GTMC to step up lobbying
The Guild of Travel Management Companies is to beef up its lobbying in order to better influence government decision-making on issues such as taxation.
Guild chairman Paul Allan said the GTMC was determined to step up its parliamentary lobbying efforts in order to get the voice of business travel heard more effectively as policies are being formulated.
In the wake of the hike Air Passenger Duty, which Allan described as a tax on UK business, the GTMC is to consider options for enhancing its lobbying.
This could include emplying a lobbying firm or making use of retired but influential guild members to speak on behalf of the business travel sector. This would be in addition to making more use of the GTMC’s MP and other politicians.
“We’re missing a trick here and need to wind it up,” said Allan, speaking during the GMTC annual overseas conference in Doha. “We need to be in there talking to the civil servants.”
Other issues on this year’s agenda included carbon offsetting and whether the guild should establish a set of standards for members.
Meanwhile, Istanbul has been selected as the venue for next year’s guild conference.
A date for the event in late April or early May has yet to be confirmed.
by Phil Davies
Phil Davies
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 
Global tourism exceeds 1.5 billion travelers announces UN-Tourism
Qatar Airways offers reduced timetable to over 60 destinations
WTTC global tourism reached record economic impact of 11 trillion in 2025
Hands In, UATP join forces for airline multi-card payments
Suspension of all regional trains in Catalonia following two new rail accidents in Spain