If you’re anything like me you’ll be wondering where the time has gone this year. But when you start to look back over a year in travel – it seems like a very long year indeed!

This year ABTA members have been working hard to help people travel with confidence, whether that’s finding customers the best holiday to deliver on their dreams – with value for money a driving force – or supporting them through some of the various operational challenges.

It has been a busy year and ABTA members have really shown their value in terms of the service you provide your customers. And we’re pleased to have been able to support you with this.

We finish the year on a positive note – confidence in travel, both from a consumer and industry point of view, is strong. Despite a challenging economic environment, customers are still keen to book and feedback from members shows optimism for the year ahead.

We’re very much looking forward to embracing the peak booking period and have lots of exciting plans in store to celebrate it.

Talking of celebrations, wherever you are this festive period – whether you’re one of the millions heading abroad or visiting a different part of the UK, or not venturing further than your couch, I wish you all a very Merry Christmas from us all here at ABTA. We look forward to being with you in the new year.

Mark Tanzer, Chief Executive