ABTA delivers Budget wishlist
ABTA chief executive Mark Tanzer has written to the Chancellor calling on him to take action in four key areas in the March Budget on March 20.
He asked for action on air passenger duty, support for strategic infrastructure support, steps to address the squeeze on consumer spending and removal of red tape.
His wishlist includes halting further increases in air passenger duty, support for airport expansion, and a commitment to include Heathrow as a stop on the new high speed rail link from London to Birmingham from the outset.
Tanzer also asked for the sale of travel insurance by travel agents to be exempt from regulation, as they are in other parts of the EU, to remove a "burdensome and expensive regime", which he said had resulted in more people travelling uninsured.
Tanzer also encouraged George Osborne to "look favourably" at plans to encourage additional spending by families, including spend on the annual family holiday.
"We understand that the Government has to make some economic tough decisions, but it is also important to focus on policies that deliver growth," he said.
"Our four point action plan sets this out very clearly. Through reviewing its policies on Air Passenger Duty and strategic infrastructure, addressing squeezed family incomes and cutting red tape, the Government can create the conditions for the travel industry to thrive, creating jobs and building the economy in the process."
Luke Pollard, ABTA’s head of public affairs, said: "Ministers must look again at the policies that are preventing tourist businesses growing and taking on more people. Addressing Air Passenger Duty is one such policy obstacle and we’re pleased to see so many MPs backing our campaign – A Fair Tax on Flying – privately and publicly. We’ll keep the pressure on."
Linsey McNeill
Editor Linsey McNeill has been writing about travel for more than three decades. Bylines include The Times, Telegraph, Observer, Guardian and Which? plus the South China Morning Post. She also shares insider tips on thetraveljournalist.co.uk
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