Comment by Jeremy Skidmore
Jeremy Skidmore gives his views for 2003
Now’s the time for people to make some predictions for 2003.
It’s an easy job for journalists, because we usually just spout a lot of off-the-wall remarks. If they turn out to be wrong, they never get mentioned again. Of course, if we get them right, we mention it over the course of the year as many times as it is possible to do.
But it’s not easy to make outlandish predictions for 2003.
We now all expect there will be a war in January – I sincerely hope I’m wrong about that.
If so, bookings will obviously drop and this time I think several companies will go to the wall. From what I hear there are already lots of smaller operators on the brink.
That apart, I think it will be a pretty dull year.
A lot of the mavericks and personalities have left the business to be replaced by more sensible strategists – often accountants.
This is typical of a maturing business and don’t expect any huge capacity hikes by companies trying to capitalise on the misfortunes of MyTravel. Those days have long gone in the current economic climate.
But I differ from my old mate Russell Amerasekera (see interview) on one point, though.
He predicts MyTravel will be taken over, but I don’t – yet. There are too many unanswered questions and debts to put off a potential purchaser.
If any of the above is wrong, don’t expect me to mention it again!
Good luck for 2003.
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