ABTA’s plans for sustainable travel and tourism: “A long-awaited solution is required”

In the run-up to the General Election ABTA  is highlighting the importance of travel and tourism to the UK economy, and asking MPs to work with the industry to secure a sustainable future.

Titled ‘Value Tourism’, ABTA’s manifesto points out that tourism generated £146bn in revenue within the UK in 2018 and supports more than 3 million jobs across the country.

“There has never been a more important time to build confidence in travel”

ABTA is asking the Government to prioritise three themes in the next Parliament:

1. Building confidence in travel, which includes working with the industry to achieve carbon reduction targets, as well as bringing forward a consultation on airline insolvency.
2. Securing tomorrow’s travel workforce, which focuses on the need for a liberal, open, immigration regime and to secure a reciprocal deal on posted workers with the EU.
3. Ensuring the UK remains competitive by reducing APD in line with EU competitors and supporting high street businesses by considering targeted measures including business rates reform.

Commenting on the launch, ABTA’s head of public affairs, Luke Petherbridge, says, “This General Election is an important opportunity to remind political decision-makers just how valuable travel and tourism is to the UK, and to call upon them to work with the industry to deliver a successful and sustainable future.

“There has never been a more important time to build confidence in travel and government plays a vital role in delivering this. One of our asks is to lead a consultation on a comprehensive regime of consumer protection in the event of further airline insolvencies. A long-awaited solution is required to ensure there is clarity for consumers and fair and equal treatment for all companies who make flight seats available”.

ABTA is sending its manifesto to all candidates and will use it as a tool to educate and engage with newly elected MPs from all parties after the election. It can be downloaded at abta.com/valuetourism