COMMENT IN MY OPINION
Whichever side of the Brexit argument you are on, it’s inescapable that
the situation over the last two and a half years has caused uncertainty and real divisions. There are divisions between families,
between colleagues and between businesses over whether we should be staying in, leaving or doing something that is as yet undefined with regards to our membership of the EU. I have strong views on what we ought to be doing, but this column isn’t about my views on that. What I believe we need to think about is how travel may be able to help heal the open wounds caused by very different ideologies that got us to where we are today.
Broaden our horizons The whole reason for travel is to see different cultures and landscapes, meet people who are different from ourselves and broaden our horizons and thinking. Brexit has shown none of these traits. The level of vitriol and abuse waged by those on both sides of the debate, led by our politicians, has been astounding. We should value our differences
Travel can
help to heal a divided nation
Holidays will bring people back together after the bruises of Brexit
GILES HAWKE
CHIEF EXECUTIVE, COSMOS AND AVALON WATERWAYS
At the time of writing, there is no BREXIT
and listen to other views and try to understand them, rather than just shout louder about our own opinions. Travel is a great example. It gives us the opportunity to learn from different people and places rather than have an insular view of things that just reinforces our existing beliefs and behaviours.
certainty on where we are going with Brexit. Maybe by the time this is published we will have a clearer idea. Wherever that is, once we get there we all need to look at how we can make the best of whatever the situation is and pull together to encourage people to travel, to explore, to experience and to open their minds to different ideas and cultures.
Show our openness Despite the uncertainty and the weakness of sterling, many people are still travelling and planning to travel in the future. They may be downgrading in price, or changing destination, or waiting for late availability, but many are still going away and, once we have a fixed Brexit position, it is likely that many more will commit to going away as
certainty, whatever that may look like, returns to the market. If we can encourage customers to
get away and experience everything the world has to offer, we will all be doing our bit to show the world that the people of the UK don’t behave like our politicians; that we are generous of spirit and open to other experiences and cultures; and that we see the world as a place to share and protect, rather than be fearful of and closed to. I believe a holiday is the perfect
antidote to our political situation. And those families with members on opposite sides of the Brexit divide might find that they are brought together by taking a break away to re-establish their relationships to a pre-Brexit level.
READ MORE COLUMNS BY GILES HAWKE:
GO.TRAVELWEEKLY.CO.UK/COMMENT
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travelweekly.co.uk 4 April 2019
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