Welcome to the latest instalment of ‘The View’. Here, we ask Reed & Mackay experts to share their ideas and insights around a topical issue affecting the business travel and event sectors and highlight solutions. As the UK general election takes place tomorrow, some of Reed & Mackay’s senior leadership comments on insights – from the business travel and events industry – into what the next government could do to better support the sector.
AMPLIFYING THE VOICE OF THE INDUSTRY
Earlier this year, Business Travel News Europe reported that the Business Travel Association (BTA) joined the Tourism Alliance ‘to amplify the voice of the corporate travel sector in the UK’.
It said: The BTA will join more than 70 travel organisations who are already members of the Tourism Alliance, which aims to foster “strong links” between the sector and the UK government and Parliament.
Clive Wratten, CEO of the BTA, said: “We’re honoured to be joining forces with the Tourism Alliance as part of our mission to amplify our voice and redefine industry standards. Uniting with the Tourism Alliance is more than a collaboration; it is a dynamic platform to broadcast our message louder and further.”
REED & MACKAY GROUP CEO FRED STRATFORD SAYS:
“When we look at how government can help support business travel and events, coming together as a travel industry is crucial. Business travel’s voice, which also impacts on meetings and events, needs to be heard on many issues. For example, working in alignment on wider ESG goals. Or being made aware of changes affecting airlines much sooner so this can be communicated to clients. One example of this is the recent hike in Air Passenger Duty on business class fares.
“In addition, clients are increasingly including DEI on their agendas. Yet I believe discussions on how to be more inclusive across travel are still, generally, informal. I’d like to see those conversations and support for inclusivity move along faster and become standard.
“What would be positive step would be for the travel industry, in its entirety, to call for a taskforce to lobby governments. This would help deliver a more inclusive, connected approach. A collective voice makes us stronger and will better serve anyone who travels for business or attends meetings and events across the globe.”
WORKING TOGETHER WITH OTHER EVENTS GROUPS
Exhibition News reported Wratten saying: “Both the Business Travel Association and I understand the importance of cross-industry collaboration and the intrinsic role face-to-face contact plays here, not only to ensure the steady growth of the business travel industry, but to strengthen the prosperity of the wider UK economy. I’m looking forward to ensuring our UK Government understands the power of in-person events and their significant contribution to business, bringing workers from all over the globe together.”
REED & MACKAY CEO UK, EUROPE & GLOBAL EVENTS JULIE OLIVER SAYS:
“There are several ways the next government can help support business travel and events, following the upcoming election. First, I advocate for the creation of a government taskforce dedicated to the events industry. This should focus on devising strategic plans to foster growth, encourage innovation and bolster the industry’s resilience against future challenges.
“A second suggestion would be the implementation of financial incentives to promote investment in sustainable event practices. Grants and tax breaks for businesses that implement green technologies and methods will mitigate the environmental footprint of events. This will also establish our industry as a sustainability frontrunner. This supports the wider objective of reaching net-zero emissions and shows a dedication to ethical business operations.
“Finally, we’d like to see government improve access to training and professional development for event practitioners. Investing in the upskilling and reskilling of our workforce will keep it competitive and flexible, vital in an ever-evolving environment. This will also draw new talent to the sector, spurring innovation and upholding our standard of excellence.
“Reed & Mackay Events is also supporting The Power of Events. Its mission is to showcase, respect and value the world-leading UK events industry.”
POSITIONING THE UK AS A SUSTAINABLE TRAVEL LEADER
In April this year, ABTA – the trade association for UK travel agents, tour operators and the wider travel industry – launched its ‘Manifesto for Travel and Tourism’ . This set out the industry’s policy priorities for the next government ahead of a general election.
One of its three policy priorities was positioning the UK as a sustainable travel leader. “The next Parliament will make some critical decisions around sustainability – where it is crucial the UK has the right policy and taxation framework to compete with Europe and the US, while keeping travel affordable for everyone,” ABTA Director of Public Affairs Luke Petherbridge explains.
This came at the same time as the current government confirmed new targets to ensure 10% of all jet fuel in flights taking off from the UK comes from sustainable sources by 2030 through its sustainable aviation fuel mandate.
REED & MACKAY GLOBAL SUSTAINABILITY DIRECTOR CHRIS TRUSS SAYS:
“With Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF), it’s all very well setting targets for the industry, but there are questions. Who is going to produce it? What incentives will be put in place to produce it? And where is the investment coming from?
“If we look at what the US has done, for example, there’s huge incentivisation of the SAF market place. This will create a domestic industry to meet the demands of the aviation sector. If similar schemes aren’t in place in the UK and Europe, we may not produce enough domestically to meet demand. That will leave a requirement to import. And it will miss a good opportunity to turn the UK into a leading player in a growing industry.
“We have a great opportunity for the UK to be a sustainable travel leader. But we have to have government support to lead on this initiative. Imagine a situation in which the UK is a leading player in this hugely important sector. High-quality jobs, energy security and regeneration – the time is now to get things moving!
“Some countries, like France, have banned internal flights of less than two hours. This is to encourage travellers to take the more sustainable option of the train. I’m not necessarily against this kind of policy. But it does need to be properly thought through if we were to apply a similar scheme in the UK. The current pricing model doesn’t stack up. Making such a change would add a huge cost burden to many people forced to switch. If we’re serious about encouraging a switch from air to rail on some domestic journeys, we need to overcome the pricing structure. It’s currently cost prohibitive on many levels.”
