Aviation minister and shadow transport secretary to speak at Travel Matters

Aviation minister Baroness Vere of Norbiton and Labour’s shadow minister for transport Mike Kane MP have been announced as speakers at Abta’s Travel Matters.

The pair will share their vision for the travel industry and its future relationship with Westminster at the conference, due to take place at One Great George Street in Westminster on June 14.

Also confirmed to speak is Izabella Kaminska, senior finance editor at Politico, who will give her take on global geopolitical issues, including how mobility is affected by the current state of world politics, and what sanctions and growing protectionism might mean for travel businesses seeking to navigate a path through the coming years.

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LBC broadcaster Tom Swarbrick will return as moderator and Abta’s Mark Tanzer will open the conference with a speech to delegates.

Abta’s Travel Matters brings together politicians, government officials and industry leaders to debate the political and policy issues facing the sector. This year it will explore the theme of ‘Travel 2030′.

Topics up for discussion include what the travel industry needs from government to help it navigate regulatory changes, the industry’s journey towards net zero and the UK’s ever-evolving relationship with the EU.

Luke Petherbridge, director of public affairs at Abta, who will also speak at the event, said: “This year’s Travel Matters is set to be one of the best events yet.

“With an election potentially only a year away, and with the industry facing a very busy year ahead for regulatory changes, as well as economic and political uncertainty, it’s the perfect time to get together to hear from our political leaders and to discuss what we need to be successful over the longer-term.”