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
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