11 Jun 2026 ABTA Parliamentary drop-in builds support for the outbound travel industry ABTA hosted a parliamentary drop-in event for MPs and peers in Parliament on Tuesday following its Westminster-based Travel Matters policy conference.The event saw more than 20 Parliamentarians including Shadow Culture Secretary and former tourism minister, Nigel Huddleston MP, as well as the Chair of the Culture, Media and Sport Committee, Dame Caroline Dinenage MP, and Chair of the Tourism and Hospitality APPG Chris Webb MP, along with a number of other MPs and peers from across the political spectrum.The event brought together MPs and representatives from the travel industry, including ABTA members TUI, Jet2, easyJet, Royal Caribbean and Virgin Atlantic, to discuss the huge economic and employment value, regional breadth, and interconnected nature of the UK travel industry. Attendees were provided with tailored data showing the contribution of the travel industry in every parliamentary constituency across the UK, demonstrating the extent to which travel businesses support employment and economic contributions. The drop-in session formed part of ABTA’s longstanding and ongoing parliamentary outreach programme.Luke Petherbridge, Director of Public Affairs at ABTA, said:"The event was another important day in ABTA’s role in championing the UK’s outbound travel industry. We know that travel businesses support jobs and growth in every single UK constituency, with an economic contribution totalling more than £52bn each year, and more than 800,00 jobs supported by the sector. We look forward to continuing discussions on how government can help the sector remain competitive and deliver the much-needed economic growth we all want to see."ABTA and its members will follow up with MPs and peers who attended the event to continue discussions on the industry's policy priorities and strengthen parliamentary engagement ahead of future policy and fiscal decisions.Notes to editorsABTA is a trade association for UK travel agents, tour operators and the wider travel industry. We’re the largest travel trade body, with over 3,500 travel brands in membership who have a combined annual UK turnover of over £41 billion. We work closely with our members to help raise and maintain standards and build a more sustainable travel industry, and provide travellers with advice, guidance and support.Our members sign up to a code of conduct and commit to agreed service standards and fair trading. When you need clear travel information, and accurate and impartial advice relating to your trip, we’re here for you. When you book with an ABTA member, reliable advice comes as standard. This means that booking with our members brings peace of mind.All this together means we help you travel with confidence. www.abta.com Photos L to R: Luke Petherbridge, Director of Public Affairs, ABTA, with:Mr Nigel Huddleston MP, Shadow Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport | Jonathan Hawkins, Royal CaribbeanMr Chris Webb MP, Chair of the Tourism and Hospitality All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG)Dame Caroline Dinenage MP, Chair of the Culture, Media and Sport Select Committee.
