Today ABTA is launching our latest programme of Regional Business Meetings, which start on 15 September with the South and run until 29 October with Northern Ireland. There are 11 meetings in the programme, which are free for Members to attend, and the significance of this year’s programme will be apparent to all as we continue to find a path through this crisis.

You won’t be surprised to learn that we have decided to host these meetings virtually, and much of the focus will be on dissecting the current industry picture. This will include where the industry stands with the Government’s quarantine measures and FCO advice. It will address feedback from Member Surveys and the steps ABTA has taken to ease the financial burden on Members. It will also include significant topics such as Brexit and a new forum that will take the form of a panel discussion that looks at how we can work together to restore consumer confidence. 
 
Those Members who have been to previous meetings know that they are a valuable source of information, and I would encourage as many Members as possible to tune in. Please reserve your place as soon as possible at abta.com/regionalbusinessmeetings to share information and find support for getting through this troubled time.

If anything, the last two weeks have highlighted how unpredictable the recovery is going to be and the ongoing need for the Government to provide sector specific support. We recently sent out a Member survey to gauge the impact of COVID on current business, and I encourage you all to give us feedback so that we can make the strongest possible case to Government.
 
Thank you to those Members that have already replied. If you have not already, please take the time to complete it before the deadline next week.

Mark Tanzer, Chief Executive