Mark Tanzer, chief executive, Abta
Abta has strong links with government, and we look forward to building on these with the new prime minister and cabinet. Over the coming months, we will be working to demonstrate the significant value of the UK travel industry to the economy, outlining what we need to secure a prosperous and sustainable future for the sector.
Part of this will be looking at help to deal with the steep rises in energy bills and other operating costs that UK travel businesses face. Extending business rates support beyond the end of the current financial year is one action government could take. It should also consider a financial package of support with help targeted at SMEs and independent traders.
With Covid-19 still at large, the government needs to work with industry on a winter resilience plan for travel, should cases rise further during the winter months or new variants emerge. Abta’s planning is already under way, working with members and the wider industry, and we’d welcome the opportunity to work with government on this.
We also need clear ministerial responsibility to bring together the various strands of policy that affect international travel, and which fall across several government departments. This affects, in particular, two of the fundamental policy issues of the day. Developing a more sustainable travel industry will require cooperation between industry and government, and there is also more to do on the UK’s new relationship with the EU, including around labour mobility and ensuring smooth processes at UK/international borders.
We have written to both leadership candidates making these points, and one of Abta's priorities will be strong and effective dialogue with the new prime minister and their team once they are in their post.
Zina Bencheikh, managing director EMEA, Intrepid Travel
The new prime minister must take bold action on climate change. With record temperatures and drought across Europe, the climate crisis is more apparent than ever. If this becomes standard each summer, it will massively impact our industry. Urgent action is needed. It’s great the UK has enshrined into law the target of zero net emissions by 2050, but the real test will be achieving this. The UK government should lead on reducing aircraft emissions and support the development of clean technologies.
Secondly, tackling the skills shortage should be high on the new PM’s to-do list. In the UK, 200,000 jobs remain vacant in hospitality and 40% of operators in travel are worried about recruitment. We have seen the impact shortages have, particularly on aviation. We were told the benefit of Brexit was that we could control levels of migration to this country rather than simply stopping it. The next government shouldn’t be afraid to take a common sense approach and open the UK to the talent it desperately needs.
Finally, I’d like to see the new PM simulate diversity and inclusion. Although there have been improvements for women in business, there is a long way to go – just nine Ftse 100 companies are run by women, and progress has stalled due to the pandemic. We know that diverse teams are good for workplaces and outcomes. The new leader has an opportunity to create a robust strategy to build the workplace of the future.
Bharat Gadhoke, head of commercial, Aito
Congratulations, prime minister. Here’s a quick win amid the current crises, something no other PM has ever done. It’s a new ministerial role – not a ministry, nor a quango – no, it's someone who would be responsible for a sector that generates more sales than agriculture and fisheries combined, yet is seemingly invisible to government.
The travel sector, states the Office for National Statistics, suffered the highest pandemic losses of any industry. "Travel" should not be confused with airlines and aviation, which is a totally different sector well-supported via numerous parliamentary lobbyists. Travel businesses are those UK companies arranging and/or selling travel to customers both in the UK and worldwide. It includes tour operators and travel agents – tour operators create the holidays, while travel agents are high-street vendors of our holidays. They also tailor-make trips for their clients.
Travel must be given the higher status it deserves. Travel kick-starts the economy from a standing start, opens doors to better relations with nations worldwide, and delivers sustainability concepts and ideas to organisations worldwide needing advice on this vital topic. UK tour operators are particularly accomplished innovators within the wide realms of travel and, importantly, they fly the flag for “Global Britain”.
Key issues that need tackling include the many, ultimately too disparate, rules travel is subject to, which are totally disconnected from the industries governed, while being created and overseen by five different ministries. Confusion is rife for businesses and consumers alike. We need fewer – but better – regulations, across all travel businesses, giving clarity to stakeholders and consumers. A minister for travel would be a key starting point.
Jacqueline Dobson, president, Barrhead Travel
First and foremost, the new prime minister needs to get someone in place who represents the entire travel industry. This has been a problem we’ve been up against for the duration of the pandemic – the lack of knowledge in government to understand exactly how the travel industry operates.
Having ministerial representation for transport, maritime and aviation is great for those sectors – but the UK travel industry spreads far beyond these areas. We need someone who speaks for our wide-ranging travel eco-system, someone who genuinely wants to engage with businesses to understand their challenges and acknowledges the significant contribution that travel makes to the economy. Such representation should be mirrored across the UK too with the aim to ensure all four nations work collaboratively on an outbound travel strategy.
We’d also be keen to see the regeneration of high streets and communities near the top of the next PM’s agenda. Typically, retail travel agents form the backbone of communities, but I don’t believe we’re seeing enough incentive or investment support for retailers at the moment, particularly against the backdrop of the cost of living crisis. Prioritising community spaces, local businesses and harnessing talent and entrepreneurship on the high street should be addressed as a matter of urgency.
