Abta highlights contribution of outbound travel sector at Parliamentary gathering

More than 20 MPs and peers attended an Abta parliamentary drop-in following its Westminster-based Travel Matters policy conference. 

Attendees were provided with tailored data showing the contribution of the travel industry in every parliamentary constituency across the UK.

The aim was to demonstrate the extent to which travel businesses support employment and economic contributions. 

The event on Tuesday brought together MPs and representatives from the travel industry, including Tui, Jet2, easyJet, Royal Caribbean and Virgin Atlantic, to discuss the economic and employment value, regional breadth, and interconnected nature of the UK travel industry.  

Those attending included shadow culture secretary and former tourism minister, Nigel Huddleston, as well as Culture, Media and Sport Committee chair, Dame Caroline Dinenage, and chair of the Tourism and Hospitality All Party Parliamentary Group Chris Webb, along with a number of other MPs and peers from across the political spectrum.

Abta public affairs director Luke Petherbridge said: “The event was another important day in Abta’s role in championing the UK’s outbound travel industry.

“We know that travel businesses support jobs and growth in every single UK constituency, with an economic contribution totalling more than £52 billion each year, and more than 800,00 jobs supported by the sector.

“We look forward to continuing discussions on how government can help the sector remain competitive and deliver the much-needed economic growth we all want to see." 

Abta and its members will follow up with MPs and peers who attended the event to continue discussions on the industry’s policy priorities and strengthen parliamentary engagement ahead of future policy and fiscal decisions.