United Kingdom
United States
Asia Pacific
Comment by Jeremy Skidmore
Jeremy Skidmore gives his views for 2003
Now’s the time for people to make some predictions for 2003.
It’s an easy job for journalists, because we usually just spout a lot of off-the-wall remarks. If they turn out to be wrong, they never get mentioned again. Of course, if we get them right, we mention it over the course of the year as many times as it is possible to do.
But it’s not easy to make outlandish predictions for 2003.
We now all expect there will be a war in January – I sincerely hope I’m wrong about that.
If so, bookings will obviously drop and this time I think several companies will go to the wall. From what I hear there are already lots of smaller operators on the brink.
That apart, I think it will be a pretty dull year.
A lot of the mavericks and personalities have left the business to be replaced by more sensible strategists – often accountants.
This is typical of a maturing business and don’t expect any huge capacity hikes by companies trying to capitalise on the misfortunes of MyTravel. Those days have long gone in the current economic climate.
But I differ from my old mate Russell Amerasekera (see interview) on one point, though.
He predicts MyTravel will be taken over, but I don’t – yet. There are too many unanswered questions and debts to put off a potential purchaser.
If any of the above is wrong, don’t expect me to mention it again!
Good luck for 2003.
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
Craig Ray and the Expansion of the Blues Trail
Presenting Mississippi’s Cultural Trails with Katie Coats
BA suspending all Heathrow to Abu Dhabi flights
Turkish Airlines flight in emergency landing after pilot dies
Unexpected wave rocks cruise ship
Woman dies after going overboard in English Channel
Foreign Office issues travel advisory for winter sun destinations