Travel Weekly’s ten ‘agent reporters’ will be giving us their perspective on the Travel Convention 2010 throughout the event
It was interesting to hear Abta chief executive Mark Tanzer saying the the travel industry was entering its “second era” and the convention was designed to bring our different points of view together. But what we need now is to see real action.
Tanzer said Abta must carry practical proposals and the industry voice to government, and said the government should recognise the trade’s contribution to the national economy.
But I can remember Digby Jones – as he was then – speaking at the 2003 convention in Palma and questioning why there was no minister solely responsible for the tourism industry and asking whether we realised the extent of travel and tourism’s contribution to the economy.
Seven years on and we don’t seem any further forward, so when will it actually happen?
We were also told that there were radical proposals to widen consumer protection to restore confidence in the market. But I feel the independent high street agent is fed up of constantly hearing this line.
Clarification must be demanded as to exactly what is and isn’t protected. We are supposed to advise our clients and there are still no clear details of exactly what the parameters are.
- Travel Weekly agent reporters are sponsored by Belleair Holidays, Air Malta, Malta Tourism Authority and Abta
