Chance for delegates to put their questions to industry leaders and Government

ABTA is pleased to announce the speaker line up for its annual Westminster conference Travel Matters, taking place on 24 June. Among those headlining are Andrew Swaffield, The Monarch Group CEO and Channel 4 News presenter Cathy Newman. The current Aviation Minister Robert Goodwill is also set to present.

Coming just six weeks after the General Election, industry heavyweights will come together with key speakers from the Government to discuss the latest policy news from Westminster, Brussels and current issues affecting travel.

This year’s theme is ‘Choices for Growth’ - and the focus will fall on the important infrastructure and regulatory decisions ahead which will lay the groundwork for the future successes of the industry.

The event will be opened by ABTA’s Chief Executive, Mark Tanzer, who will highlight the key themes for discussion throughout the morning, including the challenges and opportunities facing travel and tourism businesses against a sometimes complex and changing political and legal landscape.

Other speakers at the conference include Graham Pickett, Lead Partner – Travel, Hospitality & Leisure, Deloitte and the European Commission officials responsible for the revision of the Package Travel Directive. The full programme can be viewed here.

The debates will once again be expertly steered by journalist and broadcaster, Daisy McAndrew.

Stephen D’Alfonso, ABTA Head of Public Affairs said: “Travel Matters will offer the industry the first chance to debate policy issues with the Government following the General Election in May. It will be an exciting opportunity for the industry to understand the new Parliament, and some of the key policy decisions it will face in the years ahead, including on airport capacity, taxation, and the regulatory issues that will have a significant impact on the industry now, and for years to come.”

Travel Matters is an invitation only event for senior representatives from ABTA’s Membership, industry stakeholders, travel and transport media as well as government departments and bodies.