Lisa McAuley: ‘The worst thing you can do is nothing’

Scaremongering headlines such as “Is this the start of World War 3?” had my daughter asking me about the possibility of us going to war when we should have been snorkelling, enjoying the last day of our holiday in beautiful Barbados.

And while Brexit has been consigned to the second page, it’s still hanging over us.

As you’re reading this, we’re in the midst of peaks season. If it’s anything like December, I have no doubt it will be busy.

Based on the call volumes we’ve been seeing at Gold Medal and Travel 2 since 27 December, I have a lot to be positive about.

The new norm for the world is we live and operate in uncertain times.

Strategic planning is a given in business, but growth, innovation, stability and profitability will be realised by those whose strategies include agility – in particular, the ability to implement effective change with pace.

To quote former US president Theodore Roosevelt: “In any moment of decision, the best thing you can do is the right thing. The next best thing is the wrong thing, and the worst thing you can do is nothing.”

Whether you’re in tour operator like me, or you’re a retailer, a DMC, an airline, a hotel, a cruise line or one of the many other organisations that make up our fabulous industry, we all need to keep our businesses agile, focus on the positives and extol the virtues of the travel industry.

Let’s remember ours is still one of the world’s fastest-growing sectors.

We have a lot to be proud of. Let’s not forget to seize the opportunity to make the most of the innovation, change, new consumer habits and technology impacting our sector.

Wherever 2020 takes you, I wish you success and happiness on the way.