In a blog post, Tanzer said despite the issues that plagued the post-pandemic restart, international travel returned "strongly" in 2022 with the industry benefitting from "significant" pent-up travel demand.
"Inevitably, there was some disruption, especially over the early part of the summer," said Tanzer. "But that is to be expected given the industry had been largely mothballed for two years and emerged into staffing difficulties and associated operational challenges.
"Overall, though, members deserve great credit for delivering under very difficult circumstances."
Click/tap here to read TTG’s full turn of year interview with Abta chief executive Mark Tanzer
Tanzer said he was optimistic that the industry would continue to grow in 2023, but warned businesses would have to be adaptable and ready to come up with their own solutions to problems such as spiralling living costs and the industry’s recruitment and retention crisis "in the face of stiff competition from other sectors".
He urged government to partner with the industry to help achieve mutual sustainability and carbon neutrality goals, such as on sustainable fuels.
"There is a huge opportunity for the UK to lead the way in this area, but it requires a partnership approach and longer-term vision on behalf of policymakers," said Tanzer.
Members, he said, must be ready to contribute to government consultations on plans to reform the Atol scheme and Package Travel Regulations, with the industry’s destiny being at least partially in its own hands.
"This will require a detailed conversation within the industry about what the future of consumer financial protection looks like and what frameworks can deliver the best balance between consumer confidence and business flexibility," said Tanzer.
TTG also caught up with the new chair of parliament’s transport select committee, Iain Stewart. Our full interview with Stewart is also live here, while both pieces – with Tanzer and Stewart – are in the January 2023 issue of TTG.
