ABTA responds to the King’s Speech
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gwilkinson@abt… Wed, 07/17/2024 - 16:28
ABTA has responded to the King’s Speech, the first under the new Government
Mark Tanzer, Chief Executive of ABTA – The Travel Association said:
“Today’s King’s Speech has given the first real insight into the priorities of this new Government, and there are some welcome announcements for our industry.
“We are very pleased to see the inclusion of the Sustainable Aviation Fuels Bill. As we set out in our Manifesto for Travel and Tourism, building a domestic industry in sustainable aviation fuels (SAF) is essential if the aviation industry is to meet its net zero targets. Industry and investors have been clear a price mechanism will be vital in stimulating investment in the development of a UK SAF industry, so it is very welcome to see this is a priority within the first parliament.
“Elsewhere, the Skills England Bill will establish a new body with responsibility for skills development and also make changes to the apprenticeship levy, which the industry has long been calling for. ABTA will be engaging with this process, both directly and through the Tourism Industry Skills Working Group to make the views of members heard.
“There are a number of other Bills announced today that we will monitor to assess their implications for the travel industry, including the Terrorism Bill and the Arbitration Bill.
“It’s also important for the industry to remember that the King’s Speech just sets out the new legislative agenda. There are many other matters for the industry to liaise with Government on which are either existing legalisation or are not a legislative issues, such as PTR and ATOL reforms, and the implementation of the EU Entry/Exit Scheme. ABTA is already working with Government on these matters – making sure that the views of our members are represented and understood.”
As part of ABTA’s engagement with the new Government, ABTA has written to the new ministers to highlight the huge contribution the UK travel industry makes to the UK economy, in terms of generating revenue and the number of jobs the industry supports.
Letters from Chief Executive Mark Tanzer have been sent to Cabinet Ministers including the Chancellor, Business Secretary, and Secretary of State for Transport. ABTA is also engaging with minsters who have direct responsibility for travel’s specific policy areas including the Aviation and Maritime Minister, Mike Kane.
For further information, contact:
press@abta.co.uk or 0203 117 0596
Out of Hours: contact the duty press officer 020 3693 0183
Web: www.abta.com
X / Twitter: @ABTAmembers
Notes to editors
ABTA is a trade association for UK travel agents, tour operators and the wider travel industry. We’re the largest travel trade body, with over 4,600 travel brands in membership who have a combined pre-pandemic annual UK turnover of £40 billion. We work closely with our members to help raise and maintain standards and build a more sustainable travel industry, and provide travellers with advice, guidance and support.
Our members sign up to a code of conduct and commit to agreed service standards and fair trading. When you need clear travel information, and accurate and impartial advice relating to your trip, we’re here for you. When you book with an ABTA member, reliable advice comes as standard. This means that booking with our members brings peace of mind.
All this together means we help you travel with confidence. www.abta.com
Continue reading...
Full Page image
gwilkinson@abt… Wed, 07/17/2024 - 16:28
ABTA has responded to the King’s Speech, the first under the new Government
Mark Tanzer, Chief Executive of ABTA – The Travel Association said:
“Today’s King’s Speech has given the first real insight into the priorities of this new Government, and there are some welcome announcements for our industry.
“We are very pleased to see the inclusion of the Sustainable Aviation Fuels Bill. As we set out in our Manifesto for Travel and Tourism, building a domestic industry in sustainable aviation fuels (SAF) is essential if the aviation industry is to meet its net zero targets. Industry and investors have been clear a price mechanism will be vital in stimulating investment in the development of a UK SAF industry, so it is very welcome to see this is a priority within the first parliament.
“Elsewhere, the Skills England Bill will establish a new body with responsibility for skills development and also make changes to the apprenticeship levy, which the industry has long been calling for. ABTA will be engaging with this process, both directly and through the Tourism Industry Skills Working Group to make the views of members heard.
“There are a number of other Bills announced today that we will monitor to assess their implications for the travel industry, including the Terrorism Bill and the Arbitration Bill.
“It’s also important for the industry to remember that the King’s Speech just sets out the new legislative agenda. There are many other matters for the industry to liaise with Government on which are either existing legalisation or are not a legislative issues, such as PTR and ATOL reforms, and the implementation of the EU Entry/Exit Scheme. ABTA is already working with Government on these matters – making sure that the views of our members are represented and understood.”
As part of ABTA’s engagement with the new Government, ABTA has written to the new ministers to highlight the huge contribution the UK travel industry makes to the UK economy, in terms of generating revenue and the number of jobs the industry supports.
Letters from Chief Executive Mark Tanzer have been sent to Cabinet Ministers including the Chancellor, Business Secretary, and Secretary of State for Transport. ABTA is also engaging with minsters who have direct responsibility for travel’s specific policy areas including the Aviation and Maritime Minister, Mike Kane.
For further information, contact:
press@abta.co.uk or 0203 117 0596
Out of Hours: contact the duty press officer 020 3693 0183
Web: www.abta.com
X / Twitter: @ABTAmembers
Notes to editors
ABTA is a trade association for UK travel agents, tour operators and the wider travel industry. We’re the largest travel trade body, with over 4,600 travel brands in membership who have a combined pre-pandemic annual UK turnover of £40 billion. We work closely with our members to help raise and maintain standards and build a more sustainable travel industry, and provide travellers with advice, guidance and support.
Our members sign up to a code of conduct and commit to agreed service standards and fair trading. When you need clear travel information, and accurate and impartial advice relating to your trip, we’re here for you. When you book with an ABTA member, reliable advice comes as standard. This means that booking with our members brings peace of mind.
All this together means we help you travel with confidence. www.abta.com
Continue reading...
