Future Travel Coalition to discuss energy costs impact

The rising cost of living and the energy crisis will be discussed by travel bosses next week when the Future Travel Coalition meets.

The coalition, which includes Abta, Advantage Travel Partnership, Aito, the Business Travel Association, The Travel Network Group and the Scottish Passenger Agents’ Association among others, will cover the issues at the meeting at Abta’s office.

It will decide on what specific issues to proritise when lobbying the government and the new prime minister and what action it can take to ease pressures on members and the wider industry.

Abta chief executive Mark Tanzer confirmed the meeting in his latest blog, writing: “Abta coordinates the Future Travel Coalition of travel trade bodies and consortia.

“Cost of living challenges are an active part of our discussions as a group, and we will be acting together to present to government the scale of the challenge facing the sector.

“The coalition meets on a monthly basis and next week we’ll be welcoming the group to Abta’s office to look at the action the group can take together on cost of living, and continuing with other lobbying priorities.”

The winner of the Tory leadership contest is set to be announced on Monday and Tanzer highlighted how the cost-of-living crisis was “top of the in-tray” for the new prime minister.

“Businesses large and small, up and down the country, will be grappling with higher energy bills,” he added.

Tanzer said Abta had lobbied both Conservative leadership candidates on energy costs, and had suggested an extension of both business rates support and the repayment of business loans taken out at the height of the Covid-19 pandemic.

“We also support calls from across the business sector for a cap on business energy rates, especially for SME businesses given the extent of the challenge they face,” he wrote.

More: Abta chief plays down need for new outbound lobby group

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