Evans calls for ABTA/FTO merger
Lowcostgroup founder Paul Evans has urged ABTA to join forces with the Federation of Tour Operators to become an effective lobbying force.
During a debate on the future of the association, FTO director Andy Cooper, speaking from the floor, said he still needed to be convinced about a merger with ABTA.
But he added: “We do have the same message and put arguments together effectively.”
Evans said this was not enough. “I disagree. Effective lobbying is with one distinct voice.
“Some people have talked about how we should have another trade body just for lobbying. I think we need another trade body like a hole in the head.”
Cooper said the real problem was that the industry did not have enough resources and compared travel companies with airlines, which have invested in lobbying and managed to prevent levies being imposed.
“Virgin Atlantic has three staff and British Airways six staff who are just assigned to government lobbying. Everything we do is off the sides of desks. We need to put some resources behind it.”
By Jeremy Skidmore (www.jeremyskidmore.com)
Jeremy Skidmore
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