With the U.K. (and continental Europe) gripped in Brexit uncertainty, the travel industry is having to put contingency plans in place to ensure business as usual for the millions of domestic and foreign travelers.
The overriding message from the ‘Brexit – Dead Ahead’ panel during Phocuswright Europe in Amsterdam last week, is that everyone loses.
It is reinforced by Mark Tanzer, chief executive of the Association of British Travel Agents, who says: “It’s not a zero sum game.”
Jobs were a particular focus in the discussion with hoteliers already highlighting staff shortages in the build up to the U.K’s departure.
World Travel & Tourism Council president and chief executive, Gloria Guevara Manzo, says that with one in ten jobs in travel and tourism, the industry has a responsibility to ensure continued growth.
The companies and organizations represented on stage, which included Holiday Taxis and UKHospitality, also discusses how best to advise members and the public in such turbulent times.
Earlier in the day, we sat down in the Phocuswire studio with ABTA CEO Mark Tanzer to discuss current trading conditions for U.K. travel companies with the market about 10% down year-on-year.
He is upbeat about the prospects for the peak summer season with the Brexit deadline now moved to October, 31, 2019.
Tanzer also talks of the industry’s work to ensure travel across Europe is as smooth as possible going forward.
