business Essential news, comment and analysis


From left: Stuart Parish, Travel Weekly Group; Richard Calvert, SLG; Jennifer


Atkinson, ITC; Tricia Williams, Manchester airport; Christopher Debus, Thomas


Cook Airlines; Matt Herbert, Shearings; and Simon Cooper, On the Beach


‘We’re in concord: don’t fear the worst over Brexit’


Travel Weekly held a recent Business Breakfast under the wings of a retired Concorde at Manchester airport. Ben Ireland reports


Travel companies were urged to be optimistic ahead of Brexit and not “plan for the worst”, despite continued uncertainty over Britain’s departure next year from the EU.


A panel of five industry


executives agreed businesses have to be bold during the transition period and must be ready to adapt to fluctuating consumer confidence in travel. Simon Cooper, chief executive


of Manchester-based online travel agency On the Beach, said: “There’s no guidance on what a


80 travelweekly.co.uk 11 October 2018


no-deal Brexit would look like so it’s very difficult to plan for what you can’t know.” He said his business had already


seen a substantial number of its staff from EU countries leave since the 2016 referendum result. “There was a sort of mini-


exodus,” he said. “We may see another wave of that depending on what happens with Brexit.” Cooper predicted that


customers would hold off making bookings until the government gives more clarity on how Brexit will look. “There have


been fluctuations in consumer confidence,” he added. “As we drag our way to the finish line I think we will potentially see a different booking profile for travel in summer 2019 and beyond. “That would be unhelpful, and


anything that affects the currency affects the entire industry. Regardless of whether you are selling to a price-sensitive customer or not, if prices go up 10 or 20%, they go up 10 or 20% for everyone. “The only certain thing in travel


is the level of uncertainty we deal with on an annual basis. But out of uncertainty is born opportunity.” Richard Calvert, chief executive


of Shearings parent Specialist Leisure Group, said: “I think the


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