Abta has highlighted environmental issues along with the need for business rates support and a youth mobility scheme in its Budget submission today (January 24).
The association has written to the Chancellor of the Exchequer, Jeremy Hunt MP (pictured), outlining the policy priorities for travel and tourism as the treasury puts together its forthcoming Budget.
Although not held until the first week of March, formal submissions to the treasury about the Budget must be received by today.
Abta’s submission emphasises the importance of outbound travel and tourism to the UK economy, and the popularity of overseas holidays with the public.
It also calls for a review of regulatory, taxation and business support frameworks to help the industry’s transition to net zero and “ensure the UK is best placed to maximise associated job creation and economic opportunities”.
The letter says policy must be co-ordinated to support the establishment of a domestic Sustainable Aviation Fuels (SAF) industry, “with measures such as a price certainty mechanism being expedited to support the government’s commitment to construct five SAF plants by 2025”.
Abta also urges business rates reform, noting how many members are still paying off Covid-era debts and facing higher operational costs.
Furthermore, it highlights how new youth mobility scheme arrangements should be reached with EU countries “to help meet challenges for the sector arising from post-Brexit restrictions on labour mobility”.
Luke Petherbridge, Abta director of public affairs, said: “It is always important to press home the policies which will help our sector to thrive, ahead of any Budget.
“But with a general election certain in the next 12 months, it’s important to strongly represent travel and tourism both now and throughout the year.
“Our Budget submission is one of the many ways in which Abta will be speaking with politicians across the political spectrum, to help realise our sector’s potential for growth and contribution to the UK economy.”