The association on Thursday (10 September) set out a five-point policy wishlist, with Chancellor John Healey poised to deliver his and the Burnham government's first Budget on 28 October.

Abta's key asks include a fairer approach to tax, including reforming Air Passenger Duty (APD) and reassessing the cumulative impact of the current tax and regulatory burden on travel.

Another aim is securing targeted support for high street travel businesses and securing a more equitable settlement for travel, one that recognises the economic contribution businesses – particularly agencies – make in their local communities.

It also wants the government to follow through on its commitment to negotiating a reciprocal Youth Experience scheme with the EU, which would allow young people to work on the continent after so-called "posted working" was ended by Brexit.

Finally, Abta is seeking recognition of the "vital role" travel plays in driving economic growth and sustaining jobs across the country, with outbound travel alone currently supporting more than 800,000 while making a £52 billion annual economic contribution.

'Incredible opportunity'

Luke Petherbridge, Abta's Director of Public Affairs, said: "Travel and tourism is a vitally important industry supporting hundreds of thousands of jobs and contributing billions of pounds to the UK Economy each year.

"The new Prime Minister and his cabinet have an incredible opportunity in their first Budget to support the industry by avoiding further travel tax increases and help hard pressed families by removing children entirely from the tax regime.

"Young people could also benefit immensely if the Government were to follow through on its commitment to a Youth Mobility scheme. This would once more give the opportunity for those starting out on their careers to work on the continent which would also help to address a skills and staffing shortage in the travel industry."

Abta's full policy wishlist includes:

A fair approach to tax

• Freeze Air Passenger Duty (APD) rates for the remainder of this Parliament
• Reform the treatment of Premium Economy passengers within APD
• Remove children entirely from APD regardless of travel class
• Assess the cumulative impact of taxation, sustainability costs and regulatory burdens on the competitiveness of UK travel and tourism
• Ensure any visitor levies introduced in England are transparently administered and ringfenced for reinvestment into the visitor economy

Support for decarbonisation

• Continue supporting the development of a domestic Sustainable Aviation Fuel industry
• Ensure the UK's approach to aviation decarbonisation remains internationally competitive
• Maintain support for maritime decarbonisation

Working with European partners to reduce practical barriers to travel

• Prioritise solutions that support school and educational travel
• Deliver the UK-EU Youth Experience Scheme as quickly as possible

Support for high street travel businesses

• Deliver a business rates system that supports high street businesses
• Extend the principle of targeted rates support currently available to parts of the hospitality sector to other tourism-related businesses where appropriate

Support for a more flexible skills and training system