An association UK online travel companies has pledged to champion the “critical benefits” they provide to consumers and the economy with the new government.
Online Travel UK’s key policy focus areas are outlined with a new identity and website.
The group’s 11 members, including online travel agencies, metasearch platforms and rail ticketing sites, formed last year as a united industry voice for pro-consumer policy and digital innovation in travel.
Members are Airbnb, Booking.com, eDreams Odigeo, Expedia Group, Kiwi.com, lastminute.com, loveholidays, On the Beach, Skyscanner, Trainline and Travel Republic.
The association aims to collaborate with government, policymakers and regulators “to advocate for an innovative, competitive and consumer-centric travel and tourism industry”.
It will focus on consumer protection and choice, and fair and competitive digital markets.
A spokesperson said: “We have been engaging with a range of stakeholders across the political landscape over the past year, and are looking forward to working with MPs, newly appointed ministers and regulators on a range of policies and priorities for our members in the coming weeks and months.
“Learning from the pandemic, we now have the chance to update and modernise consumer protections for the sector. The healthy competition and transparency that online travel companies provide drives innovation, value and quality across the sector – this is good for consumers and supports wider economic growth. By enabling digitisation and facilitating more constructive collaboration with transport and accommodation suppliers, both consumers and the UK economy will reap the rewards.
“The new government also has a golden opportunity to boost innovation in the travel industry, by working at speed to implement the UK’s new competition rules for digital markets. By doing this, consumer choice will increase and the UK will reach its full potential as a travel-tech innovation hub. Our members are at the forefront of innovation in travel and are perfectly positioned to support.”