Tourism Minister, Sir Chris Bryant MP, will be giving the keynote speech at ABTA’s Travel Matters conference in central London on Wednesday 11 June, to share his views on the future of tourism and the latest on his plans for the sector to be an integral part of the Government’s growth mission.
Now in its 15th year, Travel Matters is a must-attend event in the public affairs calendar which brings together politicians and industry leaders to discuss the biggest political and policy issues facing the travel sector.
Speakers at this year’s event will discuss the current policy and political landscape, including global geopolitics and economics and what these mean for the travel industry. And with the event taking place almost a year since the general election and while the UK and EU discuss their future relationship, speakers will also explore what businesses in travel and tourism need from the Government to succeed in these changing times.
Other speakers joining the Tourism Minister at the event include Dame Irene Hays, Owner of Hays Travel and member of the Government’s newly formed Visitor Economy Advisory Council. Dame Irene will be discussing the importance of the service economy and providing an industry perspective on travel beyond 2025.
Lord Kim Darroch KCMG, the former British Ambassador to the United States and former British Representative to the EU, will share his thoughts on the global political landscape and what the recent geopolitical upheaval means for travel.
The day’s agenda will also include a panel discussion reflecting on the industry’s current policy asks, including an examination of the travel sector’s hopes for UK-EU relations, with speakers including; Rob Griggs, the Director of Policy and Public Affairs at Airlines UK; Richard Toomer, the Executive Director of Tourism Alliance; Lauren Broughton, the Head of Public Affairs and PR at UKInbound; and ABTA’s Director of Public Affairs, Luke Petherbridge.
Luke Petherbridge, ABTA’s Director of Public Affairs, said: “I’m delighted that Sir Chris Bryant, Tourism Minister, will be delivering the keynote address at our Travel Matters event next month. With an updated tourism strategy in development, it’s a great time to hear from the Minister, as well as Dame Irene Hays, to get both government and industry perspectives on the challenges and opportunities that lay ahead for our industry.
“And, with major shifts in geopolitics, there are few people anywhere better placed than Lord Darroch to provide an expert view on what’s going on and what it all might mean for us in the UK travel industry.
“These three speakers are part of an excellent line-up of highly influential and widely respected figures, and I am very much looking forward to hearing the different perspectives everyone will bring to enrich our discussions at our 15th Travel Matters event.”
