Tui Travel chief executive Peter Long has been recognised for his company’s support for the Family Holiday Association.
Long received an engraved crystal bowl from HRH Princess Alexandra at a House of Commons reception in London.
The All Party Parliamentary Group on Social Tourism then discussed its recent inquiry into the potential benefits that social tourism might deliver for the UK. The report will be published in October.
Long called for companies of the size and scale of Tui to be involved if the UK is to follow the lead of countries such as Spain and deliver large scale social tourism programmes.
Baroness Rendell of Babergh, better know as best-selling author Ruth Rendell, together with MPs Tony Baldry, Paul Maynard, Bob Russell and Anne-Marie Morris – all members of the APPG – attended.
FHA chairman Ian Reynolds said: “We were delighted that Her Royal Highness was able to attend the reception and to help us thank the senior members of the Tui team for their support and that of their staff.
“Thomson Airways crew and passengers, in particular, have collected over £700,000 in spare change in little over two years.
“The support we have received from all parts of Tui has helped give many hundreds of families a simple holiday at the British seaside.”