that by being misleading and using unfair comparisons, Ryanair had repeatedly breached the CAP Non-broadcast Advertising Code, which was designed to protect consumers and promote fair competition. “Over a two-year period the ASA has formally investigated complaints about Ryanair’s advertisements and found them in breach on seven occasions. Separately, the ASA has also found Ryanair in breach of the Broadcast TV Advertising Standards Code.”

The ASA said Ryanair was persistently misleading consumers by:

1. - Making exaggerated claims about the extent of availability of flights at the advertised price
2. - Advertising prices that were not inclusive of taxes and charges
3. - Making misleading and denigratory comparisons with competitors
4. - Not stating clearly significant restrictions that would exclude customers from taking advantage of an offer
5. - Not providing evidence to prove the claims they were making.

Formal referrals to the OFT by the ASA are rare, the most recent being in 2005, and are only made once it has been established, that an advertiser is unable to work within the rules.

ASA director general said: “It is very disappointing, but absolutely necessary, that we have had to take this course of action. The ASA has given Ryanair every opportunity to put its house in order and ensure that its advertising adheres to the Codes.

“Instead, they have continued to mislead consumers and denigrate competitors. We would prefer to work with advertisers within the self-regulatory system rather than call in a statutory body, but Ryanair’s approach has left us with no option but to refer them to the OFT who will consider appropriate action.”

It will be interesting to see what the OFT make of these claims and Ryanair’s strenuous denials, but in the meantime we suggest readers contact our consultants for totally unbiased advice on the best fare for your trips.

 

Four Seasons is to open five new hotels in the next four months, with properties in Mumbai, Istanbul, Mauritius, Bora Bora and Florence.

May signals the beginning of one of the busiest periods in the group’s history, with a 202-room new-build hotel opening in Mumbai’s emerging Worli district at the start of next month. Located in a 33-storey glass tower the Four Seasons Hotel Mumbai will feature a two-floor spa, two restaurants and the largest presidential suite in the city.

Just a month later Four Seasons will open its second property in Istanbul, located on the banks of the Bosphorus (close to Kempinski’s Ciragan Palace) within a 19th-century Ottoman palace. The Four Seasons Hotel Istanbul at the Bosphorus will feature 166 rooms and suites, a spa with Turkish bath, as well as indoor and outdoor heated swimming pools.

Four Seasons will also provide a boat shuttle between the new hotel and its other Istanbul property situated in the city’s Sultanahmet district. Istanbul is experiencing a boom in business and leisure travel at the moment, with W Hotels opening its first European property in the city and Turkish Airlines joining Star Alliance this month.

July will then see three further properties opening in Florence, Mauritius and Bora Bora. The Four Seasons Hotel Florence will be housed in the renovated buildings of the Palazzo Della Gheraradesca, Conventino and Church, with the oldest wing dating back to the late 1440s. Original frescos and sculptures have been restored, and the property will also feature a 3.5-hectare private garden.

The Mauritius and Bora Bora properties will both be resort hotels, with the former featuring 61 beachfront villas, a spa, PADI dive centre, and an Ernie Els-designed golf course. The Four Seasons Resort Bora Bora will have 100 over-water bungalows, with views of the mountain and lagoon.

A planned new air tax could raise the cost of travel for family holidays outside Europe by £90, it has been claimed. Aviation industry body the British Air Transport Association calculates that British families will have to pay £250 just to leave the country in 2011, up from £160 now.

The warning came at the end of a “consultation” period on government proposals to introduce a new aviation duty to be levied on every departing aircraft to replace Air Passenger Duty. The new tax is expected by the Treasury to raise more than £3.5 billion in 2011-12 against £971 million from APD in 2006-07, according to BATA.

The association’s secretary general Roger Wiltshire claimed that the proposals would subsidise foreign carriers and airports because it would make it cheaper for travellers to connect to a hub on the Continent then to fly long-haul, rather than taking a flight direct from the UK.

"Passengers who choose to make their long-hail journey via an airport in another EU state would benefit from a windfall reduction of 75%in UK tax. These passengers currently pay £40 APD whereas in the future they would only pay short haul aviation duty of around £10.

"This large incentive will not only create significant competitive disadvantage for airlines providing long-haul services from UK airports such as Heathrow, it will also encourage more indirect journeys, with the increased emissions that result."

He claimed that the plan would deliver "questionable environmental benefits" as it is not linked to the emissions of a particular aircraft.

"So it provides no incentive to invest in more environmentally friendly aircraft, yet will threaten the UK’s air links, economy and families," added Wiltshire.

He went on to say: "We accept the principle that aviation should meet its environmental and social costs. Indeed, as the government has already accepted, the industry meets its climate change costs in full following the doubling of APD last year.

"We feel strongly that the proposed new duty fails to meet its environmental objectives and the amount the Treasury is planning to rake in is excessive and unjustified. The proposal also creates new and significant market distortions.

Yet again, the law of unintended consequences is so clearly demonstrated, that one is left wondering at the government’s apparent deafness during the “consultation” process!

The plummeting value of the pound will lead to a steep rise in the cost of trips to the eurozone this year, but summer holidays elsewhere in Europe and in the US should offer better value.

Bulgaria has again emerged as the cheapest European destination, although more expensive than in 2007, followed closely by Turkey.

With the Turkish lira depreciating by some 9% agaist the pound , Turkey currently looks best value among the mass market holiday destinations. An evening meal out for two, including wine, costs £30.14, at least 20% less than in France, Greece, Portugal or Italy.

Spain emerges as the cheapest place to holiday in the eurozone – up to 15% less for tourist staples than the most expensive destinations, France, Portugal and Italy.

Cheapest overall destinations in the comparison study, were the long haul trio of Thailand, South Africa and Egypt.

At £28.58 for 10 holiday commodities, including drinks and meals out, Thailand weighed in at under a third the cost of the same items in Australia and well under half the average price of the shopping basket across the eurozone.

Rated most expensive last year, the US now comes below the eurozone resorts to become the seventh cheapest of 16 destinations surveyed. The 2008 report puts the cost of a bottle of Coca-Cola in Florida at £1.60, compared with £2.94 in France, while sun cream will cost around £5 – half the price in Greece.

New entrants to the eurozone, Malta and Cyprus, have both seen price rises since they adopted the euro on January 1st. However, Malta emerges from the survey as one of the cheaper destinations, second only to Spain.

But Cyprus has become one of the more expensive resort areas in the survey. Prices for the holiday items have risen by 32% since the changeover to the euro. Allowing for the nine per cent rise in the value of the euro since the beginning of the year, this suggests a price hike of 23% on the items surveyed.

The cost of car hire across the 16 destinations varies considerably. Spain is the most expensive country at £58.87 for one day's rental. In the eurozone Italy was cheapest at £16.82 whilst motorists in Florida would pay £28.06 and in Turkey £38.75.

A specialist tour operator we work with, is offering one of the largest selections of professionally-organised group wildlife tours and natural history holidays around the world.

Many of these expert-escorted group tours have a primary focus on mammals, or a joint focus on mammals and birds, and are guided by at least one professional naturalist-tour leader, generally with a detailed knowledge of the area to be visited. On many tours, as well as the mammals, you can also enjoy both the birds and plants, often having the added benefit of being accompanied guides to act as tour ornithologist or botanist. Additionally, the groups often have an expert local guide to broaden further the educational value of each holiday. On each trip the interest content is extended to encompass more than that of the particular headline mammals, birds and/or plants, without compromising the primary objectives.
 
Unlike many other wildlife tour operators, the aim is not to race from place to place in minibuses with the sole purpose of accumulating long lists of mammals and birds, ultimately to be forgotten. Instead the objective is, within a particular country, to spend as much time as is reasonably possible in searching for wildlife on foot. In this way, you will cover less ground than with other tour operators, but you will see far more in the areas that are visited.
 
This more relaxed approach provides a greater flexibility to these holidays than is offered by some other bird watching and natural history tour operators. This allows for more scope and time for photography, detailed wildlife exploration, relaxation, and in which to take an interest in the region's people, culture, history and architecture. Above all the aim is for your holiday to be fun as well as informative; and to inspire you to such an extent that you will be only too keen to return!
 
Whilst this operator still specialises in organising wildlife treks to remote and mountainous areas of the world, today the overwhelming majority of its holidays are more leisurely. Amongst them are a mouth-watering range of wildlife cruises, single-centre wildlife breaks and traditional hotel-based minibus tours. Thus, whatever your age, ability and aspirations, we hope that we can offer a holiday for you to enjoy.

Our consultants will be pleased to research and book an unforgettable trip for you including one of these specialist tours, whilst tailoring it in to other arrangements in order to meet your particular wishes.

 

 

British Airways has been named as one of the three Footsie 100 companies most guilty of ‘greenwash’ in a recent survey.

Alongside BP and Tesco, it was given the dubious ‘honour’ by national and trade journalists, sustainability experts and political groups polled in the Chatsworth FOOTSIE 100 green survey.

Meanwhile, Marks and Spencer has retained its reputation as the greenest of the FOOTSIE 100 companies.

Chatsworth said the results reveal an increasing cynicism as to whether UK business will ever aim for anything more than ‘greenwash’ without clear leadership and legislation from the government on environmental issues.

Nick Murray-Leslie, Chatsworth, said that a large majority of respondents believe that national governments should be responsible for taking the lead on environmental issues. The prevailing opinion is that some businesses will continue to do the bare minimum unless the government steps in with clear changes to legislation.

He went on to suggest that Gordon Brown was unfortunately not perceived to be fulfilling his green commitments, and so it was up to UK business, and indeed the individual, to lead the way. This survey made it very clear that the public really believed in fighting climate change, and so the brands that will emerge as the most respected during this time of economic change would be those that commited themselves to real green action and honest communication.”

 

Overheard in a London Underground train the other day “ I’ve got a new theory as to the composition of Saturn’s rings.”

His companion exclaimed “I’d no idea you were into astronomy – how long have you been working on this, then?”

The first man said modestly “Oh not that long, but I’ve come to the conclusion that they are probably composed entirely of lost airline baggage!”

You, dear reader, may be sceptical of his theory, but did you know that a total of 42.4 million bags were mishandled or delayed in 2007 by airports and airlines last year, new figures show – and that was before Terminal 5 had a chance to make its contribution!  This represents nearly 2 bags in every one hundred of the total of some 2.25 billion pieces of baggage checked in during the year!

The air transport industry lost $3.8 billion because of growing pressures on baggage management linked to passenger volumes, tight aircraft turn-round times, and heightened security measures.

The single largest cause of baggage delay was in transfer baggage mishandling at 49% of the total, down from 61% in 2005. This was followed by ticketing error/ passenger bag switch/ security/ other, 14%; failure to load, 16%; space-weight restriction, 5%; loading/offloading error, 5%; tagging errors, 3%; and arrival station mishandling, 8%.

The statistics come from SITA, the IT provider, which tracks passenger baggage worldwide for the air transport industry.

Looking to the future, Radio Frequency Identification has a role to play and could save the industry as much $700 million, if it was fully implemented across the industry.

IATA director general and CEO Giovanni Bisignani said: “We get baggage right 98% of the time. But with a total volume of over 2.2 billion bags in the system, the 2% that is mis-handled is a big problem that we need to fix.