MP Priti Patel has pledged to bring up travel-related issues in Westminster after visiting Advantage Travel Partnership member Inntel Travel.
Former home secretary Patel met with Inntel Travel chief executive Douglas O’Neill at the company’s headquarters in Witham, in Patel’s constituency.
During the visit, the pair discussed how the independent meeting and travel management company has adapted over recent years and its plans for the future.
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“Inntel Travel is a family-owned business which has been established locally for almost 40 years. They are outstanding local employers who have built and grown their international business in the heart of mid-Essex,” said Patel.
“I was delighted to meet with Doug and his team to discuss a number of business related issues which I shall be raising in Westminster.”
O’Neill said: “We thank Ms Patel for visiting our business and taking such a genuine interest in how we operate and the services we offer.”
“Over the last few years, the travel industry, and in particular the business travel sector, has had to deal with a never-ending set of challenges, from the pandemic when international travel was largely closed, to the continued rise in inflation, rising operating costs and prices.”
The visit took place as part of efforts The Advantage Travel Partnership to connect members with their local government representatives. Chief executive Julia Lo Bue-Said said: “We are delighted that Ms Patel has taken the time to pay a visit to Inntel Travel, a long established and much valued member of the Advantage Travel Partnership.
“The UK outbound travel industry, including both leisure and business travel, delivers over £80 billion overall gross value added (GVA) to the UK economy each year and its overall size and contribution is larger than UK agriculture and fisheries combined.
“As part of our MP engagement programme, we welcome MPs visiting our agency partners to better understand the value and contribution we make so that the industry can be better understood and supported across government.”