Travel firms are being urged to reply to the latest survey on bookings and business matters compiled by industry lobbying group the Future Travel Coalition head of the general election.
The research covers a range of issues including recruitment, bookings compared to pre-pandemic 2019 and borrowing/access to finance.
The study is part of regular surveying to gather evidence to be used anonymously to support the coalition’s lobbying activities, both with the government and opposition parties.
The deadline for responses is 8 December 8.
It is important that MPs, prospective MPs and officials have evidence on the value of the UK travel industry ahead of the election, the coalition stressed.
Abta public affairs director Luke Petherbridge said: “Last week the chancellor delivered an autumn statement pitched as a plan for growing the economy.
“As a sector with huge growth potential – predicted to outpace the wider economy – it’s important we continue to work with politicians from all parties, and officials, to demonstrate the value our amazing industry brings not just to consumers, but jobs and economies locally and nationally.
“Travel is recovering from the pandemic and proving resilient, and it looks promising for the year ahead.
“But we know that many businesses, while trading well, have the debt built up during the pandemic to deal with now, and it’s a point we keep reminding politicians of.
“To be effective and influential we need the evidence from travel businesses on how things are going.
“It really makes a difference to the conversations with politicians, and is so crucial now, as parties are thinking about the case they want to make to the public ahead of the next general election.
“I can’t stress enough just how valuable the input of travel agents’ and tour operators is into the survey.”
The survey can be found here.