Happy New Year everyone and I hope business is going well during this this key booking period.

In the last few days the media have been remarkably supportive with stories, including comment from ABTA, about a strengthening pound and lower oil prices, and this should help encourage demand. Don’t forget to get involved with our Earlybird campaign launching next week and also to remind families of the substantial savings they will make, particularly on long haul flights, with the abolition of APD for children under 12 years old for travel after 1st May.

We will experience several significant political and policy events throughout the next twelve months; the general election in May, the final recommendations of the Airport Commission and the long awaited unveiling of the European Commission’s revised Package Travel Directive; all of these will have potentially profound impacts on Members’ business and the wider travel industry. ABTA  will continue to work throughout the year, influencing politicians in Brussels and Westminster and other key decision makers to ensure the industry’s voice on these crucial issues is heard and acted upon.

Mark Tanzer, Chief Executive