We all knew there would be headwinds facing the travel industry as we entered the new year – but despite that forewarning, it was still sad to see a prominent company fail just days into 2017.
The collapse of All Leisure Group, and with it the loss of much-loved cruise brands Swan Hellenic and Voyages of Discovery, is a great shame for the industry, and as always our thoughts are with those staff affected.
The additional confirmation of the failure of cruise excursions specialist Tripashore late last year may indicate that the sector could be in troubled waters, but as this bumper special cruise-themed issue suggests, there is still much cause for optimism.
The growth of cruise over the past decade has been built on trade distribution, and this record 112-page special edition, sponsored by Royal Caribbean, is testament to the ongoing commitment of suppliers to the agent community.
It would be naive to think that the global pressures that led to the collapse of All Leisure Group won’t be squeezing other companies, but it is extremely positive to see so many lines continuing to back the trade as a way to ride them out.
Globe Travel Awards
Talking of trade support, this week we’ll be rewarding those who give the very best as we honour agents’ top suppliers at our Globe Travel Awards 2017.
Continuing the week of records, we’ll be breaking another with a stellar 1,250 guests set to join us at London’s Grosvenor House hotel. As always, it promises to be an amazing event. Make sure you check travelweekly.co.uk on Friday morning to find out which suppliers you voted as your 2017 winners.