Abta steps up lobbying campaign as Andy Burnham takes office

Abta outlined ongoing government lobbying efforts to coincide with Andy Burnham being confirmed to succeed Sir Keir Starmer as prime minister today (Monday).

The travel association will be organising member visits with MPs over the summer to be followed by a reception at the Labour Party conference in Liverpool in September alongside UKinbound. 

The engagement programme is in addition to ongoing activity with civil servants, advisors and government bodies, as well as with new ministers following the unveiling of Burnham’s first government this week.

Abta aims to make contact and build relations with new government ministers and their advisors so that the value of outbound travel is recognised in the development of future policy. 

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This follows discussions having been held with more than 250 parliamentarians in the past 12 months, including tourism minister Stephanie Peacock, transport secretary Heidi Alexander and EU relations minister Nick Thomas-Symonds.

The parliamentary year concluded last Thursday, during which Abta saw nearly 100 politicians in person and delivered briefings for a further 160.  

Issues raised have included the review of the Package Travel Regulations, a new tourism growth strategy, the EU’s Entry-Exit System (EES), legislation on sustainable aviation fuels, and the English visitor levy. Abta has also been at the forefront of efforts to secure government support for a new UK-EU youth mobility agreement. 

Public affairs director Luke Petherbridge said: “Real influence comes when there is a balanced and sustained public affairs programme, where we communicate the needs of Abta members and the value of the outbound tourism sector to ministers, MPs and Lords, as well as civil servants, advisors and other policy influencers. 

“As the UK’s next prime minister starts his work, we will continue ours, communicating to government the best policy environment in which our industry can thrive, and contribute to the UK’s economic growth.”