The Business Travel Association has added its weight to calls for a government rethink of plans to cut student travel courses in England.
First highlighted by Travel Weekly, travel and tourism courses for those aged 16 to 19 are set to be scrapped after 2025.
Academics and industry figures have urged the sector to lobby against the intention to abolish travel and tourism qualifications.
Joining the debate, Business Travel Association chief executive Clive Wratten said: “The government’s decision to scrap travel and tourism courses for students in England is extremely short-sighted.
“This is yet another blow to our sector which is experiencing severe staffing and retainment issues post-pandemic.”
He added: “The Department for Education should not be discouraging students away from any career choice, especially those that have a huge impact on the economic prosperity of our country, such as travel.
“As a sector, we must lobby and do all we can to ensure this does not go forward.”