Tourism minister to deliver keynote speech at Abta Travel Matters

Tourism minister Stephanie Peacock MP will deliver the keynote speech from government at Abta’s annual Travel Matters conference on June 9.

Also speaking at the event in London will be On the Beach chief executive Shaun Morton, who will deliver this year’s industry insight session.

The conference theme is “crossing borders, enriching people and powering the economy” and will bring together chief executives, directors, political figures, government stakeholders and leading journalists.

An overview on the current macroeconomic situation and consumer sentiment will also be shared with delegates by speakers from Deloitte and Ipsos.

Delegates will also hear from Frontex, the European Border and Coast Guard Agency, on the introduction of the EU’s European Travel Information and Authorisation System (Etias), which is due to come into force later this year.

Abta chair Alisa Pollard and chief executive Mark Tanzer will be at the conference, along with Kate Nicholls, chair of UK Hospitality; Tim Alderslade, chief executive of Airlines UK; Joss Croft, chief executive of UKInbound; Uku Sarekanno, deputy executive director at Frontex; Kelly Beaver, chief executive of Ipsos; and Debo De, senior economist at Deloitte.

Following the event, Abta will host a parliamentary drop-in session with members, offering parliamentarians a chance to speak with industry representatives about the value the sector brings in terms of economic contribution and jobs across the country.

Luke Petherbridge, director of public affairs at Abta and moderator of this year’s Travel Matters, said: “Travel Matters is firmly established as the leading forum for the travel industry to come together with policymakers to address the challenges facing travel businesses.

“At this time of heightened uncertainty, it’s never been more important to ensure you’re informed about what’s going on in the world, geopolitically but also in terms of consumer sentiment and purchasing behaviour.

“I am particularly pleased that the tourism minister, Stephanie Peacock, has agreed to speak this year.

“With several government officials also due to be in attendance, the event will give us the ideal opportunity to set out our stall on the value of travel and tourism to the UK economy.

“This year’s sees us extend our activities, with a parliamentary drop-in straight afterwards, where we will really hammer home to MPs the importance of overseas travel to their constituents and the role local businesses in helping people travel with confidence.

“We’ll also promote the huge economic and employment contribution made by outbound travel, both to local and national economies.”