Priti Patel, the Member of Parliament for Witham, has visited travel management company Inntel Travel as part of Advantage Travel Partnership’s MP Engagement Programme.
The initiative, launched on National Travel Agents Day in July, has so far seen 39 MPs request a meeting with their local Advantage member.
During her visit to their headquarters, Patel met with Inntel CEO Douglas O’Neill to discuss how the business has adapted over recent years given the effect of the pandemic and restrictions on travel, and plans for the future as things now return to normal.
O’Neill said: “We thank Ms Patel for visiting our business and taking such a genuine interest in how we operate and the services we offer. Over the last few years the travel industry, and in particular the business travel sector, has had to deal with a never-ending set of challenges, from the pandemic when international travel was largely closed, to the continued rise in inflation, rising operating costs and prices.
“As our local MP, it was a great opportunity to talk to her about the issues we face, as well as update her on how the industry is currently trading and its growth prospects for the future.”
Julia Lo Bue-Said, Chief Executive, The Advantage Travel Partnership, said: “We are delighted that Ms Patel has taken the time to pay a visit to Inntel Travel, a long established and much valued member of the Advantage Travel Partnership.”
“The UK Outbound Travel Industry, including both leisure and business travel, delivers over £80bn overall GVA to the UK economy each year and its overall size and contribution is larger than UK agriculture and fisheries combined.
“As part of our MP engagement programme, we welcome MPs visiting our agency partners to better understand the value and contribution we make, so that the industry can be better understood and supported across Government.”
