ABTA focuses on infrastructure and APD in new manifesto
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ABTA has reiterated calls for a reform in Air Passenger Duty and investment into airport capacity and surface access in a new manifesto launched to MPs.
‘A manifesto for jobs and growth in tourism’ was launched at a Parliamentary Reception tonight among 60 MPs and peers ahead of the General Election, in which the association outlines its calls on behalf of the industry.
These include increased airport capacity; investment in infrastructure such as road access; a reform and reduction in APD; a cohesive approach to tourism policymaking and the finalising of consumer protection reform.
“We are delighted to launch our manifesto in the House of Commons, highlighting our key priorities ahead of the next General Election. As an industry, we can point to some real progress in convincing this government to move on reforms to both APD and consumer protection and also in influencing and moving forward the airport capacity debate. But we as an industry, and the government, must do more,” said ABTA’s chief executive Mark Tanzer. “To compete in this fast-paced global marketplace, it is crucial that the momentum that the industry has been steadily building behind necessary reforms and policies picks up steam beyond 2015, and that is why we are launching this manifesto.”
The manifesto has been supported by analysis from Cebr and Deloitte that shows the travel industry supports around 10% of jobs and has created a third of new employment since 2010. The sector provides significant opportunities for young people including apprenticeships; flexibility with part-time roles; is 51.4% made up of women and caters to all skill levels.
“The ABTA manifesto, and the new research that supports it, is designed to remind policymakers just how innovative, exciting and important the travel and tourism industry is to the UK economy,” said Stephen D’Alfonso, head of public affairs at ABTA. “We will now focus on making our case to MPs and parliamentary candidates of all political colours to give them the evidence they need to deliver our industry’s priorities should they be elected in 2015.”
View the full document at www.abta.com/manifesto
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