Last week, we welcomed more than 1,200 of you to the Travel Weekly Globe Travel Awards at London’s Grosvenor House hotel to recognise the industry’s best.
It was another glittering night, and it was great to see so many suppliers thanking those who had voted them on to the shortlists – including MSC Cruises, which hosted 50 agents in its VIP area on the balcony.
Nights like these don’t gloss over the challenges we face – and with exchange rates, Brexit uncertainty and the Sousse inquests currently in the news, there are some undoubted headwinds for the industry.
But the warmth and positivity from the record numbers in the room was nonetheless a good sign that many of you are feeling upbeat, not just about the peaks, but the months ahead.
There were some big winners on the night, with Gold Medal making three trips to the stage. Attraction World and Emirates bagged two each, and stablemates Jet2.com and Jet2holidays, and Royal Caribbean International, Celebrity Cruises and Azamara Club Cruises also triumphed.
But the biggest cheer of the evening came for the recipient of our Outstanding Achievement Award, Celebrity boss Jo Rzymowska. Already an immensely popular figure, she captured everyone’s hearts when she spoke of her passion for the industry, her desire to nurture the next generation and her commitment to promoting diversity in the workplace.
A truly worthy winner, and a gracious acceptance speech, which should act as a rallying call for us all heading into 2017.