p2 sep25 23/9/09 19:56 Page 2
Our salute to those
who have triumphed news
through adversity
HOW TIME flies. It really doesn’t feel like 12 months
since we last gathered at the Grosvenor House to
hand out the TTG Travel Awards.
Writing this on the day after the awards, I can’t
help but reflect on what a turbulent year it has been
for the industry.
Last year, almost exactly 24 hours after the final
award was handed out, news of the collapse of XL
this week
Leisure Group started to filter through.
Today, the industry is still coming to terms with
the fallout of that collapse, with many of the issues
it highlighted around customer financial protection
yet to be resolved.
Mercifully there has been no repeat this year. But
financial and regulatory pressures are expected to
continue to put firms under intense pressure as the
autumn Atol renewal period looms.
The Sydney orange house
Speaking to people on Tuesday night I was struck International flights to Sydney were diverted on Wednesday when the city’s
by how genuinely devastated people who know airport was blanketed by a cloud of red dust blown in from the outback.
Dougie McCarthy are about the collapse of his Australia’s worst dust storm in 70 years caused mayhem to flight schedules as
agency this week. It is during such occasions, when services were scrapped because of poor visibility. The dust storm created an
amid all the celebrations people take time to orange glow over Sydney and covered dozens of towns and cities in two states.
empathise with those who have not been so
fortunate, that you are reminded just how the travel Atols. Comment.
industry is like one big family. Firms face renewal pain p4 Independence age p16
Having overseen the awards judging process and Fears are growing of a barrage of With more people confident
chaired a number of panels, I can personally vouch failures as ailing travel firms face about putting together their own
for the credentials of every one of our finalists and further financial pressure as the holiday, today is truly the age of
winners. Atol renewal deadline looms independent travel, says Kane Pirie
In a year that has been tough, to say the least,
winning a TTG Travel Award – or even making a Airports. Operators.
shortlist – should be seen as a major achievement. Jet2 boss wins backing p5 Recovery at the top? p20
And with pressure on marketing budgets, the Philip Meeson earns trade support Enchanting Holidays has reported a
value of this stamp of approval becomes after police warn him over incident surge in sales from top-end clients
even greater. with Manchester check-in staff as the economy hints at recovery
This year’s awards attracted twice as
many registrations as last year’s, as well as TTG. Air.
a record number of agent ratings, making it TTG Travel Awards 2009 p6 Boost for the regions p22
clear the TTG Travel Awards remain cov- The successes, the dresses, the More airlines will want to fly to UK
eted and valued by you, our readers. acclaim, the fame – find out who regional airports, reports Leeds
So congratulations to all those won what at this week’s dazzling Bradford’s Tony Hallwood from
who entered, made the shortlists awards night in central London the Routes Conference in Beijing
and received the ultimate
accolade. Cruise. Business travel.
It’s been a challenging year, National Cruise Week p9 Indie agents face threat p24
but these awards show just what an Cruise prices will return to their Carlson Wagonlit has become
incredibly resilient, innovative and pre-recession levels, the boss of the second big TMC to declare its
dynamic industry we work in. Royal Caribbean has predicted intention to target SME business
Here’s to the next 12 months.
Agents. SECTORS.
Advantage 2009 p10 Operators p18
Lucy Huxley Editor Three-page special report from the Air p22
Advantage Conference in London Business travel p24
02 25.09.2009
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