60 | TRAVEL TRADE NEWS
ABTA Budget Submission Sets Out Policy Priorities For Travel and Tourism
www.nitravelnews.com
Travel Nevada Appoints First CEO
ABTA has written to the Chancellor of the Exchequer, Jeremy Hunt MP, outlining the policy priorities for travel and tourism as the Treasury puts together its forthcoming Budget. Although not held until the first week of
March, formal submissions to the Treasury about the Budget had to be recieved by 24 January 2024. ABTA’s submission emphasises the importance of outbound travel and tourism to the UK economy, and the popularity of overseas holidays with the public. Among its requests, ABTA states in its letter that: A review is needed of how the UK’s regulatory, taxation, and business support frameworks can be aligned, so as to help the industry’s transition to net zero and ensure the UK is best placed to maximise associated job creation and economic opportunities. Policy must be co-ordinated to support
the establishment of a domestic Sustainable Aviation Fuels (SAF) industry, with measures such as a price certainty mechanism being expedited to support the government’s
commitment to construct five SAF plants by 2025.
Business rates support for retail businesses continues to be important, while many are still paying off Covid-era debts and facing higher operational costs. The association also calls for rates reform to support high street business. New Youth Mobility Scheme arrangements
should be reached with EU countries, to help meet challenges for the sector arising from post-Brexit restrictions on labour mobility. Luke Petherbridge, ABTA’s Director of Public Affairs, said: “It is always important to press home the policies which will help our sector to thrive, ahead of any Budget. But with a General Election certain in the next 12 months, it’s important to strongly represent travel and tourism both now and throughout the year. “Our Budget submission is one of the many
ways in which ABTA will be speaking with politicians across the political spectrum, to help realise our sector’s potential for growth and contribution to the UK economy.”
TRAVEL NEVADA the agency tasked with the promotion and marketing of Nevada as a tourism destination, announces the hire of Rafael Villanueva as its first Chief Executive Officer. In this role, Villanueva will direct and supervise all administrative and technical activities of the Division of Tourism (Travel Nevada). This includes implementing the strategic plan for tourism and analysing the effectiveness of programs and associated expenditures. Villanueva will additionally oversee marketing, communications, industry development, and Nevada Magazine + Visitor Guide. “Rafael is a well-known and respected tourism industry leader,” said Brenda Scolari, Director, Nevada Department of Tourism & Cultural Affairs. “His global tourism experience and love for Nevada will guide the Division of Tourism to new heights with a fresh perspective on market development, consumer trade, and the overall visitor experience.”
February 2024
Celebrity Cruises Announces Restructure for EMEA Business
CELEBRITY Cruises has announced a new structure for its EMEA business under the leadership of Giles Hawke, VP & Managing Director Celebrity Cruises EMEA. As part of the new structure, Claire Stirrup has taken on an extended remit as Senior Sales Director EMEA, overseeing all sales for UK & Ireland and EMEA. In addition, Jody Wallace has been promoted to Commercial Marketing Director EMEA and joins Hawke’s EMEA leadership team to grow the region’s footprint. The new EMEA sales structure, under
the leadership of sales veteran Claire Stirrup, will enable Celebrity to drive best practice, improve efficiencies and accelerate growth in key EMEA markets working in partnership with key trade & international representation partners across its global territories.
‘Change Makers’ Reward Campaign Returns for 2024 for G Adventures
G ADVENTURES has announced its popular agent reward programme, Change Makers, is returning this year, with 15 agents from UK and Ireland earning a space at the community tourism pioneer’s third Change Makers GX Summit, which will be taking place later this year. Agents will be able to earn their way
to the Change Makers GX Summit, which will be held in a yet-to-be-revealed destination. The 15 agents will be a part of a contingent of 75 winners from around
the globe who will be brought together to celebrate the impact of community tourism. The Change Makers challenge is now
live (from 1 February 2024) and runs until 31 May 2024*. The campaign encourages agents to focus on changing people’s lives through travel by booking G Adventures trips. Agents who successfully earn a place at the Change Makers GX Summit will see firsthand how their work directly impacts local communitie iin the destinations G Adventures visits.
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