Abta briefs new tourism minister on travel’s education and mobility needs

In the wake of the pandemic, Tanzer stressed that Abta would continue to take a solutions-oriented approach to its political outreach and lobbying. “We know how important it is to present government with solutions,” he said.

One topical area of discussion with Whittingdale was the recent wildfires in southern Europe, particularly Rhodes – an opportunity seized on by Abta to extol the benefits of booking good quality package travel and set out the industry’s stall with regards to imminent reforms of the Package Travel Regulations.

Conversation also turned to several of Abta’s priority policy issues, including posted workers and proposed changes to post-16 education for young people keen to pursue careers in travel and tourism.

“On both points, it is important DCMS, as our home government department, is up to date on our views and that they are able to represent these in their cross-government discussions,” said Tanzer. “Through our ongoing engagement with officials within the department, Abta will ensure this remains the case.

“It was good to be able to talk through our proposals around the extension of the youth mobility scheme, and also to share more on how we’re bringing industry together to work on the future of travel and tourism courses within further education.”