Travel urges new government not to overlook vital sector

Boris Johnson’s Conservatives cruised to a decisive general election victory on Thursday (12 December), with the Tory party gaining almost 50 seats and a majority of at least 76 – the largest since 1987.

Labour, by comparison, shed nearly 60 seats, including some of its safest constituencies, while the pro-remain Liberal Democrats lost one seat, that of leader Jo Swinson.

Abta has said it will work with the new government to further build confidence in the travel sector, and has called on ministers to ensure the structures required to allow the travel sector to prosper are protected.

Aito chairman Derek Moore told TTG the result left him with “some trepidation, garnished with a touch of positivity”. “Much depends on how Boris reacts to his tremendous gain in power,” said Moore.

“Whether or not he remembers the referendum saw about half the country vote to remain, and softens his tone on Europe; and whether or not he will listen to the concerns and issues expressed by our industry, or just go his own way with his own agenda.

“Such absolute power does not always bode well when a party feels it can concentrate on what seem to them to be the big issues.

“There is a danger that if he attempts to enact even half the legislation he has talked about – help for the NHS, putting more police on the streets, money for this, money for that – then our [outbound travel’s] concerns might get overlooked.”