Rod Cuthbert, chairman of multi-model search site, Rome2Rio, does his own kind of crystal ball gazing into 2014 and predicts three events that will shift the needle for travel. 

1. The Eiffel Tower announces that all 2014 tickets have been pre-booked by Chinese and Indian tour groups. Sixty-two other iconic attractions, including Alcatraz, the Vatican Museum, Sydney Harbour Bridgeclimb and the Tower of London follow suit, apologising to “our traditional customer base” and promising to “make space for others” in future years.

2. Ryan Air announces free baggage allowance of 20kg for all passengers on all flights. Chairman O’Leary says, “We’ve spent enough time being nasty, it’s kinda fun being nice.”

3. IATA gives up on NDC, proposes free market model in place of regulations. Spokesperson says “We’re just sick of all this arguing. If people can’t agree on stuff, they should make their own rules. We’re over it.”