ABTA reveals plans for engagement with MPs and candidates at party conferences

ABTA’s public affairs team will attend all three political party conferences over the next few weeks to highlight the importance of the outbound travel industry to the UK economy and discuss the policy priorities to support UK travel businesses.

The team will be meeting with MPs and parliamentary candidates to share ABTA’s data, which shows that the UK outbound travel industry contributes £49bn to the UK economy, supporting 840,000 jobs. The data also forecasts the industry to grow by 15% compared to 2019, outstripping forecasts of 10.3% growth for the overall UK economy over the same period.

ABTA will also take the opportunity to discuss specific policy issues the industry needs the government to address, including extending the youth mobility scheme to EU countries to ensure UK travel businesses can employ UK staff in EU destinations.

Conference season kicks off this weekend with the Liberal Democrat Conference in Bournemouth. It will then be followed by Conservatives in Manchester and Labour in Liverpool.

Luke Petherbridge, Director of Public Affairs at ABTA – The Travel Association, said: “It’s a big few weeks for UK politics as the major parties use their conferences to kickstart their election campaigns and make their cases for why they should be given the keys to Number 10 at the next election.

“For ABTA, it’s a great opportunity to connect with MPs and candidates. When you’re up for election, you want to show you understand the constituency you represent and show support to local people and businesses. This is where our constituency-level data on outbound travel is hugely valuable.

“Travel is a major contributor to the UK – and there is a big policy agenda that we’re engaging with. We’re looking forward to these conversations at Party Conferences and forging relationships with current and future MPs. I am also keen to remind ABTA members that template materials are available to them on abta.com, which they can share with their local MP or candidate.”