The Association of British Travel Agents (ABTA) has unveiled the line-up of expert speakers for its annual Travel Matters conference at the National Gallery on Wednesday 22 June, which brings together leaders from across the travel industry to debate the biggest political and policy issues facing the travel sector.
Delivering this year’s keynote speech and sharing crucial insight and anecdotes into the inner workings of Westminster is former Minister Amber Rudd, who served as Home Secretary and Secretary of State for Work and Pensions and Minister for Women and Equalities 2016–2019.
Also offering a window onto Westminster is Nikki da Costa, an influential commentator on politics, legislation and parliament who served as Director of Legislative Affairs at No 10 Downing Street under both Theresa May and Boris Johnson. Da Costa will be advising travel businesses on how to prepare for the run-up to the next general election, while also offering her perspective on how the travel industry can forge a strong working relationship with the UK Government and opposition moving forward.
Additional speakers, whose insights will be driven by this year’s theme, ‘An Agenda for Recovery and Renewal’, include:
Martin Alcock, Director, Travel Trade Consultancy
Tim Alderslade, Chief Executive, Airlines UK
Karen Dee, Chief Executive, Airport Operators Association (AOA)
Susan Deer, Director of Industry Relations, ABTA
Giles Hawke, CEO, Cosmos
Andy Janes, Group Director of Operations, Intertek
Simon McNamara, UK & Ireland Country Manager, International Air Transport Association (IATA)
Luke Petherbridge, Director of Public Affairs, ABTA
Alistair Rowland, Chairman, ABTA
Prue Stone, Group Head of Sustainability, Hotelplan
Mark Tanzer, Chief Executive, ABTA
Brian Young, Managing Director, EMEA, G Adventures
Moderator: LBC's Tom Swarbrick
This year’s Travel Matters conference comes exactly one year on from the Travel Day of Action on Wednesday 23 June 2021, so offers the industry a timely opportunity to reflect on what lessons can be learnt from the pandemic, as well as exploring how travel business leaders can effectively manage the shifting landscape and what the industry needs from its future relationship with the UK Government to ensure its long-term success.
www.abta.com
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