Paul Carter, chief executive of Inghams, Ski Total, Esprit and Santa’s Lapland parent Hotelplan, said although he was personally “incandescent” over the handling of the UK’s exit from the EU by Westminster and the potential impact of a no-deal Brexit, he found the meeting last Friday “useful”.
“It was the latest in a number of meetings I’ve had alongside Abta with politicians and civil servants, and they are listening,” Carter told TTG.
“There are experts who do understand the industry’s needs at a granular level.
“There is clarity on certain aspects such as passports and Ehic cards, but still so much to be finalised – posted workers being a massive one for us and we are making our voices heard.”
An Abta spokesperson agreed with Carter’s assessment of the meeting, especially around overseas staff.
A spokesperson said in a statement: "While many of the important issues affecting travellers have been clarified, there are still significant unresolved issues for businesses, like posting staff abroad, which need to be urgently addressed.
"We are strongly making these points in all of our conversations with government and will continue to do so at every opportunity.”
Carter also revealed a delegation from Seasonal Businesses in Travel (Sbit) would meet to discuss post-Brexit plans with the French Cabinet of Foreign Affairs in Paris on February 20.
