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Panellists, from left: Tony Roberts, Princess Cruises and Clia; Paula Lacey, Advantage; Phil Gardner, Thomas Cook; and Simon Wood, Kantar TNS


‘Brexit uncertainty likely to remain until March 29’


January may not bring clarity on Brexit, senior industry figures warn. Ian Taylor reports


The industry cannot expect certainty around Brexit but should be prepared for “bumps in the road” and ready for “all eventualities”.


That is the view of Princess Cruises UK vice-president and Clia UK chairman Tony Roberts, who told a Travel Weekly Business Breakfast in December: “We continue to plan for uncertainty. We’re planning for all eventualities.”


72travelweekly.co.uk3 January 2019 Roberts said: “My personal view


is we are not going to get there until March 29 and it is likely we’ll have a delay to the Brexit process in some form. That is unwelcome from a certainty perspective, but it may give us a more positive outcome.” He argued: “No-deal is not in


anyone’s interests. I’m hopeful we can find a better way forward.” Princess Cruises operates from Dover, which could be at the centre


Chris Mottershead


of any chaos in the event of a no-deal Brexit. However, Roberts said: “Most of our UK departures are from Southampton which hopefully won’t be under the same duress. Our departures from Dover are later in the summer. Hopefully, we’ll be clearer on the way forward by then.” Yet he warned: “There is clearly uncertainty to come. There are going to be bumps in the road. It’s our job to inspire people to travel and make it simple.” Advantage Travel Partnership commercial and membership


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PICTURES: SARAH LUCY BROWN


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