ABTA brought together more than 20 MPs and peers with travel industry executives, including representatives from Royal Caribbean, at a Westminster event focused on the value of the UK’s travel sector on Tuesday (11 June)

The event saw more than 20 parliamentarians including shadow culture secretary and former tourism minister, Nigel Huddleston MP, as well as the chair of the Culture, Media and Sport Committee, Dame Caroline Dinenage MP, and chair of the Tourism and Hospitality APPG Chris Webb MP, along with a number of other MPs and peers from across the political spectrum.

Also in attendance were executives from Royal Caribbean, TUI, Jet2, easyJet, and Virgin Atlantic, to discuss the economic and employment value, regional breadth, and interconnected nature of the UK travel industry.

Attendees were provided with data showing the contribution of the travel industry inconstituency across the UK, demonstrating the extent to which travel businesses support employment and economic contributions. The drop-in session formed part of ABTA’s ongoing parliamentary outreach programme.

Luke Petherbridge, director of public affairs at ABTA, said: “The event was another important day in ABTA’s role in championing the UK’s outbound travel industry.

“We know that travel businesses support jobs and growth in every single UK constituency, with an economic contribution totalling more than £52bn each year, and more than 800,00 jobs supported by the sector. We look forward to continuing discussions on how government can help the sector remain competitive and deliver the much-needed economic growth we all want to see.”

ABTA and its members will follow up with MPs and peers who attended the event to continue discussions on the industry’s policy priorities and strengthen parliamentary engagement ahead of future policy and fiscal decisions.