The Mid Worcestershire MP visited Droitwich-based Grapevine Travel last Saturday (22 January) to discuss the issues facing high street travel retailers and the wider travel industry.
Grapevine managing director Rod Gethins told TTG that during the visit, Huddleston highlighted how he had "specifically requested" the agency’s local authority – Wychavon District Council – to "look favourably" on the ARG money made available to travel companies.
"He thought the figure would be £2,000 to £3,000, which is small, but would help," said Gethins, who explained he had contacted Huddleston "a few times" during the pandemic to ask him to urge the government to support the retail travel.
Gethins said the sector had been "left out to dry", adding he felt the voices of the ministers representing travel and tourism – Huddleston and transport secretary Grant Shapps – "had been lost in the upper echelons of government".
Gethins said the UK government had "absolutely not" done enough to support the travel industry during the pandemic. "[Its] priorities were elsewhere," he said. "The thought being that agents can close while other companies remained open. Yet priority was given to business that could still trade.
"Like most politicians I have met, [Huddleston] was a very warm and likeable fellow – and to his credit, he has always answered my queries. He and his PA Helen were very attentive."
Gethins said he felt the issues he raised with Huddleston around profits agents have lost through taking credit card payments and the huge liability arising from chargebacks had been noted.
Gethins said Huddleston "spoke very positively" about inbound and outbound tourism, adding he claimed the government would recommend "a large marketing budget" to encourage people to book via fully bonded companies.
Following the visit, Huddleston tweeted: "Good to meet Rod Gethins of Grapevine Travel in Droitwich and discuss the challenges faced by the tourism sector during the pandemic and the key role professional travel agents and bonded tour operators will play in providing booking confidence to consumers during the recovery."
Huddleston’s visit and comments came more than a year after a fractious interview with TTG editor Sophie Griffiths, during which he suggested Eat Out to Help Out had help support travel agencies financially.
Huddleston’s full ministerial title is parliamentary under secretary of state (minister for sport, tourism, heritage and civil society), while his ministerial portfolio also includes responsibility for the Commonwealth Games and "youth".
The lack of a dedicated minister for outbound travel has been highlighted throughout the pandemic, and has long been a request of the government from travel.
