Page 6 - ELG2309 Sep Issue 486

NEWS .

Invest in youth, student and

educational travel now, says BETA

EL Gazette were privileged to attend BETA’s parliamentary reception on
Tuesday, where speakers appealed to the government to ensure the UK

is the top choice for students. Lauren Billings reports…
A
warm, sunny afternoon
on the Thames was
the backdrop for the
British
(BETA)
Travel Association’s Educational
parliamentary reception. The
reception – falling on BETA’s 20th
anniversary – was a key platform
to discuss the Youth Group Travel
Scheme, and the expansion of the
Youth Mobility Scheme.
Over 120 delegates – including
BETA members, MPs and Lords –
gathered at the House of Lords to
show their support. An amicable
and sociable atmosphere gave
way to passionate speeches from
Baroness Doocey OBE, Steve
Lowy, and Jeff Smith MP. Each told
a story of the UK tourism industry,
and the twin blows of COVID and
Brexit on the economy.
There is always more to
be done.
Kicking off the keynote speeches,
Parliamentary Sponsor, Baroness
Doocey, stressed the importance
of the event at a time when UK ‘Youth travel is worth £28.6 study from the EU to 150 countries Today, over three years since
Political Parties are preparing for a billion a year to the UK economy worldwide. However, the funding Brexit and the first COVID
general election: […] the creation of a new form offered by Turing does not cover lockdown, the ELT industry is
‘What I think we can all agree of Youth Group Travel Scheme tuition fees, previously waived still recovering. In 2019, youth,
on is that it is absolutely critical to would enable UK travel operators under Erasmus+, which can be a student, and educational travel
make the UK a welcoming place and businesses to get back our major hurdle for students. made up over a third of visits to
for tourists, and to ensure that share of the EU student travel More recently, in March of this the UK, worth £28.6 billion. EU
other countries make our tourists group market.’ year, the government committed students under 18 accounted for
to their country welcome. Travel to the UK-France Joint Leaders’ 1.2 million of those visitors. Last
enriches lives. It educates through The story so far… Declaration, with intent to ‘ease year, this number had declined by
experiences, and fosters mutual After the infamous referendum in the travel of school groups to 83%. This dramatic fall is, in part,
understanding.’ 2016, the UK officially left the EU the UK by making changes to due to new passport requirements,
BETA Chairman, Steve on 31 January 2020. That same documentary requirements for meaning all students need a full
Lowy, followed with thanks to year, the world was hit by the schoolchildren on organised trips passport to enter the UK, when
all the international partners in disastrous wave of COVID. Both from France.’ This comes at a most of them don’t carry one.
attendance, who drive valuable have been crippling to the UK’s time when delays at the border Organisations like BETA, the
business to the UK: ELT industry. So, what is being between Dover and Calais are Tourism Alliance, and English UK
‘As a country, we have not always done to help? becoming more common, with are calling for the government to
made it easy for you. Since the UK In December of 2020, then processing and checks taking relax entry requirements for young
left the EU it has become harder Prime Minister, Boris Johnson, longer due to stricter passport students, and allow the UK’s ELT
for school groups to visit the UK announced the UK would no control after Brexit. industry room to fully recover.
and for international young people longer be participating in the Though this change to border As of writing, it is unclear what
to live and work in the EU.’ Erasmus+ program, instead control would include groups the future holds. What is clear,
Last to speak was Shadow replacing it with the Turing coming from France only, it is, however, is an industry that is
Tourism Minister, Jeff Smith, who student exchange scheme in arguably, a good first step. Six worth billions to the UK economy,
told of the valuable contribution September 2021. months on, however, we have yet and supports over 265,000 jobs,
the ELT sector makes to the The Turing scheme was to see any clear progress toward continues to find itself underfunded
economy: designed to expand international meeting this goal. and underappreciated.
6 September 2023