In a letter from chief executive Mark Tanzer, Abta highlights the "valuable role – and passion – travel agents have" both in "helping their customers organise their holiday" as well as supporting them in the unlikely event that something goes wrong.
 
The submission also aims to provide MPs with information and background on the impact of the pandemic on the travel industry, including how government decisions not to offer sector-specific support, and to withdraw furlough support significantly ahead of the lifting of travel restrictions, "worsened" the recruitment challenges.
 
"It’s important MPs on the committee understand the travel industry’s complex supply chain," Tanzer added. "Travel agents in particular are wholly reliant on the published inventories and flight schedules of airlines and tour operators and have no control over some of the operational issues seen in recent weeks.

"The hearing rightly focused on what had happened and how the companies involved responded, but we felt it was necessary and helpful for the committee to hear from the wider industry."