5 2


Brexit would be damaging, warn industry bosses


Ian Taylor ian.taylor@travelweekly.co.uk


Industry leaders spoke out against a British exit (Brexit) from the European Union as concerns at the prospect sent the pound to a seven-year low against the dollar on Monday.


Monarch Group chief executive


Andrew Swaffield told Travel Weekly: “It will be extremely damaging to UK aviation and the UK travel industry. Aspects of life in the EU are taken for granted. Once we lose them we’ll realise what value they held.” Tui Group chief executive Fritz


Joussen said: “I hope the UK leaders can convince the population.” Six government ministers, including culture secretary John Whittingdale, who is responsible for tourism, lead the campaign for an exit. Joussen told Travel Weekly: “As


a German, I’m not in a position to give advice. As a European, I think it’s odd. If the pound devalues,


The PM is leading the ‘In’ campaign


customers will pay more when they go on vacation. But this is at the edge of my thinking. It’s more important for me as a European, [and] as a company that is listed and headquartered in the UK.” The bosses of Heathrow, Gatwick and Manchester airports joined Ryanair’s Michael O’Leary and easyJet’s Carolyn McCall in calling for the UK to stay in the EU, as Sir Richard Branson warned leaving would be “very damaging”. Lawyer Alastair Long of Hill Dickinson warned: “Brexit will create considerable legal uncertainty for the industry. “Access to the single aviation


market would cease, jeopardising the freedom that enabled low-cost carriers to proliferate. “Brexit also calls into question


the UK’s rights under agreements with third countries, for example the EU-US Open Skies Agreement.” A referendum on Britain’s membership of the EU will be held


on June 23. › Face to Face, page 14 › Talk Back, page 18


3


Industry turnover increased by 12% last year


STORIES HOT


Trade turnover hits £32bn high


Lee Hayhurst lee.hayhurst@travelweekly.co.uk


Combined travel agency and tour operator turnover in the UK increased for a sixth successive year in 2015 to almost £32 billion.


The 12% year-on-year rise,


revealed in analysis of Office for National Statistics data by Travel Weekly sister title Travolution, was the second-highest annual increase since 2008. ONS data also showed the number of agencies surpassed 4,000 in 2015, while employee numbers are set to recover to near pre-recession levels this year. The figures were seen as a cause


for optimism in the trade. Stephen D’Alfonso, Abta head


of public affairs, said: “These figures are great news for agents and operators, and illustrate the important role they play in growing employment and the economy. “They follow last week’s ONS


stats that revealed a 10% rise in overseas visits from the UK in the last three months of 2015, following similar rises during


the rest of last year. All these factors are a clear indication that consumer confidence is strong.” The Travolution Innovation


Report 2016 found there was a 12% increase in technology spending by the UK travel sector in 2015, spearheaded by agents and operators. John Sullivan, head of commercial at Advantage Travel Partnership, said: “This data reinforces the importance of technology as a driving force for change in our sector. “And this is backed up by


the fact that the number of agents is forecast to increase to pre-recession levels. “While businesses are investing


in technology, they should also recognise the importance of the people within their business.” Gemma Antrobus, Aito Agents chairman and owner of Haslemere Travel, added: “What fabulous data. It reflects my business. Since buying Haslemere Travel [in December 2015], one of the key things I am doing is working on our technology and how we can


work smarter as a business.” › Travel Weekly Business, page 80


25 February 2016 travelweekly.co.uk 5


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