There are far too many nice people and nice events in 2017 to mention, and I surprise myself with my first entry – Brexit. And no, I haven’t had one too many Christmas sherries.
I personally don’t agree with the decision to leave the EU, but in recent weeks there was the good news that the UK’s divorce from the EU will not currently have a major impact on the freedom of movement of people.
This means that travellers should be able to continue to holiday around the EU without significant extra visa challenges. While there are many other complex elements to Brexit, this is a positive step to lead us into 2018, and I am determined to be optimistic in the festive season.
It wouldn’t be Christmas without some goodwill to all men and women. And it’s worth celebrating that in 2017 Australia, Germany and Malta added their names to the now 26 nations around the world who have legalised same sex marriage.
Rounding off my nice list are the efforts of travel businesses that have raised so much money in 2017 for so many great causes, such as for the families of apprentice travel agent Chloe Rutherford from Westoe Travel who was killed in the Manchester bombing this year.
Given the many tragic events of 2017, my naughty list is a little easier to think up. I have three themes: disaster, disappointment and dangerous.
Under disaster sits the long-term impacts from Hurricane Irma, and other notable storms that wreaked havoc and destruction during this year’s hurricane season. We all still have a huge job to do in 2018 to remind and excite the world about the Caribbean.
My disappointment of the year is the demise of the airline Monarch. It is so sad when a business that offers a great service just cannot survive in these most aggressive of times.
The downright most dangerous event of the year goes to the arrival in our lives of President Donald Trump. And considering 2017 was a year that saw all kinds of awful events, this is some feat. There have been more than enough column inches dedicated to his Twitter rants, lies and appallingly unpresidential decisions that I won’t say anymore. Bah humbug to you Mr President.
With my hopeful (Santa) hat on, I look at my 2017 naughty list and hope for redemption and that those events and individuals will turn things around for the New Year. The Caribbean is open for business and and the travel industry is buoyed with new appointments for some of Monarch’s senior team.
And I am hoping Santa’s shiny gifts can distract Trump enough to keep him from being disruptive for at least one day. ‘Tis the season after all.
Jo Rzymowska is managing director UK and Ireland, and Asia Pacific of Celebrity Cruises
