Travel Matters – London

ABTA’s Travel Matters conference returns on Wednesday 19 June 2024. Join over 200 senior travel and tourism industry to hear thought-leading commentary on current affairs and the issues affecting travel. The annual event brings together an audience of CEOs and executive directors, political figures, government stakeholders and national and travel trade media representatives.

We are pleased to announce this year's theme, 'Travel in Turbulent Times’. The conference will include a high profile line-up of speakers including politicians, top industry figures and media commentators.

Speakers will look at what the travel industry needs from Government as we face a host of challenges and change over the coming year, including the cost of living crisis; elections both in the UK and globally; regulatory changes; sustainability roadmaps; the introduction of e-visa schemes by the UK and EU; education and skills reviews, and continued development of EU relations. 

	LBC's Tom Swarbrick Tom Swarbrick is LBC’s drive time presenter 4-6pm weekdays and presenter of Swarbrick on Sunday 10am – 1pm. After working at the BBC, Tom joined LBC as a reporter. Covering terror attacks, the migration crisis, Trump’s campaign and the 2015 General Election, Tom was named both the National Radio Journalist of the Year and the International Reporter of the Year. In 2016, he was hired by Downing Street as an adviser to Prime Minister May. At the heart of government, Swarbrick was by the Prime Minister’s side as Trump was elected President, the triggering of Article 50, the ill-fated General Election campaign and the negotiations to lead the UK out of the EU. Tom left Downing Street to return to a career in broadcasting in March 2018. Swarbrick on Sunday from 10am focuses on the political stories of the day, is broadcasted live from LBC’s new Westminster studios, both on radio and on video, streamed in HD.
	Mike Kane MP, Minister for Aviation, Maritime and Security, Department for Transport A former primary school teacher, Mike began his political career as a Councillor on Manchester City Council in 1991. Mike worked for James Purnell, and his successor Jonathan Reynolds from 2008 until 2011, he then worked with the leader at Tameside council until being elected to Parliament in 2014 in a by-election.  Mike was the Chair of Movement for Change 2010-13 and Acting Chief Executive from July 2013 – February 2014.  Mike was elected as the Member of Parliament for his home constituency, Wythenshawe and Sale East in February 2014. He served as Shadow Minister for International Development from September 2015 to October 2016, when he was appointed Shadow Minister for Schools. In April 2020 Mike moved to the Shadow Transport team as Shadow Minister for Aviation, Maritime, Space & Security and was appointed Parliamentary Under-Secretary with the same responsibilities in July 2024 after the general election. Mike is a member of the Catholic Legislators Network. He enjoys keeping chickens, cycling and growing his own fruit and veg. He is a regular football player, a Manchester City FC fan and plays the flute and the bagpipes in a local pipe band.
	Sonia Sodha, Chief Leader Writer and Columnist, The Observer Sonia Sodha is chief leader writer and columnist at the Observer and a political, economic and social commentator on TV and radio. She has worked across politics and policies for think tanks, in the charity sector and as a senior adviser to Ed Miliband when he was the leader of the Labour party. Prior to her career in journalism, Sonia worked for two centre-left think tanks, IPPR and Demos, where she led programmes on education, families and social policy. After a stint working for the Labour party advising Ed Miliband, she then held a series of senior strategic roles for charities such as Which?, the Dartington Social Research Unit and Generation Change. As well as writing for the Observer she also covers stories for the Guardian and is a sought after media commentator, appearing regularly on news segments and BBC’s flagship politics shows and news segments. She is also passionate about social issues and has made Analysis documentaries for BBC Radio 4 on a diverse range of subjects from Brexit and immigration, to the future of work and the university system. Drawing on her work in the charity and policy sectors, in speeches she explores the rise in demand for socially responsible business practises and looks at how businesses can learn from other sectors to ensure that they are truly socially conscious. She is also an enthusiastic host and facilitator, bringing knowledge of both the big picture political issues and the current cultural questions to the table. Away from journalism and broadcasting, Sonia is a trustee of the Trust for London and the Indigo Trust, and is also a former primary school governor.

• Richard Toomer, Executive Director, Tourism Alliance
• Nathan Stower, Head of Public Policy UK & Ireland, TUI
• Alistair Rowland, Chairman, ABTA 
• Mark Tanzer, Chief Executive, ABTA
• Luke Petherbridge, Director of Public Affairs, ABTA
• Christine Quigley, Vice President, Crestview Strategy 
• Hazel McGuire, General Manager UK & Ireland, Intrepid Travel
• Rob Griggs, Policy and Public Affairs Director, Airlines UK

09:00 – 09:30 – Networking breakfast
09:30 – 10:45 – Travel Matters conference sessions
10:45 – 11:15 – Networking tea and coffee break
11:20 – 13:00 – Travel Matters conference sessions
13:00 – 14:00 – Networking light lunch

Tickets are available to purchase for ABTA members/Partners and non-members. 

ABTA member/ABTA Partner rate* – £150 plus VAT 
Non-member rate – £279 plus VAT

*To qualify for the ABTA member/Partner discount you must have a current ABTA member/Partner number or your application must be in progress when the event takes place.

Non-members are welcome to attend ABTA Conferences and Events. For information about becoming a member click here.

View our booking terms and conditions here.

Media partner

Global is one of the world’s leading Media & Entertainment groups. Global is home to national market leading media brands broadcasting across the UK on DAB & FM and worldwide on Global Player which allows listeners to enjoy all of Global’s radio brands, podcasts and playlists, in one place. Global is also a leading Outdoor company in the UK & Europe, with over 235,000 sites reaching 95% of the UK population. Its portfolio encompasses TfL’s Underground network, almost all major UK airports, the UK’s largest portfolio of roadside posters and premium digital screens in prime locations, and the UK’s largest network of buses in all major cities. On-air, on Global Player and with our outdoor platforms combined, Global reaches 51 million individuals across the UK every week. Global created and operates DAX (Digital Ad Exchange), the market leader in digital audio advertising and a pioneering platform in programmatic outdoor advertising. 

Programme sponsor

Avis operates from over 5,000 locations in 165 countries worldwide. Avis is a trusted and award-winning brand with a long history of innovation in the car rental industry and is one of the world’s top brands for customer loyalty, with a commitment to true convenience and exceptional service.  Avis works successfully with over one hundred TMCs, Tour Operators and Global Partnerships including Airlines, hotels, credit card and member schemes.  To ensure our customers enjoy a truly global service, we explore every opportunity to create and satisfy local demand everywhere we operate, choosing the rental locations most convenient for our customers. This approach has resulted in our exceptional international presence.

We are an independent broker with a dedicated team of experienced professionals who care about protecting your business, offering tailored insurance packages at outstanding value.

We are the claims service you can depend on, and you will benefit from our in-house claims team, you will also receive expert risk management advice tailored to your business needs.

We have provided specialist insurance for tour operators and travel agents for over 20 years. We provide a one stop shop service for the travel industry and no matter the size or scale of your business, we are here to help.

Networking sponsors

Sabre, recognized as a leading software and technology company, revolutionizes the global travel industry with innovative solutions. Established in 1960 through a collaboration between American Airlines and IBM, it introduced the world’s first computerized airline reservation system. Today, Sabre is at the core of the travel ecosystem, delivering technology that powers mobile apps, check-in kiosks, online travel sites, and more, connecting people with meaningful experiences. This journey, spanning over six decades, is marked by significant technological advancements that have made travel more efficient and accessible. As it looks to the future, Sabre is committed to advancing travel technology through artificial intelligence, machine learning, and real-time data analytics, with the aim of offering personalized travel experiences in a cloud-based marketplace. The company's dedication to innovation and continuous partnerships drive its mission to become the premier global travel technology platform, enhancing operations, increasing revenue, and personalizing traveler experiences for its customers and their clients.
 

Trust Payments provides on-demand payments and commerce services to help travel businesses grow and scale online, in-store and on mobile. Our focus is driving value through personalised services and innovative products that transform travel experiences and are backed by secure and frictionless payments.

Trust Payments has a global footprint, with over 500 people across 11 offices. Our offerings incorporate several payment methods with card acceptance powered by an acquiring network of over 50 global banks. We hold Visa and Mastercard Principal Memberships and are also partnered with JCB and Discover Global Network for cross-border business. Find out more at www.trustpayments.com.