Shaping our future
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dhewitt@abta.co.uk Thu, 10/10/2024 - 17:04
Those of us at the ABTA Travel Convention this week had a fantastic few days courtesy of the Greek National Tourist Office and Costa Navarino Resort.
It has been a chance to pause and reflect on the shape of the industry’s future, and spend that all important time getting together to network and build business relationships, and friendships.
I’ve been struck by the enormous positivity in travel right now, felt not only in the business sessions and workshops but also in discussions about the demand for travel. ABTA’s Holiday Habits report , released this week, finds that holidaymakers are taking more holidays per year than at any other point this decade. And 68% of people plan to take an overseas holiday next year, up 4% on last year.
The positivity also came in the context of discussions about the challenges the sector faces. As I said in my speech to the convention, we’re looking for the new Government to help accelerate the production of sustainable aviation fuel, and to resist any layering of taxes that will put holidays beyond the reach of our customers, and their voters. The topic of tax also came up on stage, in terms of the need to make sure destination ‘green taxes’ that are applied to tourists have a proper spending plan behind them, otherwise they serve only as extra costs for consumers and do nothing meaningful for the local community.
The Convention came at a time when travel was in the news, including Hurricane Milton – with members supporting affected customers, alongside the support of the ABTA’s destinations team through our operational bulletin service. Also in the news was the EU’s Entry/Exit System, with speculation in the media about next steps and when we may hear more about its implementation. Although there have been no updates at the time of writing ABTA continues to work hard to support members on this including liaising with the EU and UK Government and industry stakeholders, as well as providing advice and guidance to members and customers.
It’s a reminder that travel never stops. We’re a 24/7 industry, working hard to help people have the best experience.
Mark Tanzer, Chief Executive
Continue reading...
Full Page image
dhewitt@abta.co.uk Thu, 10/10/2024 - 17:04
Those of us at the ABTA Travel Convention this week had a fantastic few days courtesy of the Greek National Tourist Office and Costa Navarino Resort.
It has been a chance to pause and reflect on the shape of the industry’s future, and spend that all important time getting together to network and build business relationships, and friendships.
I’ve been struck by the enormous positivity in travel right now, felt not only in the business sessions and workshops but also in discussions about the demand for travel. ABTA’s Holiday Habits report , released this week, finds that holidaymakers are taking more holidays per year than at any other point this decade. And 68% of people plan to take an overseas holiday next year, up 4% on last year.
The positivity also came in the context of discussions about the challenges the sector faces. As I said in my speech to the convention, we’re looking for the new Government to help accelerate the production of sustainable aviation fuel, and to resist any layering of taxes that will put holidays beyond the reach of our customers, and their voters. The topic of tax also came up on stage, in terms of the need to make sure destination ‘green taxes’ that are applied to tourists have a proper spending plan behind them, otherwise they serve only as extra costs for consumers and do nothing meaningful for the local community.
The Convention came at a time when travel was in the news, including Hurricane Milton – with members supporting affected customers, alongside the support of the ABTA’s destinations team through our operational bulletin service. Also in the news was the EU’s Entry/Exit System, with speculation in the media about next steps and when we may hear more about its implementation. Although there have been no updates at the time of writing ABTA continues to work hard to support members on this including liaising with the EU and UK Government and industry stakeholders, as well as providing advice and guidance to members and customers.
It’s a reminder that travel never stops. We’re a 24/7 industry, working hard to help people have the best experience.
Mark Tanzer, Chief Executive
Continue reading...
