"The most difficult thing is the decision to act, the rest is merely tenacity. You can do whatever you decide to do".
So said Amelia Earhart, the first female aviator to fly solo across the Atlantic. And for captain Kate McWilliams – who became the world’s youngest female airline captain aged 26 and is 2018’s everywoman in Travel Woman of the Year – it’s the single best advice she gives to others wanting to succeed (p40).
Theresa May has perhaps also been paying heed to Earhart. Whatever your opinion of the PM, she’s certainly proved her tenacity. And as TTG went to press, that determination was coming to a head as MPs debated the most important vote in decades.
But with the Brexit deal expected to be rejected, the only certainty facing the UK is further uncertainty (p5).
Happily, for all the bluster and panic in recent days (and indeed the past two years), the world has continued to turn, businesses have continued to thrive and people continue to holiday.
Key, in part, has been creative marketing from travel companies – reassuring customers and promoting getaways amid the ongoing uncertainty.
And this week we celebrate those in the industry who have excelled at doing exactly that, as we reveal the shortlist for the 2019 Travel Marketing Awards (p26).
Brilliant marketing ideas are not only borne of experts, though. Essex-based Encore Travel has created its own mobile agency after seeing success from Jet2holidays’ pop-up trailer.
The homeworking agency, which previously missed out on passing trade, saw a three-fold increase in sales during its first weekend of operation (p8).
It’s a perfect example of an agent demonstrating tenacity and, like their customers, ignoring the chaos of Westminster. In the words of this week’s columnist Derek Jones, “Brexit schmexit” (p33).
Here’s to keeping calm, and selling holidays.