TUI Travel PLC chief executive Peter Long has said it is "appalling" that many children in the UK cannot afford a holiday.
In his first official role as president of the Family Holiday Association, Long said in a speech yesterday: "There are two million children for whom even a day trip is unaffordable.
"Given that we are the world’s 7th largest economy; this is an appalling indictment on our society.
"As the new president of this charity I will make it my overriding priority to ensure those at the highest level of Government are completely clear as to what we are trying to do.
"Believe me, we will raise our voice and we will be heard by those who matter. And in doing this we will help more and more families around this country have the break that they deserve.
"Affording people a basic holiday is not a political issue it is a moral issue."
Long was speaking at the President’s Reception, held at the FHA’s Holidays Matter conference at the Royal Society in London.
