Mark Tanzer

Millions of people will be heading abroad over the Christmas and New Year period, 20 December to 2 January reveals ABTA – The Travel Association.

The Office for Budgetary Responsibility notes that APD is amongst the fastest growing of all taxes in the UK. The government must keep a close eye on the overall cost of travel to ensure that hard-earned holidays remain within reach

Biodiversity, which encapsulates all living things including plants, animals, organisms and the different habitats they live in, is intrinsically linked to travel and tourism. 

The Travel Association has announced that Calvià, Mallorca will be the destination for next year’s Travel Convention, which will take place from 6-8 October 2025. 

Following the General Election in the UK, Mark Tanzer, Chief Executive of ABTA – The Travel Association gave the following statement, he said: “We look forward to working with the new Government on the priorities for the travel industry and our members.

ABTA’s research shows that travel and tourism can grow faster than the rest of the economy over the next few years but only with the right policy framework.

ABTA is bringing together experts and officials from the EU to deliver a video webinar exclusively for ABTA members on the introduction of the EU Entry Exit System (EES) and European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS)

ABTA – The Travel Association estimates that millions of passengers will be heading abroad over the Christmas and New Year period, 22 December to 2 January.

ABTA – The Travel Association estimates that over two million British holidaymakers are set to head overseas for summer holidays the weekend (21-24 July), which for the majority of schools in England and Wales marks the start of the summer break, with 22 July expected to be the busiest day of the weekend.

ABTA and Seasonal Businesses in Travel (SBiT) are calling on the UK and EU governments to work together to address challenges travel companies are facing employing staff in EU holiday destinations.

Families are jetting off abroad this week and next for the first February half-term break since the UK travel restrictions lifted.

ABTA looks forward to continuing work with the new Ministers and within the new structure – continuing as the leading voice to Government representing their members and the wider industry.

ABTA has also published its ‘top 23 for 23’: the 23 most popular destinations people say they plan to visit this year.

ABTA has been working hard to support Members throughout the year – making the case to Government on why travel businesses need support and securing that through the extension of business rates relief for retail travel businesses and help with energy bills

ABTA LifeLine is once again running its ‘Spirit of Christmas’ appeal – offering 30 people a free Christmas dinner. It’s open to current and former staff of ABTA Members who are experiencing hardship.

A new joint-report from ABTA and UKinbound outlines the value of international travel to the UK economy in terms of supporting jobs, economic contributions and taxes paid to HM Treasury. 

Although we are still operating in extremely challenging times, people remain committed to travel, said Mark Tanzer, Chief Executive ABTA. ABTA  recently held its Travel Convention in Marrakech.

ABTA’s ‘Holiday Habits 2022 report’ states that UK’s love affair with overseas travel is back – with 45% of people travelling abroad in the 12 months to August 2022, equivalent to 70% of people who took a foreign holiday in 2019.

ABTA has said the government’s energy relief scheme will help to take the pressure off businesses dealing with rising energy bills but urged the Chancellor to provide further support through Friday’s mini-Budget.

ABTA has announced the return of its annual overseas travel convention, the UK travel industry’s flagship event