Last week the chancellor George Osborne was goaded by opposition MPs during his Budget speech to pull a financial rabbit out of the hat.
With no money to give away, a pre-election bunny never materialised, but his announcement of APD reform was a victory for travel as significant as it was unexpected.
OK, so the tax remains and most travellers won’t benefit from new banding from 2015, but only the most optimistic tub‑thumpers saw him forgoing revenue in times of austerity.
After all the years of lobbying, to hear Osborne agree with the industry when he referred to the current APD system as “crazy” was vindication.
He also said: “It hits exports, puts off tourists and creates a great sense of injustice among our Caribbean and South Asian communities here in Britain.”
So the principle of the damaging social and economic impact of APD has been established and accepted at the highest level in government. The door is now surely open to go further.
Northern Ball tickets are on sale now
I’ve just got back from the Global Travel Group conference where I met numerous innovative and successful agents. Many told me how important it was to meet other agents and suppliers.
So I’m delighted that tickets are now on sale for our legendary Northern Ball, which gives agents and suppliers the chance to network in a fun environment. This year, the theme is ‘Round the World’ so may I wish you all a bon voyage to Manchester on September 18. See you there.