With less than one week to go until this year’s Travel Matters conference, there are a limited number of places left, with registration open until 6pm on Monday 21 June at abta.com/travelmatters2021.

Taking place virtually on Tuesday 22 June, ABTA’s Travel Matters event is the industry’s leading forum for bringing together senior representatives from across the UK travel and tourism industry to discuss the biggest political and policy issues facing the sector. For this year’s event, ABTA Members are encouraged to register free of charge.

The event comes at a critical time for the travel industry, just ahead of the Government’s review of requirements for international travel at the end of this month and the Travel Day of Action on Wednesday 23 June. Leading figures from Government, media and travel will explore how we can restore consumer confidence, unlock the industry and build a strong foundation to withstand future challenges under the theme: ‘Politics and Policies: An Agenda for Recovery’.

Confirmed speakers, many of whom will present live from a studio in central London, include:

• Mark Tanzer, Chief Executive, ABTA
• Robert Courts MP, Minister for Aviation, Maritime & Security, Department for Transport 
• Sir Stephen Hillier, Chair, Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) 
• Isabel Hardman, Assistant Editor, The Spectator and Presenter, Week in Westminster 
• Andrew Flintham, Managing Director, TUI Northern Region 
• Julia Lo Bue-Said, Chief Executive Officer, Advantage Travel Partnership
• Garry Wilson, Chief Executive Officer, easyJet holidays
• Alistair Rowland, ABTA Chair and CEO, Blue Bay Travel
• Joss Croft, CEO, UKInbound
• Joanne Stuart OBE, CEO, Northern Ireland Tourism Alliance (NITA)
• Mike Tibbert, Vice President, SPAA
• Luke Petherbridge, Director of Public Affairs, ABTA
• Martin Alcock, Director, Travel Trade Consultancy
• John de Vial, Special Adviser, ABTA
• Moderator: LBC's Tom Swarbrick

The one-day programme includes panel discussions on policy cooperation at home and abroad and financial protection, plus a practical workshop led by Travel Trade Consultancy to provide solutions to the most pressing regulatory, financial and strategic challenges facing travel business owners today.

There will also be 30-minute ‘lunch and learn’ sessions from destination partners Visit Hungary and The Algarve Tourism Bureau to inform delegates about the latest COVID-19 protocols and requirements in destination that will impact UK travellers.

Mark Tanzer, Chief Executive of ABTA – The Travel Association said:

“With our industry at breaking point after almost 18 months of restrictions, there’s never been a more critical time for us to come together to discuss the way forward for travel and tourism in the short, medium and long term. I urge our Members to take advantage of the free places on offer for this year’s event so they can hear directly from senior decision makers on what’s needed from future policy and politicians to help future proof travel businesses against the biggest challenges facing our sector.”

This year’s headline sponsor is Travel Trade Consultancy, the destination partners are Visit Hungary and The Algarve Tourism Bureau and the media partner is Global, the Media & Entertainment Group. For more information and to register, visit: abta.com/travelmatters2021.