GTMC members debate hot topics with MPs at parliamentary dinner
GTMC chairmman Paul Allan has warned MPs that government policy has failed to match its rhetoric that ‘Britain is open for business’ following the EU referendum.
He also took a swipe at the Chancellor’s failure to reduce air passenger duty, which is the highest in Europe.
Speaking at a parliamentary dinner hosted by the business travel organisation, Allan added: "We should be doing everything in our power to create the conditions for economic success.
"In case anyone has forgotten, we are an island nation so it’s hard to see how levying the highest rate of tax on air travel in the world is compatible with this goal."
The dinner was attended by 11 MPs, including Luke Pollard, previously head of public affairs at ABTA, and former deputy speaker Nigel Evans, now a member of the International Trade Select Committee.
Around 40 representatives from the GMTC’s travel management company membership attended and all were giving facetime with the MPs at the dinner, where Allan addressed the room.
"We’re working hard to make sure that the needs and issues of importance to business travel are effectively voiced to government," he said. "Recently we’ve been speaking to decision makers on runway capacity, APD and open-access in the rail industry. It’s very important that business travel is viewed as an investment and not a cost."
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 
Higher departure tax and visa cost, e-arrival card: Japan unleashes the fiscal weapon against tourists
U.S.A. and Israel attacks on Iran impact air movements in the Gulf (Update 1.00pm CET)
Global tourism exceeds 1.5 billion travelers announces UN-Tourism
WTTC global tourism reached record economic impact of 11 trillion in 2025
Marginal increase for New York City tourism in 2025