NEWS cal instability, regulatory challenges and potential rising costs of AI. Robin Murray reports from Madrid


Government instability ‘hits industry’s ability to plan’


I


Panellists, from left: Mehreen Khan, The Times; Julia Lo Bue-Said, Advantage;


Rafael Schvartzman, Iata; Tim Alderslade, Airlines UK; Oli Winton, FTI Consulting; and panel moderator Cathy Adams, The Times


Who was there?


367 total delegates 124 advantage members 177 Industry partners 53% Leisure agents 47% corporate agents


Between 20%-25% of the agents operate ‘hybrid’ models, serving both the leisure and corporate travel markets. Chief executive Julia Lo Bue-Said also noted a high volume of conference “first-timers”, which she described as a testament to the group’s reach.


ndustry leaders warned domestic political instability is paralysing the travel sector’s ability to make long-term decisions as firms struggle to navigate a “massive distraction” at the heart of


government, undermining the sector’s viability. A ‘Leadership View’ panel session coincided with


prime minister Keir Starmer facing challenges to his leadership, which FTI Consulting senior managing director Oli Winton described as shifting the industry’s focus toward “domestic instability”. “Businesses can’t plan anything on any policy in the UK


right now, not knowing who the prime minister might be next week or next month,” Winton told delegates. He argued that while the industry has shown “incredible


resilience” through past crises, it “shouldn’t have to rely on itself” in the absence of government support. Tim Alderslade, chief executive of Airlines UK,


emphasised that maintaining trust is paramount. “The latest Barclays [spending] study shows consumers


are very nervous; as an industry we’ve got to do everything we can to maintain confidence,” he said. Despite the media coverage around jet fuel,


Alderslade confirmed: “We’re seeing less than 1% [flight] cancellations right now.” He noted airlines have “good visibility over the next couple of months”.


Businesses can’t plan anything


on any policy in the UK right now, not knowing who the prime minister might be next week or next month


Rafael Schvartzman, regional vice-president of Iata,


agreed there is no fuel shortage in Europe within a “four- week horizon,” but warned the industry must continue to monitor “actual capacity”. The impact of the EU’s Entry/Exit System (EES)


was another major talking point at the conference, with delegates expressing anxiety regarding biometric checks. Advantage chief executive Julia Lo Bue-Said said the


rollout “should be paused until they [European countries] are absolutely confident they can roll out EES in a seamless manner”. Despite the headwinds, the sector’s resilience and the


fact people will always want to travel were common themes throughout the conference. In an interview with Travel Weekly, Lo Bue-Said urged


agents to “focus on their value proposition and their own supply chain” during the current “tough times” to enable them to emerge in a stronger position.


Tony Mann calls for greater awareness of mental health since rebrand


this digital funnel is a primary driver for business, the high street remains key to the company’s strategy, highlighting that many of its members are “opening stores quite frequently”. The consortium announced a marketing


summit for independent travel businesses to help them “build more confidence” in their marketing activity. The first summit will take place in London on October 20 and the second in Manchester on October 22.


Idle Travel owner Tony Mann issued an emotional plea for greater mental health awareness, urging industry peers to prioritise their “mind health” following the loss of his wife Andrea, who took her own life in February 2024. Describing Andrea as “fun-loving


and hardworking,” Mann warned that mental illness can affect anyone, telling delegates: “If this illness could take my wife’s life, it could take anyone’s.” Following a successful challenge to


his local Care Trust to improve mental health systems, Mann said his mission now was to give Andrea a voice and prevent other families from enduring similar suffering. The panel discussion was hosted by The Workplace


travelweekly.co.uk


Tony Mann


Collective director April Joy-Serrant, who noted that 80% of business owners say work impacts their mental health, yet only 25% seek help. Mann credited the travel community


and professional counselling for the bereavement support he received, saying that despite initial reservations about therapy, he found speaking with someone who had experienced similar loss to be “extremely helpful”. He offered practical advice to


agencies to help support their staff with


their mental wellbeing, such as placing QR codes in staff areas to provide private access to support. “Just opening up about how you’re doing is the most important thing,” he said.


21 MAY 2026 11


PICTURES: Rob Parfitt


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