Wanted: top travel lobbyist

SENIOR travel bosses are calling for the industry to put aside its differences and start lobbying Government on issues that matter with one voice.

The call follows disparaging remarks from former Number 10 spin doctor Alastair Campbell, who shamed delegates at the Institute of Travel and Tourism conference in Doha claiming the industry was fragmented and useless at standing up for its interests.

Referring to the lack of coherent reaction after Foreign and Commonwealth Office travel warnings, Campbell said: “Your lobbying wasn’t effective partly because there’s not a single voice.”

Industry chiefs have called for a Cabinet minister with sole responsibility for tourism. They have also called for the Government to recognise outbound tourism, not just the domestic market.

Currently tourism is dealt with by myriad departments including the Department of Trade and Industry, the Department for Culture, Media and Sport and the Department of Transport.

TUI UK managing director Chris Mottershead said finding one high-profile speaker to put outbound tourism on the political agenda would be difficult. “It’s about having an individual with the experience and expertise to speak for the different parties.”

Other issues up for debate include collecting passenger details before they fly – which the industry claims it is unable to do – security measures, sustainable tourism and taxation.

Thomas Cook trade relations director Ian Derbyshire said: “There is no focus from the Government on outbound tourism and what we do to generate wealth.”

ABTA head of corporate affairs Keith Betton said: “There are many cases we put to Government, but there are too many different levels, such as the DTI and the DCMS. We don’t have a ministry of tourism with a seat in Cabinet.”

A DTI spokeswoman said consumer minister Gerry Sutcliffe – appointed a year ago – met with ABTA, the Federation of Tour Operators and MyTravel recently.