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British Mensa Travel Special Interest Group |
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Shown below are links to sites of potential interest to Travel SIG members. Text comes from the relevant websites and does not necessarily reflect the views of British Mensa, Travel SIG or its officers or members. British Mensa is not responsible for the content of external websites. Sites and links directly relating to the SIG and its members: www.laos.co.uk - a site devoted to Laos by John Keeble www.amazingkhaolak.com
- a new site about this section of Thailand, by John Keeble www.inthehabit.net - photos of Buddhist monks, by Neil Harris www.thefranksfamily.com - the personal site of Joe Franks, with much useful travel information from around the world Travels
with Mensans - the book of some of the best writing from the SIG
newsletter VISA, with proceeds going to MSF Other sites and links: Air Transport Users' Council is the consumer watchdog for airline industry. It advises air travellers on their rights in response to individual enquiries and by publishing education material. The Association of British Travel Agents (ABTA) is the UK's Premier Trade Association for Tour Operators and Travel Agents. ABTA's 600 plus tour operators and 2300 travel agency companies have over 7000 offices and are responsible for the sale of more than 90% of UK-sold package holidays. The Association of Independent Tour Operators (AITO) is an association of over 150 independent tour operators, who specialise either by holiday destination or by holiday type or activity. ATOL (Air Travel Organiser's Licence) exists to protect the public from losing their money or being stranded abroad because of the failure of air travel firms. It was first introduced in 1972 and now gives comprehensive consumer protection to 27 million people in the UK who buy flights or air holidays each year. ATOL is a statutory scheme based on legal requirements, managed by the Civil Aviation Authority. The Aviation Health Institute is a non-profit organisation that promotes health and well being of airline passengers worldwide. REGISTERED CHARITY NO. 1017574 Bradt Travel Guides focuses on the needs of the end-user: the adventurous traveller who seeks out off-beat places and the dreamer who would like to travel there but perhaps never will. Through its skills and expertise, the Civil Aviation Authority is recognised as a world leader in its field. Its specific responsibilities include Air Safety, Economic Regulation, Consumer Protection and Air Traffic Services. In addition, the CAA advises the Government on aviation issues, represents consumer interests, conducts economic and scientific research, produces statistical data and provides specialist services. The Foreign and Commonealth Office's Consular Division produces a range of material intended to advise and inform British citizens travelling abroad. This includes advice to help British travellers avoid trouble, especially threats to their personal safety arising from political unrest, lawlessness, violence, natural disasters, epidemics, anti-British demonstrations and aircraft safety. There is access to the full range of Travel Advice notices, and selected consular information material. The mission of the International Air Transport Association (IATA) is to represent and serve the airline industry. Postcard Pals SIG - a Special Interest Group of American Mensa, with a travel-related theme! NB: the rules for joining SIGs in American Mensa are not the same as in British Mensa. Rory Maclean - the distinguished travel writer, who has kindly offered a copy of his book The Oatmeal Ark to the author of the SIG's Favourite Article published in VISA in 2007. Tourism Concern is a UK-based charity set up in 1989 to bring together people concerned about tourism’s impact on communities and the environment, in the UK and worldwide. An information resource through its members, global contacts and media resources, it is a unique source of information on tourism’s impacts. It influences and informs government, industry and education, and is an independent voice for justice and sustainability in tourism. Voluntary Services Overseas (VSO) enables men and women to work alongside people in poorer countries in order to share skills, build capabilities and promote international understanding and action, in the pursuit of a more equitable world. |