The Interview
Mark Tanzer, Abta
Abta’s Travel Convention returns in October with the industry in a very different place to the last time it met. Ian Taylor reports
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bta chief executive Mark Tanzer has warned the autumn will be
“a white-knuckle ride” for many businesses despite the relaxation of restrictions on international travel from next week. The removal of the amber
country list and pre-departure tests for vaccinated travellers from October 4 and replacement of the day-two PCR test requirement by a cheaper rapid test later in the month have already spurred bookings. Tanzer noted: “The changes are
welcome.” But he insisted: “They come at the end of a lost summer and companies are struggling for cash. “It’s still very difficult. Businesses
are right on the edge. More than 50% of members surveyed [earlier in the year] said they would run out of cash within six months. The demands of creditors are becoming greater. We don’t want a clatter of failures.” He argued: “The Treasury has not been at all forthcoming. We presume
30 SEPTEMBER 2021
they don’t want to see companies fail. [But] travel is such a seasonal business, unaligned with the rest of the economy, and businesses have now missed two summers and a winter. “The chancellor is refusing the
one sector under intense pressure. People don’t want to give up, but are struggling to keep going, particularly SMEs. Not only is there no cash coming through the door but financial service providers are squeezing. Some merchant acquirers are saying they’ll withhold cash because they aren’t confident businesses will make it. The noose is very tight. It’s going to be a white-knuckle ride for a lot of our members.” Yet Tanzer defended the demands
Abta has made of members seeking to renew bonds with the association this September, pointing out: “Abta is a BEIS-approved [Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy] body. “We have to protect customers’
money [and] because of refund credit notes there are potentially 18
months of bookings on the books. New money coming in also has to be protected. This is not Abta protecting itself. These aren’t Abta’s rules. It is us helping members comply with the law, and we’re in close dialogue with members, helping them talk to financial providers.”
Rebuilding relations Tanzer hopes the Travel Convention in London on October 13 will help bring the industry back together for the challenges ahead. He argued: “There has never been
a time when, at every level, there have been such major questions. The convention is a chance to discuss these and get answers. It has a place in the calendar as an event that looks at what is happening in the world and
in our industry and at what you can take from that for your business. “It has also always been strong at
providing a networking opportunity. That has been difficult with virtual events, so I’m pleased the convention this year is a hybrid event. You can attend in person or online. We’ve had a lot of separation over the last 18 months and there is a real appetite to get back together, talk to people, have a drink and rebuild some of the relationships that have been in suspension for a long time.” Tanzer highlighted the range of
speakers, including brand consultant Graham Hales, and Tom Johnson, chief executive of consumer trends consultancy Trajectory, “who will ask ‘what has changed?’, not just due to Covid, [but what] consumer
Some merchant acquirers are saying they’ll withhold cash. The noose is very tight. It’s going to be a white-knuckle ride for many members
travelweekly.co.uk
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