Opinion

Kirsten Hughes: Why are we still tackling the same issues 15 years on?

’If we care for our customers, their money should never be put at risk at all’

Sophie Griffiths: Understanding what is and isn’t protected in travel is not exactly easy

Wildlife enthusiasts are not people you would usually suspect of flouting the law, but last year a bird fair rightly got some industry figures in a bit of a flap

Sophie Griffiths: Why the travel sector's not buying Boris Johnson's rhetoric

’It’s hard to be optimistic when there’s such little substance beneath the new PM’s bluster’

Mary McKenna: You thought the claims culture in the UK was bad...

Mary McKenna on how insurance increases in Ireland are impacting tour operators’ balance sheets

Pippa Jacks: Sell Sri Lanka as the great value destination it is

The impressive guest list at an event to reignite Sri Lanka’s tourism industry shows just how loved it is

Tony Mann: We should be told where we’re going wrong

I never know how to react when the summer solstice comes along. Should I be happy that I’ve managed to survive another six months in the travel industry, or gutted because we are working our way back towards the winter months?

Sophie Griffiths: Why you can't afford to ignore the purple pound

Did you know the purple pound is worth an annual £250 billion? Do you know what the purple pound actually is? For many in the industry the answer to both questions is probably no. But here’s why you should know.

Luke Petherbridge: We need a skills environment that works for all

Abta welcomes the Tourism Sector Deal, recently announced by the government as part of the UK’s Industrial Strategy. We are particularly pleased with the strong focus on skills development, with the industry agreeing to create 10,000 new tourism-related apprenticeships each year by 2025

Sophie Griffiths: How the hell can you know if there’s an issue if you don’t collect the data?

Jon Terry, PwC’s UK diversity and inclusion (D&I) consulting leader questioned delegates at the first TTG Diversity & Inclusion in Travel conference. Good point.

Pippa Jacks: Package holidays might be your bread and butter, but there’s something more satisfying in the middle

It’s no secret that profit is thinly spread in the mainstream package market at the moment.

Noel Josephides: Those who play by the rules are at a disadvantage

Noel Josephides looks back on the changes the travel industry has seen in his six years as Abta chairman

Sophie Griffiths: The message that the LGBT+ market is big business has emerged loud and proud

Fifty years ago on Friday, police raided a bar called the Stonewall Inn in downtown New York. It was the last straw for the gay, lesbian and transgender patrons inside, frustrated with continuous harassment.

Jo Rzymowksa: We’re better all-round when we work together

In a world that is having to work ever harder to find ways to unify and seek common ground, it seems celebrating love and promoting acceptance in any shape or form is more important than ever...

Sophie Griffiths: Opportunities of change' in these 'tough trading conditions

Of the many inspiring sessions at this year’s ITT Conference, it was the closing speech by the founder of a tour operator that seemed to leave the strongest impression on delegates

Sophie Griffiths: It's consumer confidence versus general uncertainty

Last week was not a good one for the travel sector

'New consumer protections must work for travellers and the industry alike'

“We see this as a big step forward.” That was the opinion of the legal advisor to the Association of Atol Companies on the much-awaited Airline Insolvency Review

Melissa Tilling: ‘Diversity is vital to the future of our industry’

As a transsexual woman, TTG’s focus on promoting the acceptance of diversity is close to my heart. But it must be embraced by all of us

‘Who would have thought we’d become politicians?’

So here we are at the beginning of another year of that white-knuckle ride we call owning a travel agency. It’s a case of sit back and scream if you want to go faster, or in my case, close your eyes and hope for the best

‘Tough times never last – but tough people do’

Nelson Mandela once said: “There is no passion to be found playing small – in settling for a life that is less than one you are capable of living.”

The 'issue keeping tour operators awake at night'

On Tuesday, the government issued a “travel and tourism industry communications toolkit” in the event of a no-deal Brexit

'Authentic adverts are key to winning over consumers'

Between the Sunday Times’ headline last month, “No-deal Brexit travel warning: don’t go on holiday after March 29”, and general blanket uncertainness, securing strong forward bookings over the next couple of months has never been more important

Taking the measure of 2018

Which word do you think best sums up 2018? According to the Oxford Dictionary, it’s “toxic”

'It’s a time for giving and showing clients we care'

It’s that time of year again when busy lives are made even busier by thoughts of planning for Christmas

'When it comes to Brexit, businesses in travel are quietly getting on with it'

Another week, another tempestuous chapter in the Brexit saga. And another month of uncertainty for businesses and consumers alike