Showing that Travel Matters

Connecting with the right people to represent our members’ views and influence government policy is a core part of ABTA’s day-to-day work. This week it included our annual Travel Matters policy conference, which this year was followed by a parliamentary drop-in event. Together, these events gave members and travel industry bodies the opportunity to share their concerns directly with government representatives and discuss how the travel industry can help drive growth.

We brought together ABTA members, UK Inbound, Airlines UK, UK Hospitality and Frontex – who are at the coalface on EES - and influential parliamentarians and the media.  

With the Travel Matters theme of ‘crossing borders, enriching people and powering the economy,’ I outlined in my opening address that we are in a time not of crisis but of challenge, and how the travel industry is well placed to adapt to this.

Discussions explored how businesses can build resilience and maintain a competitive edge, as well as outlining what support the industry needs from policy makers.

It was encouraging to hear in the keynote from Tourism Minister, Stephanie Peacock MP, that she and the Government understand the importance of outbound travel as part of the ecosystem that makes up the visitor economy and its contribution to jobs, growth and opportunity in every part of the country.

The influence of these events extended further through the national and trade media attending who published multiple stories across The Times, the Guardian, the Daily Telegraph, The Sun and many more.

Over 20 Parliamentarians attended the parliamentary drop-in event, and you can read more about that here.

Mark Tanzer, Chief Executive