Travel trade's top priorities for new Labour government revealed
James Chapple & 
Sarah DennisAhead of the general election, TTG ran a snap poll of the travel trade’s voting intentions and top objectives for the next government. James Chapple and Sarah Dennis report.
The travel trade has got the change it sought after Labour stormed to victory in Thursday’s general election (4 July), and the sector has already identified several key priorities for the new government.
More than a third (34%) of the 451 respondents to TTG’s snap general election survey – 40% of whom were travel agents – said it was their intention to vote for Labour, with just shy of 21% giving the Conservative Party their blessing.
The poll broadly reflected the general election outcome, with the Liberal Democrats proving travel’s third strongest preference (16%), closely followed by Reform UK (13%) and the Green Party (6%).
It also revealed travel’s key demands of a new Labour administration, led by addressing the cost of living crisis, which resonated with nearly two-thirds of respondents (64%), and growing the economy (45%).
Interestingly, the UK’s post-Brexit relationship with the EU was the next most pressing concern, with 44% of respondents calling on Labour to seek to repair the UK’s relationship with the EU.
In addition, more than a quarter of respondents (26%) said preparing the UK for new EU border rules – the Entry-Exit system coming into effect in the autumn and Etias next year – was a major priority.
Steve Witt, co-founder of Not Just Travel, said the "certainty and stability" that comes with a "clear election result" would boost consumer confidence and given travel a "post-election boost".
"We are looking forward to a period of long-term clarity which provides consumers with confidence to move ahead and feel comfortable in spending on their favourite purchases – holidays," Witt added.
Reaction from across the travel trade has come in since Labour declared victory during the early hours of Friday morning (5 July); Travel Network Group chief executive Gary Lewis has called for a dedicated minister for travel and tourism, measures to make the airport sector more resilient – an issue raised by TTG survey respondents – and actions to address the cost of living crisis and make travel more accessible to all.
Julia Lo Bue-Said, Advantage Travel Partnership chief executive, said the election result was an opportunity for the Advantage-led Outbound Travel lobby group to extol the economic benefits and impact of the outbound sector, another issue highlighted by many TTG survey respondents.
Abta chief executive Mark Tanzer, meanwhile, said urgent action as needed to help travel achieve its sustainability goals, agree youth mobility terms with the EU to help young people work abroad, and reform business rates, something echoed by the Scottish Passenger Agents’ Association – and with high street regeneration proving the sixth biggest priority for TTG survey respondents.
There were several high profile scalps after the Conservative Party lost 250 seats, including Jacob Rees-Mogg, Liz Truss, Penny Mordaunt and Covid era transport secretary Grant Shapps, as well as serving transport secretary Mark Harper.
Other pressing issues raised by survey respondents included greater recognition of the travel industry’s economic contribution (25%), high street regeneration (23%), removing the 100ml liquid rule and restoring a level playing field at UK airports (22%) and reforming Air Passenger Duty (21%), while improving the UK’s domestic transport infrastructure (20%) rounded out the trade’s top 10 demands.
Here are just some of the comments TTG received on its survey:
Brexit limiting opportunities
As a travel industry professional who started out in the industry aged 30 as an overseas holiday rep, I think the damage caused by Brexit to the ability for UK workers to work abroad – either at the young age of 18 when it gives life skills or at the age I was where it gave me the chance to rebuild in a different direction – doesn't, unfortunately, get a lot of recognition from politicians.
Travel's 'vital role' unrecognised
This election is a chance to readdress the vital role of travel within the UK economy but also to recognise the importance of our industry for everybody living in this country. To travel is to widen one's horizons, to learn about the world, to become more tolerant, to recognise opportunities and to grow. All of these would ultimately lead to individual economic growth too. We therefore need to take our rightful place as an industry that contributes to the country's wellbeing and prosperity and to make the new leaders listen and support us.
UK far from ready for new EU border rules
We clearly need clarity on the way forward for the Package Travel Regulations. The Atol system appears to be working well, and there is a danger of meddling for its own sake. However, the immediate issue is the start of EU Entry-Exit system in October with widespread suggestions that many airports, as well as St Pancras International station, are a long way from ready. If so, the half-term holidays at the end of October could be a nightmare – maybe we should be considering a weekend in Cleethorpes instead...
TTG's general election recap
Labour stormed to victory in Thursday's general election (4 July) securing a huge Commons majority of 174 seats and condemning the Conservative Party to its worst general election defeat in its parliamentary history. Here are some of the key updates in the wake of polling day.
- TTG poll reveals travel trade's priorities for new Labour government
- 'Time is of the essence', Abta tells Labour after general election win
- What does travel want – and need – from the next government?
- Former transport secretaries Mark Harper and Grant Shapps lose seats
- Keir Starmer names first transport and culture secretaries of new govt
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James Chapple
Sarah Dennis
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