Aviation minister Robert Goodwill and shadow transport secretary Mary Creagh have been confirmed as keynote speakers at Abta’s annual Travel Matters conference in June.
The theme of this year’s event is ‘Targeting Growth, 2015 and Beyond’ – focusing on economic growth and the opportunities that 2015 presents.
Political analyst Lewis Baston, who predicted Labour’s 2005 majority to the seat, and was just four seats off in predicting the Conservative minority in 2010, will offer views and predictions about the 2015 General Election. This will be followed by a discussion with three parliamentary candidates, all with connections to travel.
The candidates are Nigel Huddleston, Conservative parliamentary candidate for mid-Worcestershire (head of travel at Google); Luke Pollard, Labour/Co-operative parliamentary candidate for Plymouth Sutton and Devonport (formerly head of public affairs at Abta), and Helen Flynn, Liberal Democrat parliamentary candidate for Harrogate and Knaresborough, a swing constituency where tourism impacts are keenly felt.
The invitation-only event takes place on June 18 at the Millbank Centre in Westminster. The full programme of speakers will be announced shortly.
Abta chief executive Mark Tanzer said: “Travel Matters gives Abta, its members and key decision makers in Westminster and Whitehall the opportunity to come together and debate the important policy issues affecting our industry.
“With next year’s general election approaching rapidly, we will hear and discuss the plans that our political representatives have for the travel industry as well as ensuring that the views and needs of all sectors of the travel mix are represented.”