The association has identified five major priorities that it will be lobbying the government on, following the triggering of the Article 50 process for the UK to leave the European Union last week.
Abta is also calling for the continuation of visa-free travel between the UK and the EU, as well as protecting “valuable” consumer rights, ensuring “operational stability” for travel companies and looking for opportunities once the UK leaves the EU.
With holidays put on sale up to 18 months in advance, the association is also asking for “effective transitional agreements” with the EU if necessary so the travel industry can continue to operate as normal.
Abta chief executive Mark Tanzer said: “As the UK begins to extricate itself from the European Union, we want to work with the government to help them make Brexit a success.
“We believe that the benefits that UK holidaymakers currently enjoy, such as visa-free travel and the EHIC [European Health Insurance Card] should be prioritised and protected.
“The government must also make sure transition agreements are in place if needed. Travel and tourism is one of the UK’s largest industries and it is vital that the government makes sure it can continue to thrive during and after the negotiations.”
Abta set out its priorities for the Brexit negotiations over the next two years in a new report “Making a success of Brexit for travel and tourism”.
Alan Wardle, the association’s director of public affairs, said: “Over the last six months since the Brexit vote we have been working with members to find out what their priority issues are – the key things to preserve or change.
“We have been having conversations privately with ministers, MPs and civil servants. Now that Article 50 has been triggered, we are taking what we have been doing privately into the public space.
“We are letting members know what we are doing and letting the public know the issues that need to be resolved for the travel industry.
“There are consumer rights that may potentially slip off the agenda – such as EHIC and roaming fees. These are quite important benefits that people appreciate and take for granted. We want as many of these to be preserved as possible.”
