Tourism minister Sir Chris Bryant has been confirmed to give the keynote speech at Abta’s Travel Matters conference next month.
He is due to share his views on the future of tourism and the latest on his plans for the sector to be an integral part of the government’s growth mission.
Travel Matters, now in its 15th year, is being held in London on June 11.
Other speakers include Hays Travel owner Dame Irene Hays, a member of the government’s newly formed Visitor Economy Advisory Council.
She will be discussing the importance of the service economy and providing an industry perspective on travel beyond 2025.
Former British ambassador to the US and representative to the EU Lord Kim Darroch will thoughts on the global political landscape and what the recent geopolitical upheaval means for travel.
The agenda will also include a panel discussion reflecting on the industry’s current policy needs, including an examination of the travel sector’s hopes for UK-EU relations.
Speakers include Airlines UK policy and public affairs director Rob Griggs, Tourism Alliance executive director Richard Toomer, UKInbound head of public affairs and PR Lauren Broughton and Abta public affairs director Luke Petherbridge.
Petherbridge said: “I’m delighted that Sir Chris Bryant, tourism minister, will be delivering the keynote address at our Travel Matters event next month.
“With an updated tourism strategy in development, it’s a great time to hear from the minister, as well as Dame Irene Hays, to get both government and industry perspectives on the challenges and opportunities that lay ahead for our industry.
“And, with major shifts in geopolitics, there are few people anywhere better placed than Lord Darroch to provide an expert view on what’s going on and what it all might mean for us in the UK travel industry.
“These three speakers are part of an excellent line-up of highly influential and widely respected figures, and I am very much looking forward to hearing the different perspectives everyone will bring to enrich our discussions at our 15th Travel Matters event.”
