The UK Outbound Travel Group has secured over 80 MP visits across its membership network since it was established in October 2022.
Its MP engagement programme enables businesses to connect with their local MPs in a bid to create a network of political allies.
One of its members, Sunvil was recently visited by Liberal Democrat MP for Twickenham Munira Wilson (pictured above, second from right), who said: “Sunvil is a wonderful local business in Twickenham, but their contribution reaches far and wide.
“It was a pleasure to hear first-hand from Sunvil Chairman Noel Joesphides and Sunvil Managing Driector Chris Wright about how Sunvil and the sector as a whole contributes to the economy and discuss the challenges facing the industry.”
Responding to the milestone, ABTOT Membership Director Samantha Bradbury said: “We have been genuinely pleased by the exceptional take-up from ABTOT members in requesting substantive meetings with their MPs.
“These face-to-face discussions have enabled our businesses to articulate both the opportunities and challenges they encounter in the inbound and outbound travel markets.
“As significant local employers, essential service providers and heavily regulated SME businesses operating in complex international markets, our members have compelling stories to tell, and MPs are clearly eager to listen.”
AITO Head of Industry Affairs Christina Brazier added: “These strategic meetings are proving invaluable on multiple fronts – not only in raising critical awareness of the multifaceted challenges faced by specialist travel businesses, but also in cultivating lasting professional relationships that strengthen our industry’s voice and influence in Westminster.”
Attraction Tickets CEO Oliver Brendon said the engagement says the entrepreneurial perspective from members can ‘articulate how regulatory changes affect business growth, international competitiveness, and the sector’s ability to adapt to evolving market conditions’.
The UK Outbound Group comprises Advantage, ABTOT, AITO, The Specialist Travel Association Ltd, InteleTravel, TMU Management and Attraction Tickets and represents more than 1,200 small and medium-sized travel businesses.
