Monarch Group chief executive Andrew Swaffield, Channel 4 News presenter Cathy Newman (pictured) and current aviation minister Robert Goodwill are due to speak at this year’s annual Abta Travel Matters conference.
Other speakers at the Westminster conference include Graham Pickett, lead partner – travel, hospitality & leisure at Deloitte, and European Commission officials responsible for the revision of the Package Travel Directive.
The debates will be moderated by journalist and broadcaster, Daisy McAndrew.
The latest policy news from Westminster, Brussels and current issues affecting travel will be on the agenda at the event on June 24, just six weeks after the General Election.
This year’s theme is ‘Choices for Growth’ – with a focus on important infrastructure and regulatory decisions ahead which will lay the groundwork for the future successes of the industry.
The conference will be opened by Abta chief executive, Mark Tanzer, who will highlight the key themes for discussion throughout the morning, including the challenges and opportunities facing travel and tourism businesses against a complex and changing political and legal landscape.
Abta head of public affairs Stephen D’Alfonso said: “Travel Matters will offer the industry the first chance to debate policy issues with the government following the General Election in May.
“It will be an exciting opportunity for the industry to understand the new Parliament, and some of the key policy decisions it will face in the years ahead, including on airport capacity, taxation, and the regulatory issues that will have a significant impact on the industry now, and for years to come.”
Travel Matters is an invitation-only event for senior representatives from the Abta membership, industry stakeholders, travel and transport media as well as government departments and bodies.