Travel Matters – London

ABTA’s Travel Matters conference returns on Wednesday 14 June 2023. 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 2030’. The conference will be moderated once again by LBC's Tom Swarbrick, with 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 changes over the coming years, including a general election, regulatory changes, sustainability roadmaps, education and skills reviews, and continued development of EU relations. Ahead of 2030, the conference will examine what longer term policy is required to support industry growth alongside the future of political economics in the UK, what we need from future EU relationships, and ahead of the next Parliament, the travel industry’s future relationship with Westminster. 

Speakers will explore the UK’s relationship with the EU post-Brexit, and what travel businesses need policymakers to focus on as we look to enhance trading relations in the years ahead. In particular the event will look at improving UK-EU labour mobility and ABTA will be sharing findings from a new joint research project with Seasonal Businesses in Travel (SBiT) on what has happened to labour mobility since the end of the Brexit transition period. Also hear about the outlook for travel and tourism qualifications and what the industry must do to support this important route into our sector. In addition, ABTA’s Mark Tanzer will be delivering an opening address and taking live Q&A and attendees will also hear from Izabella Kaminska (The Blind Spot) on the future of political economics in the UK.

The event will include welcome refreshments, time to network and a light lunch.

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

Moderator: 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.

Baroness Vere of Norbiton, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State, Department for Transport

Baroness Vere of Norbiton was appointed as a Parliamentary Under Secretary of State at the Department for Transport on 23 April 2019. She is responsible for: aviation, maritime, security, civil contingencies, Kent, international, women's safety and accessibility. She also previously held the position of Government Whip (Baroness in Waiting) for over two years.

Mike Kane MP, Shadow Minister for Aviation, Maritime and Security

Izabella Kaminska, editor of The Blind Spot

• Mark Tanzer, Chief Executive, ABTA 
• Luke Petherbridge, Director of Public Affairs, ABTA
• Diane Palumbo, Sales & Marketing Director, Skiworld and Spokesperson, SBiT (Seasonal Businesses in Tourism)
• Charles Owen, MD of European Pubs and MD, SBiT (Seasonal Businesses in Tourism)
• Alistair Rowland, Chairman, ABTA
• Claire Steiner, Director & Chair of Education and Training Committee, ITT
• John Garside, Lecturer Aviation, Travel & Tourism, Birmingham Met College 
• Giles Hawke, CEO, Cosmos Tours and Cruises and Avalon Waterways UK
• Vicki Wolf, Head of Education and Career Development, ABTA
• Danny Waine, Head of Membership, ABTA
   

Complimentary invitations are issued to senior industry figures, travel and transport media as well as leading political stakeholders. 

Additional tickets are available to purchase for ABTA Members/Partners and non-Members. 

ABTA Member/ABTA Partner rate* – £150 plus VAT 
Non-Member rate – £235 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. 

Sponsors

Crawford Legal Services is a law firm, and part of the wider Crawford global loss adjusting business, with offices in over 70 countries worldwide. We have a dedicated travel law team, with combined experience of over 50 years in the industry, and with expertise in;

• defending Package Travel Regulation claims
• bringing and defending personal injury claims abroad
• pursuing recoveries for travel companies / insurers
• policy advice 
• advising on Montreal, Athens and jurisdictional issues
• updating supplier contracts and terms and conditions

Our team has acted for many of the world’s leading insurers, brokers and corporates, including tour operators, travel agents and airlines. Please contact Victoria.Edwards@Crawco.co.uk for more information.

We’re proud to be ABTA’s partner providing advice and services to members in the specialist area of employee benefits. With long-standing experience within the travel sector we recognise the challenges, people risks and wellbeing needs that members and their employees face. 

Visit our dedicated ABTA webpage to find out more 
https://www.howdengroup.com/uk-en/ABTA-members

Sugati is a native Salesforce product specifically designed for companies specialising in tailor-made and group holidays. Sugati’s visionary approach aims to revolutionise the travel industry by empowering companies with innovative technology solutions. By providing a comprehensive suite of functionalities, Sugati enables travel companies to drive unparalleled growth and customer satisfaction while redefining the way tailor-made and group holidays are managed. From building branded itineraries in various formats to seamlessly handling client and supplier payments, generating client invoices, creating custom reports, and leveraging automation rules for increased efficiency, Sugati equips companies with the necessary tools to excel in the dynamic travel market.

For details on how to promote your company at this event, contact Sara Dolan on 07766 517 611 or sdolan@abta.co.uk