ABTA wish list for new Prime Minister
As Rishi Sunak takes up the job as the UK’s third Prime Minister this year,, ABTA urged the Government to focus now on stability and providing more cost of living support.
Mark Tanzer, Chief Executive of ABTA – The Travel Association said:” What businesses and consumers now need is stability, clarity, and confidence that we are set on a path to economic recovery. We also need the Government to understand the delicate position the travel industry is in and the support needed.”
“We’ve had a decent summer of trading, but that is on the back of two years of no travel during the pandemic, and consumer budgets are now feeling the squeeze.”
“We have been making Mr Sunak aware of the challenges faced by our industry. We’ve also stressed the opportunity a thriving outbound travel sector offers the UK in terms of economic growth.”
ABTA’s latest forecasts show that the UK outbound travel industry could grow 15% by 2027, given the right conditions.
ABTA called on the Chancellor to put in place a series of measures to support the sector.
It wants existing retail-based business rates support beyond the end of the financial year April 2023.
It should provide business support to travel businesses that are not based in retail premises, such as tour operators, who have been unable to benefit from existing support.
ABTA also called for a freeze of Air Passenger Duty for the remainder of the current Parliamentary term.
Additionally, travel should be recognised as one of the industry sectors deemed vulnerable when short term fuel support measures expire, ABTA said.
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