Government moves to cut red tape
ABTA has welcomed a report that it says backs its call for the ditching of unnecessary red tape for UK travel businesses.
The Association said the Tourism Regulation Taskforce’s report "Smart Regulation and Economic Growth", released yesterday, endorsed all the proposals to reduce unnecessary bureaucracy put forward by ABTA’s Red Tape Taskforce set up last year.
ABTA proposed a number of key areas for action, including the removal of travel insurance sales from FSA regulation and the adoption of a sensible approach to the implementation of money laundering laws impacting on its members selling foreign currency.
Today’s report, which has been put forward to tourism minister John Penrose, has endorsed these recommendations, it said.
ABTA chief Mark Tanzer said: "We strongly support the tourism minister’s drive to cut red tape in tourism. We call on him now to accept these sensible recommendations and ensure that the Government takes concrete steps to stamp out these unnecessary and bureaucratic rules.
"All of our Red Tape Taskforce proposals will make a very real difference to our members businesses but in particular, the removal of travel insurance sales from FSA regulation, would improve customer choice and ensure that more consumers travel insured."
Christine Farnish, ABTA’s Red Tape Taskforce chair, said: "In commissioning this report the tourism minister has indicated he is committed to helping the travel and tourism sector develop and grow.
"Accepting these recommendations to scrap restrictive and unnecessary red tape will bring some very real benefits to UK businesses and provide the clearest possible indication that he is listening to our concerns and is willing and prepared to take positive action to address them."
Is your business tangled in red tape? What would you like the Government to cut? Have your say by clicking the comment button below.
By Linsey McNeill
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
Vegas’s Billion-Dollar Secrets – What They Don’t Want Tourists to Know
Visit Florida’s New CEO Bryan Griffin Shares His Vision for State Tourism with Graham
Chicago’s Tourism Renaissance: Graham Interviews Kristin Reynolds of Choose Chicago
Graham Talks with Cassandra McCauley of MMGY NextFactor About the Latest Industry Research
Destination International’s Andreas Weissenborn: Research, Advocacy, and Destination Impact
Graham and Don Welsh Discuss the Success of Destinations International’s Annual Conference
Graham and CEO Andre Kiwitz on Ventura Travel’s UK Move and Recruitment for the Role
Brett Laiken and Graham Discuss Florida’s Tourism Momentum and Global Appeal
Graham and Elliot Ferguson on Positioning DC as a Cultural and Inclusive Global Destination
Graham Talks to Fraser Last About His England-to-Ireland Trek for Mental Health Awareness
Kathy Nelson Tells Graham About the Honour of Hosting the World Cup and Kansas City’s Future
Graham McKenzie on Sir Richie Richardson’s Dual Passion for Golf and His Homeland, Antigua
ADS PRO 
TAP Air Portugal to operate 29 flights due to strike on December 11
Qatar Airways offers flexible payment options for European travellers
Airlines suspend Madagascar services following unrest and army revolt
Air Mauritius reduces frequencies to Europe and Asia for the holiday season
Major rail disruptions around and in Berlin until early 2026