It scarcely seems believable that we have already arrived at the Easter school holidays and the end of the first quarter of this year’s trading.
The first three months of the year feel like they have flown past and suppliers and agents alike will be taking stock of the peaks and planning for the next period of sales.
The year kicked off with multiple reports of sales records being broken, and that positivity has largely continued in the weeks since.
However, there have also been notes of caution sounded around pricing and the need to stimulate certain core segments of the market.
Last week’s positive news on inflation and the governor of the Bank of England’s upbeat take on interest rates should help to build confidence.
But it remains to be seen if families will feel the prospect of rate cuts later in the year is enough to encourage them to take the plunge and confirm their summer getaway.
The early Easter and mixed weather forecast for the coming weeks may help loosen the purse strings, with those opting for a domestic break forgiven for feeling a little jealous of those who have taken off for sunnier climes.
But, as always, the industry will feel a slight sense of trepidation heading into the first big travel weekend of the year, with hopes that disruption will be minimal and the attention of the consumer media will be focused elsewhere.
This weekend, the clocks spring forward and herald the arrival of longer and brighter days. Let’s hope that serves as a metaphor for more industry positivity during the second quarter.