The report painted a positive picture of the market in 2016.

And the good news doesn’t stop there: the annual survey also revealed a 6% increase in the number of holidaymakers booking package holidays compared to 2015, while the number who booked their holiday in a high street store also rose, from 17% to 19%.

For travel agents, the survey results make for relatively encouraging reading, certainly in terms of the customers of today. But how much can such a survey tell us about the customers of tomorrow?

Sessions at the conference looked at what the consumers of the future will demand and desire, how technology will shape their behaviour, and how travel companies can best position themselves to appeal to this generation of travellers.

Some thought-provoking questions were posed.

How soon will robots be working in your company? Could wearable technology mean paying for dinner with a mere wave of the hand? And how might 5G ­– the next phase of mobile internet connection speed –­ affect mobile transactions?

It seems the only thing that we can say for sure is that the pace of change shows no sign of slowing.

But in all the talk of robots, virtual reality and mobile-overload, there was also a message about the power of a trusted brand and the value of heritage ­ with Thomas Cook, for example, determined to balance technological advance with honouring its 175-year-long legacy.

Interesting too that The Travel Network Group has this week unveiled a new brand within its membership to underline the longevity of some of its longest-standing members.

Technology is changing the world beyond all recognition, it’s true, and traditional travel businesses must keep up in order to remain relevant.

But those that can successfully blend heritage with technological innovation will stand a strong chance of being around for all those tomorrows.