GBTA urges government to act, not talk

The Guild of Business Travel Agents chairman Charles Sommer (left) has urged the government to improve the country’s transport infrastructure rather than just talk about it.

In a hard-hitting speech to travel industry leaders at the Guild’s annual general meeting, Sommer said transport infrastructure had been at or near the top of the political agenda.

But he added: “Discussion is one thing, it is action of course that we require. Politicians are notoriously good at debate, but we need to see plans implemented and infrastructure created.

“We will continue to press the government until this objective is achieved.”

Sommer said he expected 2003 to be a “torrid and challenging” year.

He added the Guild would continue to campaign on behalf of its members and, in particular, would be stepping up its fight for financial protection for scheduled airline passengers.

“2002 was a poor year for airlines. Estimated losses for IATA airlines exceeded $20 billion and some substantial airlines both in Europe and the USA have either collapsed or are in administration,” he said.

“The need for financial protection for the business traveller is now stronger than ever. How much longer can IATA and the airlines hold out?

“The leisure traveller on package holidays is protected through ABTA schemes.

“There is no such protection for travellers on scheduled airlines. If the airline has collapsed, the ticket is worthless and there is no financial compensation.”

But Sommer said there was the possibility of some good news in 2003.

“Could the continuing financial weakness of some US airlines influence the US government to relax its protectionist attitude to airline ownership?” he asked.

“Could 2003 see the start of a global open skies policy?”

Sommer said scheduled airlines would re-emerge as a force in 2003 after the troubles of last year.

“If 2002 was the year for the low fares carrier, then in 2003 we will see the fight-back from scheduled airlines.

“The end result is only good news for the buyer or business traveller – that is, a competitive situation where prices are keen and fares simplified.”

The 36 travel management company members of the GBTA between them account for more than 80 per cent of all agency-booked business travel in the UK. GBTA members sell some 45 per cent of all scheduled air tickets in the UK. Turnover of the combined memberships amounts to around £7 billion a year.

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