From the huge cheers celebrating the success of the Three Lions reaching the World Cup semi-finals (could it really be coming home?) to the rainbows which adorned London on Saturday as 30,000 people took part in the annual Pride in London parade.
Pride was also on travel’s agenda last week as TTG hosted the fourth TTG LGBT Conference, followed by a huge celebration of diversity in the industry at Travel Pride, and the announcement of our first Travel Pride Champions.
There was less pride this week, however, in the shambolic actions of the UK government.
The PM’s Brexit plan has at least provided a degree of certainty, pleasing business leaders across all sectors who have grown increasingly concerned at the lack of progress with just eight months to go until the UK’s departure from the EU.
What is less pleasing – at least for the many travel businesses who employ UK resort reps – is confirmation that freedom of movement will come to an end on March 29, 2019. News of a “mobility framework” to enable UK and EU citizens to apply for study and work in each territory is reassuring, but with scant detail on this framework, operators reliant on employing UK reps in European resorts are unlikely to be comforted just yet.
The subsequent political fallout is also worrying. Whatever your view of Tory heavyweights David Davis and Boris Johnson, their resignations have raised questions over the future of the current government - and uncertainty is rarely good for business, or for holiday bookings.
Thankfully the Three Lions continue to provide a welcome distraction from the machinations of Westminster - and an opportune boost for travel. Abta has reported a recent “surge in demand” for Russia while one savvy agency even sold out a 148-seat private charter for Wednesday’s crunch match. Whether they bring it home or not, Gareth Southgate’s team has made us all feel proud. It’s a shame Theresa May and co haven’t been able to do the same.
