ABTA has launched its first manifesto, outlining the travel association's position on the major lobbying issues facing the travel industry. John McEwan, ABTA's chairman, addresses the key points.
As an industry, we will increasingly be under siege on many fronts in the future, and ABTA will lobby hard to get the next Government, whatever its political complexion, to see the value of domestic and outbound travel and what it brings to the UK economy as a critical driver of employment, investment and skills.
We need to hold any future administration's thirst for revenue raising by taxing travel, firmly in check. There is a limit to how much APD can be progressively raised, before it has significant and potentially irreversible consequences for our industry.
Changing tax positions, VAT and other issues need to be addressed. There are clear signs that every facet of this great industry is in accordance. The GTMC, on behalf of the UK travel management sector, launched its manifesto last month and we for one very much welcomed that step. Other organisations like AITO, the CAA, AAC and the PSA are undertaking similar initiatives also - and again we welcome this.
ABTA itself launched its own Manifesto, entitled Travel Matters, in Westminster on the 10th March.
The ABTA manifesto will act as a route map, a blue print for what we believe to be the areas of importance and concern for the customers, members and stakeholders of the UK outbound travel industry. The manifesto lays out clearly our views on the key areas of importance around consumer protection for flights, accommodation and holidays; it spells out our view on the desperately needed increase in airport capacity, the much needed reforms in airport passenger duty and a need to protect jobs in the industry; the manifesto also sees us call for a dedicated minister for Tourism, reflecting our true worth, as the fifth largest industry in the country, to UK Plc.
We need better rail and high-speed rail links at that, between the cities and the airports. We need greater incentives for using regional and local airports. What we are seeking is an integrated transportation systems with benefits for consumers and the industry alike.
There are many areas that we can address as one voice. Of course we can debate our different views and approaches - but to those outside our industry they should hear only one concerted sound.
This industry must lobby hard. We need to lobby the Government, the EU and the regulators such as the CAA. We need to influence the civil servants and the political advisors and researchers. We need to publicise the situation to the British public.
The target audiences for us are hugely fragmented - no one body can do it alone.
We need to have a greater voice with the legislators and regulators as an industry. We, the travel industry, need to have a voice befitting our size and importance to the UK economy. Most importantly, we must determine the future and not allow others to impose it upon us.
Now, we are operating in an economy that is still shaky - but that will not always be the case. When confidence does eventually come back we will meet a public that wants to see initiatives from us on environmental and sustainability issues; they will want expertise and leadership in health and safety, they will want to feel protected when travelling abroad and they will expect this industry of ours to have the ear of Government - both here and within the EU.
None of us know what the future holds - but one thing is certain, change will constantly happen. Challenges will arise continuously, but the UK travel industry and the individuals that populate it, are amongst the most resourceful and optimistic in British industry.
www.abta.com