The final week of 2024 is upon us, with many already enjoying the festive season around the globe and still others preparing to embark on their journeys. Whether travelers are heading to sunny Africa or winter wonderlands across Europe, North America or Asia, this is a significant period for the tourism sector no matter the country. Tourism continues to grow with people opting for different experiences, be it within city staycations, domestic travel or international tourism destinations. Tourism establishments & key industry players will be required to anticipate a surge in bookings and ensure that their operations are running meticulously to cater for the novel first time traveler to the experienced and most demanding of clientele.
From a legal perspective, we have our plans for 2025 set in motion and we aim to equip tourism establishments with the skills and tools to develop, ensuring that they understand the requisite legalese to operate within regulations and abide by legislation.
Over the course of the next few publications, we will be uncovering several regulatory challenges in the tourism sector.
Addressing legislation in respect of data privacy and digital laws which include compliance with the European Union laws of General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) which imposes regulation on companies and organizations, the manner in which they handle personal data of individuals and set out the minimum standard for the protection of privacy and security.
Whilst this is an EU law, it is important for tourism establishments to understand that when seeking international travelers this law will be applicable, no matter the location of the establishment. Over the course of the next few years legislation will be developed worldwide, and countries will seek to draft similar laws, to ensure data protection, and the continued security for individuals and further protection will be required with the emergence and utilization of AI, artificial intelligence. Standards will be required to be developed in terms of cyber security measures to regulate and limit virtual experiences and ensure correct protocol is adapted in the event of data breaches.
Continuing our theme of accessing legalese and requisite knowledge our following issues will cover topics from data protection, environmental laws, carbon offsetting, relevant sustainability regulations, consumer rights on services, utilizing booking sites and airline websites as well as the necessity for transparency in requirements. Protocols to eDectively encompass enhanced health and safety in the post pandemic era must be developed. Liability and Insurance where increased legal responsibility may be incurred in unforeseen circumstances from emergency evacuations to cancellations of bookings.
So, as we bid farewell to 2024, we reminisce about the magical moments the world of travel and tourism has presented, we are grateful for the connections we have made the new cities we have travelled, and the experiences gained. We look ahead to 2025, to the propensity for the new year to be filled with growth, continued development in technology, further cementing of sustainable practices, understanding the complexities of data privacy, and regulations of cross border transactions. Tourism establishments must imperatively continue to be agile, develop frameworks which innovate and mitigate the risk factors. In so doing we will be able to create a more resilient sector of the economy which will withstand vulnerabilities of adverse change and emerge further with strategies ensuring this sector drives economic growth and continues to provide job creation. Developing an astute awareness and working to sustainable goals, progressing, whether as individuals or successful businesses. The future of travel looks to governments adapting consumer protections laws, travelers demanding transparency and legal frameworks, developing to cater for alternative dispute resolutions with eDective means for cost eDective solutions for dispute between services providers and travelers. For the continued growth the industry must work jointly with governments to achieve global standards and create stability within the sector.
Whilst stricter regulations will continue to be developed globally, the tourism sector will evolve fluidly by accessing sustainable practices, providing consumer protection and data privacy, the key will be to proactively adopt compliance and collaboration across key stakeholders.
Article by Safiyya AkoojeeSafiyya Akoojee
B.A, LLB, LLM
Director Fortunatus Advisory LLC United Arab Emirates
Director Thomson Wilks Inc. South Africa
