MPs pledge to raise #SaveTravel issues in parliament

Penny Gray, founder of Kent-based agency Gilchrist & Gray, met with former business secretary Greg Clark, Conservative MP for Tunbridge Wells, to discuss the plight of the industry last week. “We had a really useful discussion,” she told TTG.

“My main focus is to get people in parliament to really understand the issues the industry faces. We need direct sector-specific support right now because furlough is coming to an end, and there is no restart for travel in sight.”

Gray said Clark told her he would update her after discussing the issues with his Westminster colleagues when parliament returns on 2 September.

C The World’s Steve Giles heard from his local Bath MP, Liberal Democrat Wera Hobhouse, who said she remained “very concerned” about the impact of Covid-19 on travel, “particularly as more countries are added to the quarantine list”.

“Although I understand the need to try and prevent infections being brought into the country, this should not be at the expense of the travel industry,” wrote Hobhouse. “If we do not prevent the collapse of travel operators, tens of thousands more [people] will lose their jobs through no fault of their own.”

AmaWaterways’ senior marketing executive, Manisha Chaggar, shared her reply from Jonathan Lord, Conservative MP for Woking, who promised to raise concerns “with relevant ministers at the next opportunity”.