Government should ensure travellers keep benefits such as visa-free travel and free or reduced healthcare, says industry body

The British travel industry is urging the government to protect the many benefits currently enjoyed by UK holidaymakers under EU membership, including visa-free travel and free or reduced healthcare, in Brexit negotiations.

The Association of British Travel Agents (Abta) wants ministers to maintain Britons’ ability to travel freely within Europe and beyond and protect existing consumer rights including compensation for delayed and cancelled flights. It is lobbying the government to secure the UK’s continued participation in the European Health Insurance Card scheme, which guarantees UK travellers reciprocal access to healthcare across Europe.

In a new report, Making a Success of Brexit for Travel and Tourism, Abta sets out priorities for the negotiations that have implications for UK holidaymakers and the travel industry.

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Abta has about 1,200 members – including airlines, tour operators and travel agents – with a combined UK turnover of £32bn. The EU is the UK’s biggest market for overseas holidays – in 2015 British holidaymakers and business travellers splashed out £19bn on business and holiday visits to its countries.

Safeguarding transport links, including air routes, is vital, the report says. In contrast with other industries there are no World Trade Organization rules for aviation to fall back on if no EU deal is reached.

With some holidays on sale up to 18 months in advance, Abta is also calling on the government to ensure that effective transitional agreements with the EU are in place if needed.

“As the UK begins to extricate itself from the European Union, we want to work with the government to help them make Brexit a success,” said the Abta chief executive, Mark Tanzer. “We believe that the benefits that UK holidaymakers currently enjoy, such as visa-free travel and the EHIC card should be prioritised and protected. The government must also make sure transition agreements are in place if needed. Travel and tourism is one of the UK’s largest industries and it is vital that the government makes sure it can continue to thrive during and after the negotiations.”

However, it also believes Brexit opens up possibilities for new partnerships and the opportunity to revamp dated laws and regulations. It argues for the reduction of Air Passenger Duty, for example – which it considers a tax on “global Britain” – to ensure the UK has world-class connectivity.

With mobile phone roaming fees in Europe due to be abolished from June, it also wants the UK government to replicate the EU-level agreement to ensure that British and EU customers will continue to benefit.