As he put it, “people are getting used to the fact the world’s a changing place”. Which is perhaps why, despite further terror attacks and threats of airport and cabin crew strikes, many agents and operators tell us they enjoyed a record December.
Interesting too that despite the challenges Turkey’s tourism industry faced in 2016, it was the fifth most searched for summer 2017 destination by Thomas Cook online customers on Christmas Day and Boxing Day, proving consumer resilience. Nor does the weak pound appear to be dampening sales to dollar or euro destinations; one agent this week attributes half of his 40% growth in December to bookings to the US alone.
Meanwhile, Advantage members agree the exchange rate is having no impact on the European winter ski market.
As we welcomed in the new year, any optimism that the world might be a more stable place in 2017 was cruelly shaken by the callous shooting of 39 revellers at an Istanbul nightclub. And in politics, it is only in 2017 that Trump actually comes to power, and that Article 50 is finally enacted in the UK – meaning there could be just as much geopolitical turmoil this year as last.
But if the UK travel market could grow in 2016, despite such frequent, unexpected and sustained challenges, it should give agents peace of mind that in this new world, anything is possible for you and your business.
TTG makes changes at the top
It’s something of a new world at TTG Media too as I become editor after three years as news editor, and Pippa Jacks takes up a new position as group editor.
We’ve got lots of exciting events and initiatives in store, from TTG ’s Top 50 and TTG On Tour to the TTG LGBT Conference and unmissable TTG Travel Awards.
