Tourism minister calls on industry to put across 'good messages' to young holidaymakers

Tourism minister Chris Bryant has called on the travel industry to do its bit to put across “good messages” to young holidaymakers.

Speaking at Abta’s Travel Matters conference, Bryant cited the safety of teenage travellers as one of the challenges facing the sector.

This includes making sure young holidaymakers understand the dangers of sunburn, drinking alcohol and taking drugs.

“There are lots of 16 and 17 year olds who travel and sometimes they don’t make good life choices,” he said.

He added: “Sometimes it’s about the government getting across good messages but sometimes it’s about the industry getting more good messages across.”

Bryant, who has been treated for skin cancer and has previously urged  people to protect themselves from the sun, said: “The British obsession of laughing at people who are lobster pink is daft. We know it [cancer] kills.”

He stressed the importance of the industry playing its role and getting across messages “responsibly” was important.

“I know you don’t want to be preaching to everyone who gets on an aeroplane,” he said, adding that he also wanted young holidaymakers to travel further.

Referencing his enjoyment of the TV show Race Across the World for highlighting new destinations, he said: “I would love more young British people to go to places they have never heard of.”

In a speech about the priorities for the sector, and plans for a tourism strategy to be in place by the end of 2025, Bryant also stressed the importance of sustainable travel and ensuring the industry has the skills to use artificial intelligence and harness its benefits.