Abta will today announce details of its third annual Travel Matters conference with tourism minister John Penrose joining a keynote debate on government policy and “the UK tourism mix”.
The event in May offers a fresh opportunity to persuade politicians of the value of outbound travel and the need to take the sector as seriously as inbound and domestic tourism.
Abta was recently critical of a £4 million government advertising campaign that urges Brits to shun overseas holidays during the Olympic year and stay in the UK.
Penrose has agreed to speak on a panel which includes UK Inbound chief executive Mary Rance and VisitEngland chief executive James Berresford.
Rance has previously denounced air passenger duty (APD) and dismissed government forecasts of rising visitor figures as a “fantasy” in light of the taxes on travel and tourism.
UK Inbound has also been sharply critical of claims that the London Olympics will boost visitor numbers.
Thomas Cook UK mainstream chief executive Ian Ailles is also among the confirmed speakers, along with other senior industry figures.
Abta chief executive Mark Tanzer described the Travel Matters line-up as “outstanding”.
He said: “Travel Matters provides a fantastic opportunity for the industry to share and shape views on key policy issues.”
Travel Matters will be held on Thursday May 10 in Millbank, Westminster.
Headlines from last year’s event
Fair Tax campaign is ‘a lobbying model’
Treasury secretary rules out industry demand on APD
Target baby boomers and middle classes