Two years ago, I called on the UK outbound travel sector to continue its lobbying efforts, with a focus on increasing the sector's voice and raising the profile of small and medium-sized businesses, particularly agents and travel companies. Enhanced.
Advantage has since worked with Aito to establish the UK Outbound Travel lobby group to raise this profile. Over the past few months, Abtot has joined and he now represents over 570 small businesses across the UK outbound travel industry.
Key to our success has been the appointment of a Westminster-based public relations consultancy, which has enabled us to make considerable progress towards our aim of opening as many political doors as possible. I did.
“There are no quick fixes.”
Although we still have a long way to go, we are now collectively able to make a strong statement to legislators and policymakers, build engagement, and ultimately influence them. .
Meanwhile, Parliamentary Engagement Programs, which arrange for MPs to visit local travel companies, are going from strength to strength.
We have already hosted nearly 50 MPs over the past nine months, the majority of whom were not in a position to assist as they were not familiar with local travel companies. Our program seeks to change that.
Travel's Day of Action in Westminster brought the industry together during the pandemic
With elections around the corner, it is important to maintain this momentum and continue lobbying for industry interests. Active and persistent advocacy will ensure that the travel industry receives the recognition and support it deserves as an important economic contributor.
But we can't do it alone. My vision is to create a single unified voice on outbound travel, much like the hospitality industry is achieving this through intensive engagement with government departments and key stakeholders at all levels. is.
We must educate across the political spectrum and ensure that the UK outbound travel sector receives the recognition it deserves in terms of its social, cultural and economic importance, and as a business sector in its own right. yeah.
But we need more partnerships and financial support to accelerate our progress. Rome wasn't built in a day.
Success is long term and there are no quick fixes. The more we invest and unite around a single goal, the more we can accomplish. If you would like to find out more please email julia@ukoutboundtravel.com.
Julia Lo Bue-Said is CEO of Advantage Travel Partnership and was writing for TTG on the eve of the Advantage conference in Cancun, May 15-18.
