The impact of Brexit on the UK travel industry will be discussed today (Tuesday) by more than 150 leaders from across the trade.
They will look at the possible scenarios for when the UK leaves the European Union, what these may mean for travel companies and how businesses can prepare.
The Abta event takes place just over a year before the UK is due to leave the EU on March 29, 2019.
The travel association has been encouraging the government to focus on four central points in relation to travel:
• Aviation access and open skies
• Ensure businesses can post staff to support holidaymakers
• Visa-free travel for holidaymakers and business travellers
• Protect valuable consumer rights
The meeting comes a day after Brexit secretary David Davis and Michel Barnier, European chief negotiator for Brexit, agreed in principle the terms for a transition period, which would operate from March 29, 2019 to end of December 2020.
The EU Council of Ministers is due to meet on Thursday, where it is hoped ministers will sign-off the agreement.
Abta chief executive Mark Tanzer said: “Agreeing the terms of a transition period is a helpful development, and would give a degree of confidence to consumers and businesses.
“But it’s important that, as an industry, we look ahead to what we’re transitioning to – we need to start talking about what the future relationship will look like and agreeing the legal framework to make this happen.
“Many travel companies have already begun to look ahead to 2019, knowing that some British holidaymakers will be looking to plan their trips now for next year.
“So today’s event is a good opportunity to for the industry to have a constructive conversation about some of the possible outcomes of the next phase of the negotiations, and identify how businesses may want to prepare.”
More: Opinion: Mark Tanzer, How can we prepare for life outside the EU?