UK Outbound Travel Group welcomes five new members

The new appointments include Tricia Handley-Hughes, Managing Director, InteleTravel; Oliver Brendon, Founder and CEO of Attraction Tickets; Sami Doyle, Founder & CEO TMU Management; and Travel Specialist Consultancy Limited.  Joanna Kolatsis of Themis Advisory Limited has also joined the Group to provide legal counsel.

 

This brings the coalition’s total representation to eight prominent members, including the founding companies, The Advantage Travel Partnership, ABTOT and AITO - The Specialist Travel Company.

 

Julia Lo Bue Said, CEO of The Advantage Travel Partnership and spokesperson for the UK Outbound Travel Group emphasised the strategic importance of the new appointments.

 

She said: "We are delighted to welcome the new members who have joined our group. They share our ambition to ensure that the sector’s representation across the political landscape is both amplified and understood for the economic powerhouse it is today and its potential as a key economic driver for growth that government is looking for.

 

“The dark days of the pandemic starkly demonstrated the consequences of governmental oversight of our industry. Our strengthened coalition has made an unwavering commitment to ensure this never happens again, through amplifying the voice of the sector.

 

"The numbers speak for themselves - our sector is a cornerstone of the UK economy, supporting 354,000 jobs across the national travel ecosystem while delivering an £80bn overall GVA impact from international travel, with £49bn specifically from outbound travel.* Our industry stands uniquely positioned to drive substantial economic growth, and it warrants full recognition across the political landscape as a strategic pillar of the UK’s economic success."

 

Commenting on InteleTravel’s membership of the Group, Tricia Handley-Hughes, Managing Director, added, “It’s vitally important that government understand and appreciate the breadth of the travel industry, job creation and economic contribution to our UK economy. This is far more than just selling holidays, it encompasses education, wellbeing and financial stability. Collectively, I look forward to contributing on behalf of the homeworking sector.”

 

Oliver Brendon, CEO of Attraction Tickets Limited, added: “The UK outbound travel industry is under-represented given its size and importance to the overall economy.  Compared to sectors such as UK hospitality, we have a disproportionately low influence on policy, and I hope that this group can help to change the status quo.”

 

Sami Doyle, CEO & Co-founder TMU Management, continued: “TMU is thrilled to be supporting the UK Outbound Travel Group and its focus on advocating for the recognition of the sector’s importance to the UK. This sector remains largely misunderstood externally, at stark contrast with the size of its contribution to the UK economy. The UK government is missing an opportunity support the outbound travel industry and turbocharge what is already a brilliant UK growth story. We look forward to amplifying that message.”

 

The expanded group has already demonstrated its commitment to action, holding its inaugural strategy meeting earlier this month to outline its comprehensive advocacy agenda for the coming year.

 

United in purpose, the UK Outbound Travel Group members are focused on strengthening the sector’s influence among MPs, policymakers, government departments and ministers. Their collective expertise spans the breadth of the travel industry, from specialist operators to major travel networks, together with industry specialists ensuring a comprehensive representation of the sector’s interests.