Travel Weekly’s Lucy Huxley writes how recent poor weather has helped the trade kickstart 2023 in a positive way, as she looks ahead to the Globe Travel Awards this evening
Gloomy weather on Saturday and Sunday made for a dour first full weekend since the festive break, yet the grey skies weren’t necessarily unwelcome for the travel industry.
The torrential downpours that hit much of the country will have prompted many customers to think about sunnier climes and their Easter or summer getaways.
And with family days out postponed in favour of trips to town centres or hunkering down at home with laptops or tablets, they will have had plenty of opportunities to turn those thoughts into action.
It remains to be seen whether rising prices and the cost‑of-living squeeze will cause a significant shift in preferred durations, destinations and dates of travel. But as we approach the middle of the month, it certainly appears the appetite to explore a range of options and pin down a booking remains strong.
This much-needed positive start to the year will be the backdrop for tonight’s Travel Weekly Globe Travel Awards, the first to take place in their traditional January date since before the pandemic. And all in attendance will be hoping the early peaks momentum can be maintained as we celebrate the partnerships that will underpin the strongest recoveries.
As guests on a Travel Weekly webcast told me last week, agents are now putting into practice their pandemic vows to support those who supported them in the darkest of times.
Make sure you find out which suppliers and destinations got their Globes votes by staying tuned to Travel Weekly’s website and our social media channels this evening.