As I write this column on Tuesday, the growing sense of excitement in the Travel Weekly office about this week’s Globe Travel Awards is tempered by breaking news of another attack at a key tourist destination.
Among other things, 2015 will be remembered as a year in which tourism truly became a target for those determined to derail overseas economies and instil a sense of fear and trepidation among potential visitors.
This week’s attack in Istanbul followed others in Cairo and Hurghada. All serve as a sobering reminder that we would be naive to think there will not be more of the same in 2016.
As has been said in these pages before, we must find a balance between a sensible approach to risk and the need to encourage people to continue to reap the many benefits of holidays at home and abroad.
And we must also continue to celebrate all that is good about this special industry.
This Cruise Special Edition does just that, turning the spotlight on to a sector which continues to offer great opportunities for consumers and the trade alike.
And I sincerely hope that the many hundreds of guests who will gather in London for the Globes this week will welcome the chance to show solidarity as they also honour the trade’s best suppliers.
To find out if your favourite suppliers triumphed on the night, make sure you log on to travelweekly.co.uk on Friday morning for full reports, photos and a round-up of the latest social media reaction.