Abta is urging agents to contact their local politicians to highlight travel’s contribution to local communities and economies, to mark ‘Small Business Saturday’ (December 3).
Small Business Saturday UK is a non-commercial campaign which celebrates small business successes and encourages consumers to ‘shop local’.
The day itself takes place on the first Saturday in December each year, supporting a wide range of small businesses – online, in offices and in stores.
Abta hopes agents will get in touch with their MPs, councillors and representatives of devolved administrations this week, to show how their businesses employ local staff and generate income for the community’s economy.
The association has provided a template letter, which can be edited and personalised, along with social media posts to promote the sector.
Businesses can include data on the contribution to their constituency’s local economy, which can be found in Abta’s value of travel data dashboard.
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Luke Petherbridge, director of public affairs at Abta, said: “Politicians are often heavily engaged in Small Business Saturday – spending time on the high street and getting involved in local initiatives that celebrate the business community.
“So, it is a perfect opportunity for businesses to introduce themselves to their MPs, representatives from the devolved administrations, or local councillors, and to talk about the important role of your business to the local economy.
“Invite them to your store, share our data on travel’s contribution to their constituency, tag them into social media posts – all these things help raise awareness of local travel businesses and the important role they have in helping high streets and communities thrive.
“Demonstrating the value of our industry is an ongoing job; we’re doing that by speaking with MPs, ministers and government officials, but it’s also essential that travel businesses establish direct relationships with politicians and make the case at a local level of why our industry matters.”
Abta will also be encouraging consumers via social media to visit their local Abta members this weekend.