‘One voice to government will get messages heard’

MPs have urged the travel industry to continue pressing issues to Government under one voice to get more success in lobbying efforts.

Jim Fitzpatrick, Labour MP for Poplar and Limehouse said the industry needs to talk to the government as one rather than fragmented to get better results, such as the steps made in Air Passenger Duty.

“You have failed to speak with one continuous voice,” he said at the ABTA Travel Matters conference. “Justine Greening froze APD after a successful campaign last year as it was targeted under one voice. It needs to be that way or you will all pit against each other [and not be heard].”

Alok Sharma, Conservative MP for Reading West acknowledged there were “things happening” but a joint approach would be more beneficial. He used the example of the airport capacity debate.

“I’m surprised with the capacity debate that there isn’t more collaboration between Heathrow and Gatwick as they serve different markets. Working together could help everyone and help create jobs,” he commented.

Fitzpatrick said the APD reform will be a ‘good test’ to the government as it has made MPs think about travel and tourism, but only after being ‘’pressed and pressed’ again.

Both added that getting customers behind campaigns would also add weight.

A change in APD banding was announced this year after heavy lobbying from the industry, particularly the A Fair Tax on Flying campaign that generated hundreds of thousands of signatures.

“Popular support will make MPs pay attention; MPs listen to constituents so not only should you work with industry but also get the end users to make the case for you,” Sharma said.

ABTA’s head of public affairs Stephen D’Alfonso said: “We’ve [the industry] has been pushing against a close door for a long time but it is open a crack now. It’s important to build relationships throughout the decision-making chain…and as an industry we have to find areas we can work together on [despite our differences].”