‘Hunker down’: UK travel firms brace as fresh storm clouds gather

Higher interest rates and a weak pound are now hiking up costs, with consumers expected to cut back on holidays, says the industry. Photograph: Marco Garcia/AP

Liberated from pandemic restrictions, travel firms finally looked through the worst. Yet as industry leaders jetted in for a “survivor’s celebration” in Marrakech this week, fresh storm clouds were gathering.

With their customers facing the biggest cost of living crisis in a generation, two articles of faith are sustaining the UK travel industry. One, a holiday remains sacrosanct. And two, no economic turmoil can be as bad as Covid-19.