Future Travel Coalition sets out industry asks to new prime minister

The Future Travel Coalition (FTC) has written to new prime minister Andy Burnham to set out how government policy can support the travel and tourism industry.

The coalition, which represents a large proportion of the UK’s organised travel market, warned that “rising taxes, high employment costs and increased regulatory burdens” pose a challenge for businesses.

FTC members cautioned they would be unable to absorb the increased costs without denting demand, investment and jobs.

They also pointed out the difficulties caused by the rising cost of living, while citing air passenger duty and local tourism taxes as among the taxes and levies making the UK “less competitive”.

The letter states the UK’s tourism industry generates more than £165 billion in gross added value annually, accounting for 6.7% of the UK economy, while paying more than £36.6 billion in tax revenues.

It also welcomes recent government efforts to improve relations with the EU, but notes the group’s desire for further progress on youth mobility and tackling operational barriers.

FTC members said they are keen to engage with ministers and officials in relation to the government’s intention to publish a tourism growth plan. 

They added they approve of the ambition to attract more than 50 million annual visitors to the UK by 2030.

They also highlighted the role travel and tourism businesses will play in delivering many of the policy proposals, including those aimed at addressing skills and workforce challenges.

Signatories of the letter include Abta, Aito, the Business Travel Association, Anita (Association of Northern Ireland Travel Agents), Atas, Atta, Clia, the ITT, Lata, SBiT (Seasonal Businesses in Travel), the SPAA, The Travel Network Group and UKinbound.

The coalition confirmed The Advantage Travel Partnership remains a member, with a spokesperson noting: “Not all partners sign up to all communications.”