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UKinbound’s Deirdre Wells: ‘It’s important to make a public statement – to say we’re a big, strong industry and being members of the EU is hugely beneficial’


UKinbound champions the merits of staying in the EU


UKINBOUND HAS COMEOUT STRONGLY IN FAVOUROF BRITAIN REMAINING IN EUROPE. WILL OTHERS FOLLOW? IAN TAYLOR REPORTS


Inbound travel association UKinbound came out decisively in favour of Britain staying in Europe last week after a poll found 82% of its 350 members regard the EU as “important to their business”.


The results led UKinbound to


become the first travel industry association to speak out on the issue as an EU summit this week is due to finalise revised terms for British membership that could go


64 travelweekly.co.uk 18 February 2016


to a referendum this summer. Chief executive Deirdre Wells


told Travel Weekly: “It’s important to make a public statement, to pin our colours to the mast, to say we’re a big, strong industry and being members of the EU is hugely beneficial. I’m glad we’re the first to come out. We may be the only ones in travel [to do so].” Asked if she is prepared to


speak out on behalf of the sector, Wells said: “Definitely. We’ll take a


role in speaking for the industry. It goes to the heart of what we’re trying to do – presenting the UK as a welcoming, open destination.” But she expressed concern


about the debate a referendum would trigger, saying: “I don’t think the arguments will be nuanced.” Abta is consulting members on


their attitude to Britain staying in or leaving the EU, but many associations appear reluctant to speak out given internal divisions on the question. Bernard Donoghue, chairman


of industry lobbying group the Tourism Alliance, of which Abta is


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