The year is ending with the expected mix of ups and downs, with some nice ups for travel. We don't remember specifically what we wished for a year ago, but we are cheered by the fantasy that the list below is maybe just what we were wishing for -- and got:
- We would like for ARC to rewrite its clunky Agent Reporting Agreement.
- We want to see the Cuba travel market open up just a bit.
- We want to see the return of Mississippi River cruises.
- We wish the Transportation Department would postpone its plan to require travel agents to disclose their override arrangements.
- We'd like to see Congress, which is deadlocked on so many big issues, tackle a few small projects, such as legislation to blunt the impact of the E.U. emissions trading scheme on U.S. airlines.
- We want to see a little less volatility in fuel prices.
- We wish the cruise industry would recover enough from the impact of the Concordia disaster that the Big Three would confidently place some new ship orders.
- We want to see some results from ASTA's efforts to reach out to young travel professionals.
- We wish some low-fare carrier, like Allegiant, would start low-fare service to Hawaii and broaden the market a bit.
- We wish that Virgin Atlantic would finally find a partner with feed traffic.
- We want to see the Obama administration make some meaningful gesture of support for the travel industry, like developing a travel and tourism policy or something along those lines.
- We'd like to see Mexico have a record year in tourism arrivals.
- We wish Amtrak could spiff up some of its routes in the Midwest and go faster than the current 79 mph speed limit.
- We'd like to see some big holdouts, like mortar-bound Liberty Travel, embrace the online dimension.
- We want an end to Hertz's interminable pursuit of Dollar Thrifty.
- We want to get Taiwan into the Visa Waiver Program.
And as a final holiday wish, may everyone in travel grow to appreciate where we are and how far we have come, even as we dream of moving on.