Comment: Positivity tempered by images from LA

The images emerging from Los Angeles over the past week have been shocking and have served as a reminder of how susceptible many popular destinations are to the power of nature.

As I write, the city is bracing itself for more challenges with high winds forecast, so it is to be hoped that further damage can be kept to a minimum. Once the fires are eventually contained, travel professionals offering inspiration and clear information will have a key role to play in the city’s recovery.

On a more positive note, there were further upbeat trading reports this week, though with the spectre of discounts and a lack of marketing support causing concern for some.

We also spoke to agency owners who are expanding their businesses heading into 2025 to cater for demand and fulfil their growth plans.

On the subject of positivity, the Travel Weekly office was also abuzz as we gear up for this week’s Globe Travel Awards in London.

As always, we have a very special night in store for the sell-out audience, and the evening will once again be a fantastic opportunity to celebrate the partnerships that are the bedrock of the industry. If you aren’t fortunate enough to have secured a ticket, you can find out the winners and catch up with all the reaction on the night on travelweekly.co.uk and across our social media channels, plus we’ll have full coverage in the next two editions of Travel Weekly.