So what are your predictions for 2009

[Whitey]

I stumbled on a fascinating set of interviews on this site lauding predictions for 2009 for the UK travel industry with the internet and technology a key focus :

Ahead of what some believe will be one of the toughest years in the travel sector for at least a decade, ... a cross-section of executives and commentators [ were asked ] for their predictions for 2009.

Here for the first time senior executives and bloggers ... second-guess events which will shape the industry over the course of the next 12 months

[travolution.co.uk...]

How much does this apply to your industry and region, and what are your standout predictions for 2009 ?

[callivert]

Economically, things will pretty much stay the same as they are now, except that things are really bad right now. What will change is that people will figure out just how bad it really is.
Pundits will keep publishing optimistic pieces about how the worst is over.
Inflation will rise due to the bailouts.
Some small countries will find themselves in extremely dire straits and their economies will totally tank.
Europe in general will fare badly.
Pakistan will create huge headaches for America. It will either go to war with India or go to war with itself (the latter being more likely).
Online revenue, like all revenue streams, will be flat.

on the upside:

Oil prices will stay low.
Housing will become affordable once more.
There will be bargains all over the place in all kinds of areas.
People will stop talking about the so-called "Chinese Miracle" as the Chinese economy stalls.

Life will go on pretty much as normal.

[simonuk]

Peak oil, peak food and peak gas are all coming and sooner than most think. Prices will only go one way and it isn't down.

How's that to cheer up your morning? :-)

[Quadrille]

When Tony Blair become UK prime minister in 1997, the theme was "Things Can Only Get Better"

Proof - if proof were needed - that However Bad Things Are, They Can Still Get Worse.