June 25, 2021by Sophie Griffiths
A leading travel accountant is urging the travel industry to contact their local MP following a successful meeting with their culture secretary, Oliver Dowden.
Jonathan Wall said Oliver Dowden admitted he didn’t fully appreciate how the financial side of the travel industry works.
Jonathan Wall, chief executive of Elman Wall, met Dowden, MP for Hertsmere, on June 25, two days after the day of action on travel.
“I contacted him a few weeks ago and then got invited to a constituency meeting,” Wall said. GTT.
“[Advantage chief executive] Julia Lo Bue-Said had told me “who better than a travel accountant to tell the government how money is made in the travel industry” so I thought this was a really good opportunity to tell my MP how it works and why this sector needs urgent support.
Wall said he explained why many companies still had no revenue, despite adding countries to the green list and some customers booking breaks for 2022/23. And he used an analogy with the restaurant chain Nandos to demonstrate his point. “I pointed out that it’s not like going to Nandos, which may be closed one day, but then may open the next day and start taking money immediately from day one.
“Even though countries have been placed on the green list, I explained that there would be no money today. He said he didn’t fully appreciate how it worked.
Wall said Dowden asked him when was “the tipping point” for the industry, and Wall replied, “It’s already passed! We reached the point of no return some time ago – unless the government agrees to some sort of furlough extension.”
Wall said Dowden was keen to emphasize that the June 23 Travel Day of Action had “made a difference.” Dowden also said that the more people traveling who contacted and spoke with their MPs, the more the message would be carried through the corridors of Westminster.
“He said a lot of people talking to their MPs will make a difference. If everyone has the same conversation with their MP, it will have an impact. And he said the Day of Action on Travel will make a difference because a lot of people were talking about it in Westminster.
“I said there are many businesses that are running on empty — and that’s why this support is needed,” Wall added. “He needed to better understand why the trips weren’t recovering quickly. He was much more informed by the end of the call. I urge everyone to contact their local MP to continue spreading the word.
