London-based media outlets are often accused of not focusing enough on the rest of the UK and, as a company based in the capital, Travel Weekly occasionally gets asked the same question.
While it’s true that factors such as venue size and the proliferation of business headquarters in and around London mean a number of our events take place in London, we also make sure the team is on the road as much as possible to ensure we cover the entire industry.
Last week was no exception, as we decamped to Manchester en masse for our first regional Travel Weekly Business Breakfast, held on the morning of another incredible Northern Ball at Old Trafford cricket ground.
Brilliantly hosted by Manchester airport, the breakfast discussed Travel’s Northern Powerhouse, epitomised by speakers from the airport, Thomas Cook Airlines, Travel Counsellors and Rentalcars.
In the audience we had representatives from other prominent northern travel firms such as On the Beach and Shearings Holidays, along with agents such as Ken Garrity Travel and Travel by Design. Collectively these firms, and others, employ thousands of people across the region and contribute vibrancy and dynamism to our fantastic industry.
The north, and the Manchester region in particular, is rich in travel heritage. But the scope of successful companies in the room demonstrates those riches are far from a thing of the past.
The government’s Northern Powerhouse strategy will clearly play a role in ensuring access to the right infrastructure and skills. But the most important things will be the determination, passion and resourcefulness that are clearly in abundance across the north.
Comment from Travel Weekly, September 21 edition