Online Travel UK (OTUK) on Wednesday (31 July) set out a renewed mission to "shape the future of travel and support UK economic growth’ with a new brand identity and website.
The group, whose 11 members include Booking.com, Skyscanner and On the Beach, has pledged to collaborate with the government and policymakers to create a more innovative, competitive and consumer-centric industry.
Consumer protection and choice, and ensuring a fair and competitive digital market, will be two key areas of policy focus for the group, OTUK explained. Membership spans OTAs, metasearch platforms and rail ticketing sites.
“The healthy competition and transparency that online travel companies provide drives innovation, value and quality across the sector – this is good for consumers and supports wider economic growth," said the group.
“By enabling digitisation and facilitating more constructive collaboration with transport and accommodation suppliers, both consumers and the UK economy will reap the rewards."
According to OTUK, the new Labour government has “a golden opportunity” to boost innovation and turn Britain into a “travel-tech innovation hub”. “Our members are at the forefront of innovation in travel and are perfectly positioned to support,” the group added.
OTUK joins a competitive travel lobby landscape, with several groups competing for ministers’ attention. This includes the UK Outbound Travel, the lobby group led by Advantage Travel Partnership chief executive Julia Lo Bue-Said, which counts more than 1,250 SMEs among its members.
Commenting on the formation of OTUK, Lo Bue-Said said: "We are sure there will be areas of overlap on issues and policies where we want to see change and will be delighted to work together with them where this is the case."
Formed in the aftermath of the pandemic, UK Outbound’s aim is increase the profile of the travel trade within government and among policymakers, including through an ongoing MP engagement programme.
The will meet in September to discuss the sector’s political engagement strategy post-election amid concerns about the government’s "poor understanding" of how the industry works.
"It will be an opportunity to discuss the group’s progress to date, reflect on the results of the general election, what this means for our work, the funding required to accelerate progress and the opportunities to expand our activity," said Lo Bue-Said in late June.
