ABTA is pleased to announce that the Aviation Minister, Robert Goodwill MP and the Shadow Secretary for Transport, Mary Creagh MP will deliver keynote speeches at ABTA’s annual Travel Matters conference in June.

Travel Matters gives delegates from across the industry updates on the latest news from Westminster, Brussels and the industry, as well as providing a forum for debating the key policy matters and current issues affecting travel. This year’s theme is ‘Targeting Growth, 2015 and Beyond’ - focusing on two major industry influences: economic growth and the opportunities that 2015 presents.

With the General Election just a year away, one of the afternoon sessions will delve into the electoral priorities and prospects of the main political parties, and the potential implications and interests for tourism.

Lewis Baston, an expert political analyst who predicted Labour’s 2005 majority to the seat, and was just four seats off in predicting the Conservative minority in 2010, will offer some views and predictions about the 2015 General Election. This will be followed by a discussion with three parliamentary candidates, all of whom have connections to travel.

The candidates are Nigel Huddleston, Conservative Parliamentary Candidate for Mid Worcestershire (Head of Travel at Google); Luke Pollard, Labour/Cooperative Parliamentary Candidate for Plymouth Sutton and Devonport (formerly Head of Public Affairs at ABTA), and Helen Flynn, Liberal Democrat Parliamentary Candidate for Harrogate and Knaresborough, a swing constituency where tourism impacts are keenly felt.

Mark Tanzer ABTA Chief Executive said: “Travel Matters gives ABTA, its Members and key decision makers in Westminster and Whitehall the opportunity to come together and debate the important policy issues affecting our industry. With next year’s general election approaching rapidly, we will hear and discuss the plans that our political representatives have for the travel industry as well as ensuring that the views and needs of all sectors of the travel mix are represented.”

Travel Matters is an invitation only event and will take place on 18 June at the Millbank Centre in Westminster. The full programme of speakers will be announced shortly.