The Advantage Travel Partnership and Aito launched their joint MP engagement programme last week off the back of National Travel Agents’ Day (22 July), continuing the work of the UK Outbound Travel Think Tank on which the two organisations have been collaborating since last October.

More than 330 invitations have been sent to MPs across the UK representing members of the two organisations, with several meetings already having taken place off the back of the push.

According to Advantage and Aito, members have received requests for future visits from 30 MPs, with these meetings set to take place during August and September.

Dame Rosie Winterton DBE, MP for Doncaster Central, was among those to answer the call, swinging by Dawson & Sanderson in the city. "I know many of my constituents really value being able to go to a high street travel agent to talk about their holiday options and get good advice on what to book," said Winterton.

"Travel agencies are an asset to our city and play a big part in getting people into the city centre and the knock-on effect that has on other shops."

Elsewhere, Andrew Stevenson, MP for Pendle, visited Althams Travel in Clitheroe, while Chi Onwurah, MP for Newcastle upon Tyne Central, visited Dawson & Sanderson in Newcastle.

Julia Lo Bue-Said, Advantage chief executive, said that the effort had already generated a "notable increase" in engagement with government and policymakers. "We are working hard to increase the overall visibility and awareness of the UK outbound travel sector across Westminster, and these visits to members by their local MPs form a critical part of this work," she said.

"Many of the MPs we have spoken to were not aware of their local travel businesses, nor have they had the opportunity to meet them in the past. We are really pleased with the level of engagement we have secured through the launch of this programme so far, and will be ensuring that we maximise the number of MP visits to our travel businesses over the coming months."

Lo Bue-Said said it was vital to remind MPs that agents were among the "central pillars" of their local business communities. "We are building a strong caucus of supporters in parliament," she continued.

"This should strengthen considerably our case for the industry to receive better ministerial representation, while also reminding those in power what a massive economic contribution the travel sector delivers to UK plc and to the overall economy."

Lo Bue-Said added the activity would continue, and that the lobby partners were in talks with "a number of key travel brands and associations". "[We] are keen for others to join our think tank so we can make further – and faster – progress."

Aito director Noel Josephides said the joint effort with Advantage "was delivering really well". "The travel sector has not only saved the UK from recession, according to the Office for National Statistics, but we are also responsible for creating a massive surge in consumer retail spend prior to going on holiday," he said.

"Jointly, the outbound travel sector drives consumer pre-holiday spend to the value of £51 billion in terms of hairdressing, beauty treatments, new clothes, exercise classes, essentials from the chemist such as suntan cream and much, much more."

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Josephides said being able to back up travel’s economic contribution was "hugely powerful" in the industry’s fight for better representation. "It is our joint responsibility to ensure every MP across the land – many of whom are, of course, ministers of state – knows just how important the whole travel industry is – not just airlines - and that they recognise how little assistance they have provided us with in the past.

"The time has come for them to rate the travel industry as hugely important in terms of economic delivery to the country. We need to shout it from the rooftops – and the briefing documents provided by Aito and The Advantage Travel Partnership enable every one of us to do this with confidence."