Richard Turen
"Begin doing what you want to do now. We are not living in eternity. We have only this moment, sparkling like a star in our hand and melting like a snowflake." -- Sir Francis Bacon
As we have now passed into 2024, I would like to direct a few comments and observations to the newest among us; those who, without fear or trepidation, have entered our profession.
To all the new ICs and independents of every stripe, and to all those who work under the comforting umbrella of a caring host, I wish you a warm, wonderful and entirely successful new year.
You have, fortunately, chosen a time to enter our industry when things could not possibly be better. The outlook is all roses and sunshine as this year begins.
Well, that is with the exception of a few possible wrinkles.
You will be selling travel at a time when Europe's second-largest country is in a war for its very survival; a war it might lose. There are more long-distance nuclear delivery systems, but they are in the hands of countries like North Korea -- so no worries there!
Then there is the Middle East. You might remember what the philosopher George Santayana once wrote: "The Middle East is where civilization began -- and it is the likely place where it will end."
In Asia, some U.S. State Department experts are predicting that the Taiwan issue and China's claim to the territory is the most potentially serious threat we face.
For stability and comfort and potentially "always safe" travel destinations, we can always turn inward to our own country. Of course, out-of-control forest fires and floods are now seasonal realities, as is at times unbearable summer heat.
You will need to be a bit of a criminologist in selecting places and specific neighborhoods for your guests. It really doesn't matter if a hotel is five-star inside its walls; what matters is what is just outside its doors.
So you will "independently" be dealing with just a few of these issues in the new year.
You will need to teach your clients to adapt to change. We have serious shortages of air traffic controllers and pilots. Airlines are changing equipment and seating assignments at rates never before seen. But I know you will manage to always keep your clients calm in the skies.
Speaking of calm, I want to thank you for your willingness to inherit a travel landscape that your elders have bequeathed you. You must now be a climate scientist to arrange travel properly. You see, in just a few years we have managed to turn the peak summer season in Europe into the worst kind of offseason. October is the new August. But I know you will adjust to that.
Some may consider my welcome a tad negative. But please know I am truly grateful that you have decided to join us, despite the occasional glitches we have created.
Let's look at the positive side. You are beginning the practice of travel advising in a special year -- the year of our national election. Surely that gives you a sense of real optimism! And if it doesn't, then just imagine the impact this election year will have on the percentage of Americans who want to just turn it all off and get away for a few weeks. That is when you will shine. Of course, they will only want to travel with members of their own "tribe." But you will figure that all out.
Speak to your travel elders. They will tell you that history has proven that the more they throw at us, the more we thrive. Someday soon, you will be sharing that truth with your own ICs.