p2 nov7 5/11/08 20:54 Page 2
At TTG, it’s our duty
to report the facts –
news
even if it is bad news
I RECEIVED a really upbeat letter this week from
On Holiday Group sales director Brian Young, urging
travel not to succumb to “negative reinforcement”
in the economic downturn.
Instead of focusing on the negatives and ensuring
all the doom and gloom predictions come true, he
says travel should promote itself harder than ever.
The big players should run heavyweight TV
this week
campaigns, shops should place inspirational
messages in windows and everyone should hit data-
bases hard with relevant communications, he said.
Brian believes that if we all reinforce in our minds
that it’s going to be bad, then it will be. But if we take
steps now to respond positively to the situation, then
we stand a better chance of having a decent 2009.
His outburst – you can read the full letter on
Celebrity Solstice sails into Florida
ttglive.com – was triggered by the depressing news of Celebrity Cruises’ new Solstice ship arrived in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, this
late about the credit crunch, collapses and miserable week ahead of its official naming and inaugural cruise on November 23.
outlook, much of it covered in TTG, of course. Meanwhile, Carnival UK chief executive David Dingle has explained why he
Unfortunately, while I agree the media should not decided to phase out informal budget brand Ocean Village p14
scaremonger unjustifiably, it is our job to reflect the
reality of what is happening.
I was personally berated earlier in the year by one New job. Advantage.
agent, furious about a story we ran suggesting XL boss back at Cook p4 Agencies swap staff p12
economic factors were conspiring to create the Steve Barrass, the former director Two Advantage travel agents from
“perfect storm”. of failed XL Leisure Group, has Bradford will stage their own
He said anyone reading it would have felt like returned to Thomas Cook and agent version of Wife Swap when
committing suicide, and branded us “irresponsible” taken up the role of director of they run each other’s businesses
for reporting such predictions. His view was that its Direct Holidays brand for a day later this month
TTG should simply talk up travel.
But since then, events in the world economy have Online. WTM.
borne out that article’s projections and brought it Travelzest outsource deal p6 Event preview and news p16
home just how difficult a period we are now in. More companies with loss-making Delegates at next week’s WTM
Barely a trade event goes by now without websites are expected to outsource will hear how bed banks are
someone offering advice on how to weather their operations after Travelzest tipped to increasingly target
the economic storm that experts fear will be and On Holiday Group agreed a deal consumers directly as more
with us for at least another year. for holiday.co.uk and flight.co.uk holidaymakers seek bargains
So TTG will continue to report the facts – in the downturn
and inevitably that might not always be Acquisitions.
good news. Alpha snaps up two firms p9 City & finance.
But we will report it in a way Alpha Consolidations, the Steven Credit insurance woes p20
that serves to alert, educate and and Tony Freudmann-backed Travel has been warned that the
advise you on the best way travel industry investment vehicle, credit industry is likely to consider
through the downturn. has bought Austria Travel and the sector a high risk for some
Armed with accurate Travel Club of Upminster time to come as the credit squeeze
information and insightful analysis, continues to bite
and the positive attitude that Brian DIY.
advocates, there should be no Counsellors change tack p10 SECTORS.
chance of “negative reinforcement”. A survey has found a greater focus Cruise p28
on dynamic packaging has helped Operators p32
Travel Counsellors agents to grow Hotels & resorts p38
Lucy Huxley Editor their business in 2008, and 80% Air p42
claim to be optimistic about 2009 Business travel p46
02 07.11.2008
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