It’s been quite a year – ‘exhausting’ may be the best word to describe it. The heat is on as the world gets hotter – in more ways than one. So, here’s a look at some of what we saw in 2024 and what we can perhaps hope for in 2025.
2024 is the hottest year on record and the consequences are clearly visible. Four catastrophic weather events in Canada this summer caused a combined total of over $7 billion in insured losses, according to initial estimates from Catastrophe Indices and Quantification Inc. And the summer of 2024 now ranks as the most-destructive season in Canadian history for insured losses due to severe weather. July and August, summer eclipsed the worst year on record and has pushed the 2024 year-to-date tally to over $7.7 billion.
Northern South America experienced record drought, causing parts of the Amazon, the world’s largest river system, to dry up. As of November 1, in the US there were 24 confirmed weather/climate disaster events with losses exceeding US $1 billion each. These events included 17 severe storm events, 4 tropical cyclone events, 1 wildfire event, and 2 winter storm events. Overall, these events resulted in the deaths of 418 people and had significant economic effects on the areas impacted. The ice caps are melting and the intrusion of ocean water into freshwater drinking sources, is becoming become obvious and will be seriously problematical.
That was the weather … then this …
Aside from the weather, war rages on in Russia and Ukraine, Civil War in Sudan, Israel and Gaza – and the political climate in Canada, the US and in many other countries s being viewed by many with skepticism, concern and alarm.
Our leaders need to grow up. They need vision, and imagination and new ideas. They need to surround themselves with the brightest minds they can find. We cannot continue to survive globally, with so called leaders who are in it for the power and money and to enrich themselves and their friends. It’s easy to point fingers to the south – but it is happening everywhere. A focus on climate and sustainability is vital and it needs to be immediate.
The Good News
However, for us, in this industry, there are breaks in the clouds. People continue to travel. They want to explore, seek adventure, lie on a beach, be pampered at a spa, relax on a cruise through the Caribbean, or the Med, or, (my favourite) just sail the Atlantic from New York to Southampton or vice versa. People still want Destination Weddings, family get togethers, generational travel, weekend getaways – someone is always ready to head somewhere. That’s very good news.
Nobody does it alone
This has been a good year for Travel Industry Today and for that we are very appreciative. First to our readers, you have been loyal, dedicated and not shy to voice your opinions in praise or criticism. We appreciate both. For our advertisers many of whom have been with us from the very first issue, we thank you for your loyalty, and your advice, we wouldn’t exist without your support.
We thank too, our numerous friends, associates and peers within the industry, it’s always a pleasure to work with, socialize with, and just hang out together.
And finally, on a personal note, my thanks to the team at Travel Industry Today. Both the current team and the writers and staff who have worked with us over the past 17 years. And a particular thank you to my business partner, editor and friend, Mike Baginski. You make it happen every day.