Named as ‘news journalist of the year’ at the 2017 Business Travel Journalism Awards, Simon Calder, senior travel editor of The Independent, is widely known as Britain’s leading travel commentator and as the ‘man who pays his way’. Based on his extensive knowledge across tourism and travel, Calder will be making his much-anticipated British Tourism & Travel Show speaking debut, discussing various trends, challenges and opportunities for the travel trade. Find out more in this exclusive Speaker Q&A.
Tell us a bit about your background and how you came to be ‘Britain’s leading travel commentator’
I was born a mile south of Gatwick Airport. I didn’t simply watch it grow – I was working there in various roles. While this was going on, I was studying Maths just down the road from BTTS at Warwick University and writing books about the one form of transport I could afford: hitch-hiking. This was when budget travel and the guidebooks to go with it were blossoming.
As a budget travel writer, I didn’t take free trips (I didn’t think anyone would give me any transport …) which turned out to be a good thing when The Independent started in 1986. I started as a freelance contributor, and when the great Frank Barrett, travel correspondent, moved from The Independent, I stumbled into his job. That was 25 years ago. It was my dream role and I certainly didn’t have any yearning for anything more. But a couple of years later, the BBC asked me to start contributing, and I have been getting up early ever since!
What do you see as key trends in the coming year for domestic travel?
Records will be broken for domestic tourism. Partly that is because of happy memories of 2018, when the sun seemed to shine all summer long. And partly it’s because of widespread worries among British travellers about what Brexit will mean. But there are equal and opposite forces at work in the European Union. Britain’s departure will automatically make it much more difficult for at least 100 million potential visitors to come to the UK – because the government intends to ban EU citizens visiting with just an identity card. And an exodus of EU workers will hit the service sector extremely hard. I fear deeply that European Union citizens who have done us the honour of working here, paying taxes and spending money, will start to leave in increasing numbers – weakening the UK in the short and long term.
Do you think the UK tourism industry (including coach tourism) has a strong future?
Yes, so long as we can get back our mojo for welcoming the world.
How important is The British Tourism & Travel show to the group travel industry?
Now, more than ever, we need events where energetic and inspired people can network for the benefit of travellers.
Tell us a bit about your much-anticipated session at BTTS
Everything politically, economically and operationally is so fluid that I aim to give the latest snapshot to the audience. But of course, the fundamental remains the same … focus constantly on your customers and what they want and need. If you’re not having great ideas and insights in the car, in the office and in the bath, then you literally need to get out more: to experience what Britain and Ireland have to offer, to see what good practice looks like, and to vow to wake up each morning planning to provide outstanding value.
Simon Calder’s in discussion session will take place at 1pm – 1.45 on Thursday 21 in the Keynote Theatre.
British Tourism & Travel Show returns to NEC Birmingham on 20-21 March 2019. To register for a free trade ticket, please visit www.eventdata.uk/Forms/Form.aspx?FormRef=BTT39Visitor .