That’s if the predictions from agents are anything to go by. In the latest monthly Travel Agent Tracker discussion* agents from across the UK spoke of record months, and as the industry headed into the Christmas period there was an overwhelming sense of optimism.
True, cost of living pressures are more intense than ever, and yes, some clients might be tightening their belts. But just as many, it seems, are placing a greater focus on living life to the full, with Northern Ireland-based Sandra Corkin telling of a hike in bookings for "aspirational, bucket-list destinations”.
Meanwhile, the trend towards consumers returning to travel agents looks set to continue into 2023. Suffolk-based Deben Travel reports a surge in first-time clients while over the past year, almost 10% of Barrhead Travel’s sales have been from new-to-brand customers.
“There are definite headwinds on the way and we need to be very careful,” says Barrhead president Jacqueline Dobson, “but we are very optimistic”. So optimistic, in fact, that Barrhead is set to open its new 35-staff flagship store in Glasgow next month. Its high street expansion doesn’t stop there – while reluctant to commit to numbers, Dobson does reveal: “We will definitely be looking at new stores and also relocating stores in 2023.”
But while the surge in bucket-list trips and renewed love for the high street are undoubtedly important trends for 2023, there is another even more crucial one – the continued interest in sustainable travel. Intrepid’s James Thornton says it has “accelerated way beyond what we forecast before Covid, and will only continue to grow in the year ahead”.
It needs to. Thornton believes if travel “doesn’t do the hard yards by itself, we may find regulators and governments eventually step in to compel us to”. Businesses, no matter how small, can start by measuring and reporting on their environmental impact – a journey TTG is currently on ourselves.
If everyone in travel made 2023 the year they start taking sustainability seriously, what a happy new year that would be.
*Find out how to join TTG’s monthly Travel Agent Tracker discussions here.
