Luke Petherbridge

The 2025 Tourism Policy Conference is bringing together the UK’s leading voices in tourism policy, business, and destination management. From SME support to tax-free shopping, visas, employment, and the economy, this year’s Tourism Policy Conference looks at the future of the UK’s visitor economy. Speakers include Minister for Tourism, @Steph_Peacock @DCMS , and @ChrisWebbMP, Chair of APPG Hospitality and Tourism. Join policymakers, business leaders, and destination professionals for a day of insight, collaboration, and discussion on how to strengthen UK tourism for the future. Book now. 📅 19 November 2025 📍 Royal Aeronautical Society, London 🔗shorturl.at/VN3HB

We have been campaigning for a UK-EU Youth Mobility Scheme for 5 yrs with superb partners @ABTAMembers @LMPetherbridge & @BestForBritain @pimlicat. So I was proud to be at #LabourConference2025 to hear the chancellor speak positively about the govt’s intention to implement this.

Great to see @MayorofLondon supporting @ABTAtravel & @SBIT_UK calls today for a youth mobility deal with the EU. Important for industry growth and restoring opportunities for young people to start a career in #travel

An EU youth mobility scheme would give our young people greater opportunities, boost our economy and raise living standards. New research shows the public overwhelmingly back it ⬇️ travelweekly.co.uk/news/abta-stud…

ABTA and Seasonal Businesses in Travel (SBiT) have revealed new research showing strong public support for securing a youth experience deal with the EU, and we urge the govt to press ahead with negotiations with the EU following May’s UK-EU Summit. Read > ow.ly/bsBY50WME7e

If accurate, this is incredibly welcome - and much needed. ⁦@ABTAtravel⁩ strongly supports better relations with the EU, including extension of YMS, which can restore opportunities for young people to #getintotravel and develop rewarding careers thetimes.com/uk/politics/ar…

You can read more on why a YMS deal matters for travel here: abta.com/industry-zone/…

Pleased to see @SadiqKhan continuing his calls for a YMS deal, which @ABTAtravel strongly supports. Jobs down 69% since Brexit - a deal is crucial for career pathways into travel and business growth…independent.co.uk/voices/trump-t…

Very good news - it’s important that school travel is promoted for its educational and cultural benefits and we need governments to work together to remove barriers 👏 #schooltravel

Great day 2 of the @ABTAMembers visit to @Port_of_Dover to see the extensive prep for EES whenever it comes in. Huge thanks to Emma Ward for the tour—great to see the scale of work already done to be as ready as possible. ABTA’s efforts continue to prepare members for launch.

Very much looking forward to chairing this @tourismsvoice session - huge expertise on the panel across every part of travel, tourism and hospitality, addressing a topic that is essential to the future success of our sectors #tourismskills

🚨Tourism Policy Conference Panel Announcement🚨 The Future of Tourism Employment and Skills. This will be an extremely important part of the tourism policy agenda going forward and we've gathered some real industry experts to provide their insights.

@LuxuryTravelled There is an APPG for our sector too. Was also there in the last parliament. Relaunches in September

The travel industry complains there’s no minister for Outbound Travel. There’s not even a APPG for tourism/international travel - but there is for F1/Motorsport and Sleep Apnea…So should we be surprised?

This afternoon, the new Legal Migration Minister, @SeemaMalhotra1, spoke positively about supporting the growth and contribution of the travel and tourism sectors to the UK economy. Hearing her talk about the importance of industry/government collaboration was also encouraging.

@LuxuryTravelled Well said, Ashley - and we’ve got tools to help with it too - abta.com/travelandtouri…

No matter the noise, it’s important for the UK outbound travel industry to maintain the pressure on electoral candidates to understand the significant contribution we bring to the economy. #GeneralElection ✈️

ABTA and Seasonal Businesses in Travel (SBiT) welcome today’s announcement from the European Commission that they are recommending to the Council that negotiations be opened with the United Kingdom on a youth mobility agreement. Read more here: abta.com/news/abta-and-…

Good to start #NationalCoachWeek on a visit in Cinderford with new @ABTAMembers partners @RHANews, @grindlescoaches and Transport Secretary @Mark_J_Harper - a really insightful meeting, thank you to all. No rest, back to London & off to Brussels for meetings tomorrow #UKtravel

Our Director of Public Affairs, @LMPetherbridge, was glad to join @RHANews, as part of the new partnership with @ABTAMembers, alongside Transport Sec @Mark_J_Harper for the start of #NationalCoachWeek

A good morning representing @ABTAMembers at the @tourismsvoice Insights Conference - positive news on outbound sentiment and intention to travel, especially the move to booking with travel experts, which supports our own findings over recent years

Outbound travel worth £49bn in GVA, and 800,000+ jobs - rising to £150bn & 3m jobs with inbound and domestic tourism. We also spoke about the symbiotic links between all parts of the sector, and the need for a joined up strategy. Very useful engagement and we’ll keep talking 3/3

Travel is a people industry - and it’s vital we maintain a pipeline of talent, across all ages and backgrounds. Hugely important to stress how mobility of workers, and a clear education pathway into the sector, is integral to success of U.K. travel 2/3

Thank you @Abtamembers @insidejapan and their local MP, and Shadow Secretary of State for tourism, @ThangamMP, for meeting to discuss the travel industry’s strategic priorities - including the value and ease of travel, education and skills, & youth/labour mobility. #UKtravel 1/3