Abta today launches a ‘Value Tourism’ campaign seeking support for the travel industry from candidates and voters in the May 7 general election.
The association contacted all candidates running in the election this week and asked them to show they support the industry.
Abta is using the hashtag #ValueTourism to support its lobbying efforts via a general election hub on its website.
It is highlighting the travel and tourism industry as a key driver of employment and investment across the UK, benefiting every region in England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales.
Abta chief executive Mark Tanzer said: “The general election will shortly take centre-stage, with the themes of employment and economic growth central to the pitch that political parties will be making to voters.
“Our sector makes a huge contribution to the economy, providing over three million jobs and generating £127 billion within the economy each year.
“We now have a precious opportunity to promote our industry’s value and to ask political leaders to give us the recognition we deserve; we must not waste it.”
Head of public affairs Stephen D’Alfonso added: “#ValueTourism sends a simple and powerful message to candidates: that travel and tourism matters to your voters.
“The campaign is about mobilising political candidates to show that they #ValueTourism by sharing with them the compelling data highlighting our industry’s impact at a local level, and letting them know that they can support the industry by becoming an advocate.
“Armed with the local data and infographics that we have prepared, travel and tourism businesses all over the country can get behind this campaign, on twitter, Facebook and with help from Abta’s public affairs team who will give you tips on how to lobby locally.”
“We hope to see as many travel and tourism businesses as possible get involved in order to ensure that our voice is heard as important decisions about our future are made.”
“Whether you are a political candidate, or a voter – a thriving travel and tourism industry matters because it creates and sustains jobs, and it encourages the investment and infrastructure needed in every constituency across the UK,” Abta says.
The association’s five-point manifesto outlining its position on the key issues facing the travel industry – published last summer – is a key feature of the lobbying drive together.
Election candidates are being targeted with infographics and regional economic data detailing the impact of tourism.