Recruiting members ‘top priority’ for UK Outbound Travel Group

The UK Outbound Travel Group says recruiting new members is a “top priority” as the lobbying body plans a “bold” and “ambitious” agenda for the year ahead.

 

Following its annual strategy meeting, it noted a year of “significant” progress as the group “sharply intensified” its engagement with parliamentarians and policymakers.

 

A further 14 visits with MPs took place in constituencies, with politicians hearing about the challenges facing businesses in the UK outbound travel sector.

 

This brings the MP engagement programme to more than 100 visits since the group was established in 2023.

 

The year also saw the group host its inaugural Westminster event in June, with tourism minister Stephanie Peacock MP in attendance.

 

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Julia Lo Bue-Said OBE, Advantage Travel Partnership chief executive and spokesperson for the UK Outbound Travel Group, said: “This has been a landmark year, and I’m proud of what our members have achieved together.

 

“From further MP visits across the country to our first-ever Westminster event, we’ve strengthened our voice and continued to build relationships with policymakers.

 

“We have ambitious plans for the rest of 2026 and into 2027, and we are more determined than ever to make the case for our sector.”

 

Lo Bue-Said pointed to the group’s growing membership as another major milestone, with the Specialist Holidays Group and PT Trustees joining as Champion members in June.

 

Recruiting further members, would remain a top priority, she added.

 

“We have introduced tiered pricing to put membership within reach of every travel company, whatever its size,” she continued.

 

“Our vision is to bring together as many voices as possible from right across the sector with a focus on outcomes.

 

“This group is about government and industry working hand in hand to create the conditions for travel businesses to grow and invest, while keeping consumers at the centre of every policy decision.

 

“Looking ahead, the group’s agenda for the next 12 months will tackle the issues that matter most to its business community, at a time when regional growth, high streets and economic delivery are at the heart of Andy Burnham’s policies.

 

“It will do so by further amplifying the voice of the sector, pushing for school holidays calendar reform, and securing greater recognition of the regulatory misalignment affecting many travel businesses, specifically when it comes to the Package Travel Regulations.”

 

The meeting was attended by Chris Photi of The Travel Specialist Consultancy, Andy Freeth of Specialist Holidays Group, Sara Zimmerman and Martyn Sumners of Aito, Joanna Kolatsis of Themis Advisory, Samantha Bradbury of Abtot and Julia Lo Bue-Said, Advantage Travel Partnership.