United Kingdom
United States
Asia Pacific
Anyone got any good news? – Comment by Jeremy Skidmore
We’re not far off the end of the year – and what a terrible one it has been for the travel industry.
Cadogan Holidays managing director Gary David is often criticised for talking up his company, but he’s honest enough to say how bad 2002 has been.
And he’s not alone. Speak to agents and operators up and down the country and they’ll tell you the same thing.
Several events, like the World Cup, Wimbledon, the Queen’s Jubilee and terrorism have all conspired to keep people at home.
The worrying thing is that it doesn’t look like changing much in the near future.
The market is currently as dead as a dodo and operators and agents will be clinging on to the hope that things will pick up in the New Year.
No doubt there will be some improvement when the advertising campaigns kick in and the tinsel comes down, but don’t bet on a bonanza year.
Prices are already at rock-bottom levels, people aren’t shopping and there is massive overcapacity in the market – probably to the tune of around 3 million seats.
MyTravel has survived by the skin of its teeth and you can expect the company to shrink its capacity next year as it concentrates on getting its house in order.
But there will be other casualties, probably among operators and agents.
And just wait for the fall-out when one of the many low-cost airlines goes to the wall. All those holidaymakers who are either stranded in resort or have no hope of getting a refund will at last prompt the government to reform our absurd bonding system.
Anyone got any good news?
Read previous comments by Jeremy Sidmore:
26-Nov-2002 Comment: Agent consortia should join, says Jeremy Skidmore
20-Nov-2002 Comment: Winter Bookings, by Jeremy Skidmore
13-Nov-2002 Comment: Timeshare and Resort Conference
05-Nov-2002 Comment: MyTravel
23-Oct-2002 Comment: The ABTA Convention
Walt Leger on New Orleans’ Resilience and Major Events Ahead
Cindy Mackin Shares Estes Park’s Winter Thrills
Mark Jaronski of Explore Georgia on FIFA World Cup 2026
Connecting Small Businesses to Global Tourism Markets: Nate Huff of Tourism Exchange
North Carolina’s Resilience: Wit Tuttell on Recovery and Tourism
Kittipong Prapattong’s Plan for Thailand’s Tourism Growth: Taxes, Visas, and Campaigns
James Jin: Didatravel’s Journey from China to Global Reach and the Impact of AI on Travel
Darien Schaefer on Pensacola’s Evolution: From Small Town to Global Destination
Florida Tourism’s Next Frontier: Dana Young on Expanding Beyond the Classics
Patrick Harrison on Tampa Bay Tourism’s Resilience and Marketing Strategy
Bubba O’Keefe on Clarksdale’s Vibrant Music Scene
Commemorating Elvis and Embracing Tupelo’s Culture with Jennie Bradford Curlee
BA suspending all Heathrow to Abu Dhabi flights
Unexpected wave rocks cruise ship
Woman dies after going overboard in English Channel
Report: Cruise guest died after ship lashed in heavy storm
British teen in serious condition after paraglider collision