Royal Caribbean has helped ABTA LifeLine raise £34,000 with a donation of more than £10,000.

During the 2023 ABTA Travel Conference in Bodrum earlier this week, Royal Caribbean director of sales Stuart Byron presented Abta LifeLine director Trudie Clements with a cheque for £10,249.

The industry charity raised a total of £34,000 during the convention, with cash coming from other fundraising efforts such as a cycle ride, a raffle and an auction.

“We now need to see that commitment to the cause extend beyond the convention,” Clements urged, encouraging the travel industry to pledge their support “all year round” by signing up to its £2 per employee pledge.

Businesses already signed up to the appeal include TUI, easyJet holidays, Blue Bay Travel, Kuoni, G Adventures, Seabourn and Dawson and Sanderson.

Commitment to ABTA LifeLine “must extend beyond the convention”, Clements urges

“ABTA LifeLine is there for people at the hardest times in their lives – whether that’s financial assistance whilst someone is on long term sick, vital debt advice or counselling support after a bereavement or relationship breakdown,” Clements continued.

“It’s been great seeing the enthusiasm and support for LifeLine over the last few days, and my thanks goes to all of those involved. We know that times are tough for personal finances right now and this makes individual giving and fundraising much more difficult, which is why we’re really keen for members to get involved via corporate giving through the £2 per employee appeal.”

Last month Royal Caribbean revealed the name of its second Icon class vessel, which is due to launch in summer 2025.