Patel, who served as home secretary for nearly three years until September 2022, recently paid Essex-based Inntel Travel a visit as part of the Advantage Travel Partnership’s MP engagement programme.

Chief executive Douglas O’Neill said: “Over the past few years, the travel industry – and in particular the business travel sector – has had to deal with a never-ending set of challenges, from the pandemic when international travel was largely closed, to the continued rise in inflation, rising operating costs and prices.

"As our local MP, it was a great opportunity to talk to her [Patel] about the issues we face, as well as update her on how the industry is currently trading and its growth prospects for the future.”

Patel paid tribute to the TMC, saying: “[Inntel Travel] are outstanding local employers who have built and grown their international business in the heart of mid-Essex. I was delighted to meet with Douglas and his team to discuss a number of business-related issues, which I shall I be raising in Westminster.”

Advantage Travel Partnership chief executive Julia Lo Bue-Said added: “We welcome MPs visiting our agency partners to better understand the value and contribution we make, so the industry can be better understood and supported across government.”

Lo Bue-Said pointed out the UK’s outbound travel industry, including business and leisure travel, delivered more than £80 billion to the UK economy each year. “Its overall size and contribution is larger than UK agriculture and fisheries combined,” she explained.