when amongst the flurry of Christmas preparations,

minds turn to the promise of that time away in the Sun.

2017 marked a momentous year for the Travel Industry with the conclusion of the Tunisia Massacre Inquest, Travel Company and Airline collapses and a continued lack of Consumer confidence in destinations spanning from the Eastern Mediterranean to North Africa. Political turmoil is affecting Travel and its choices at a fundamental and granular level, challenging ordinary Consumers. So, against this happy backdrop, are there bright spots or pressure points for Consumers in the year ahead?

My predictions for 2018 are:

1. Short-haul Package Holiday destinations will remain limited in scope and under pressure. The effect of terror and closed-off destinations will continue through 2018, meaning that UK Consumers will be faced with a corridor of choice stretching down from the UK, through France, Spain and to the Canaries. There are however movements afoot to open up some closed-off destinations and we have seen this through travel advisories being lifted for Tunisia. I would expect to see Advisories for Egypt to be lifted at some stage in 2018. I remain concerned about the return of tourism to these areas and Consumers should satisfy themselves about risk before they book! 
2. Long-haul will offer diversity and choice and a potential escape away from limitations on Travel. I think the great unsung hero of destinations for 2018 is going to be Central America. The sights, sounds and colour of this region will excite and you should expect a warm welcome from its peoples. I predict that Mexico and Costa Rica will lead the way in this destination boom and expect to be offered a wider choice of experience rather than some of the older favourites.
3. Brexit will impact Consumers holiday costs. An average all-inclusive holiday for 2 adults and 2 children, with one free or reduced child place, before the Referendum vote, was £2,850. The UK Pound has taken a battering on the global markets and its fall currently rests around 15%. Holidaymakers will have to plan and expect to pay more for their holidays, the cost of their foreign currency and those incidentals in resort. Another factor that will raise its head in 2018, surrounds the additional bureaucracy now being experienced by pet owners taking their animals abroad; will this be a start of ‘red-tape’ for Consumers?
4. One issue that has permeated quietly throughout 2017, concerns the travel bans and extra vetting procedures now active in the USA. For most Consumers this has provided little change, however, this year I have heard of several injustices against UK Muslim Holidaymakers, subjected to what is a flawed process. I think 2018 will reveal more instances of innocent UK Muslims being subject to refusal of entry, despite complying with everything required of them. In my view this will produce a watershed where inter-governmental action will be required to restore fairness and balance!
5. The Financial state of Travel Companies will continue to give cause for concern. Financial collapses in 2017 revealed a range of issues and pressures facing Travel Companies. Some companies have already re-situated their business models elsewhere in the EU rather than the UK; this trend will continue as brexit begins to bite and companies are looking to secure their potential in the single market and perhaps access to a better and cheaper Financial Protection Scheme. In 2018, Consumers will need to look before they book - understand the base of operations and in which jurisdiction the Financial Protection Scheme operates!
6. Closer-to-home destinations will become more attractive; I predict that the Islands of Scotland, in particular Skye and the Wild Atlantic Way in the Republic of Ireland will create interest. Skye is controversially becoming an important stop for smaller cruise ships, but this island has so much more to offer than a fleeting glance. The Wild Atlantic Way, on the outer reaches of Europe brings together Irish hospitality and scenic drama. One aspect that will attract holidaymakers to these areas will be to experience the sights of major Film Productions - Skye (Prometheus), The Wild Atlantic Way (Skerrig - Star Wars: The Last Jedi). I predict that UK holidaymakers will increasingly swop parasols for experience;
7. Watch out for ‘over-tourism’ issues; 2017 saw its rise on the Travel Agenda and it will continue throughout 2018. As Consumers we cannot remain detached from the effects of their Travel decisions, 2018 will require Consumers to become savvy Consumers and learn about and understand the issues  in their favourite destinations. Consumers will have to make choices on destination or engage in sustainable tourism; this is a slow-burn issue for 2018 and beyond!
8. The booking experience is about to become a lot richer! The imminent arrival of the Fourth Industrial Revolution will dramatically change the way we as Consumers interact with businesses. Expect to see smarter engagement through Social Media where it will recognise your choices in a more dynamic way. Need to talk to your Travel Agent; possibilities are growing for big brands to create access to your personal advisor through your Smart TV, in which you will be able to discuss and examine in detail your holiday intentions from the comfort of your settee?

I think that the days of innocently browsing through brochures and making binary choices on travel are probably over. If we have learned anything from this and previous years, Consumers are having to become not just savvy on price but on a whole range of issues relating to their travel decisions; predictions and trends can help you to define what you need to do!