OUR 44TH WEEKLY UPDATE REGARDING THE CORONAVIRUS PANDEMIC, THIS WEEK FEATURING SOME VERY ENCOURAGING AND HOPEFUL NEWS AND STATISTICS, AND ALSO INCLUDING A PROFILE OF STILL ANOTHER ONE OF OUR WHITE STAR STAFF MEMBERS, AND THEN, AS USUAL, SOME VERY TOUCHING AND ENJOYABLE ENTERTAINMENT FOR YOU TO ENJOY
FRIDAY, January 29
FROM CHRIS KRARAS
CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD
“TRAVEL MAKES ONE MODEST, YOU SEE WHAT A TINY PLACE YOU OCCUPY IN THE WORLD!”
Dear Friends:
As always, I hope that you have had a pleasant week wherever you may live in this beautiful country of ours. Some of us have experienced snow, some have experienced sunshine, but most have experienced varying degrees of cold and chilly weather. Being almost done with the first month of the year, we can now look forward to longer days and warmer weather, as the year unfolds.
My message this week is one of much excitement and encouragement. As you know, every week I try to accentuate the positive, but this week we are particularly happy with results and statistics that we have been finding. One of the most encouraging statistics is an article in this week’s New York Times stating that over the last two weeks, the number of new Coronavirus cases in the United States has dropped over 21%. This is an encouraging and exciting statistic. Add to that the fact that vaccines are coming out now at a much faster pace in almost every state in the United States, and we should have so much optimism for the immediate future. We hope we can start pulling ourselves out of this doldrum that has lasted now for almost a full year. Over the last week, since I mentioned that all of us here at White Star Tours were able to get our vaccinations, many of our Group Leaders from all across the United States have emailed, texted, and called us to let us know that they, too, have been able to get their vaccines, or, at very least, have it scheduled in the near future. Many times, in order to get the vaccine, you have to be a little proactive by calling your local hospitals, doctors, and pharmacies to ask them when they will have doses available. However, in most cases, you will find that the vaccines are becoming more and more available. We wish you luck in getting vaccinated if you have not done so already. You may also want to send that message to all your Group Members to inform them to actively seek ways to get the vaccine.
Another reason for encouragement came to light this week when the Travel Industry’s largest National Organization and one of the most highly respected of all Travel Groups, known as the American Bus Association, met virtually and reported some incredibly encouraging statistics. One of the leading experts in the world of travel is the PRESIDENT OF TOURISM ECOMONICS, Adam Sacks. He started out his presentation with a very interesting quote that you might find impactful. The quote he found was from Thomas Fuller, a Historian and Church Man from the 1660’s, believe it or not. Thomas Fuller’s quote was, “It is said that the darkest hour of the night comes just before dawn.” Read that again, and I think you can see where Adam Sacks is going with his talk. We have had a lot of darkness, and it got even darker in the month of December, but, now we see the light at the end of our journey (the dawn that was referenced). His statistics have shown that travel confidence is soaring in the United States with over 70% of all Trip Planners and Group Leaders, just like you, having already put in place their plans for the next six months. He stated that his seminars with hundreds of people from across the country have indicated that the first quarter might be a little slow, but by the second and third quarters, and certainly the fourth quarter, travel will be booming like never before. He also stated that most people who may have traveled abroad in the past, will not be doing so in the next few years. Instead, those people will travel domestically and enjoy the beautiful country of the United States. I think his closing statement was most impactful where he said, “The enduring legacy for this pandemic that we have experienced will be the feeling of gratitude.” In essence, he is saying that people will realize the wonderful world and the wonderful life in which we live, and that now once the darkness is gone, we can start to enjoy and appreciate everything around us.
Additional statistics from Leisure Group Travel, one of the country’s leading group magazines, show us that almost 75% of all Group Leaders have already rebooked or are in the process of rebooking the trips that they had planned for the Year 2020 and now have them firmly entrenched for 2021. Also, almost all have stated that with the vaccine in place, they feel that at least 70% of the people who travel with them will be anxious to get on the road again. These are wonderfully encouraging statistics and I hope they give you a feeling of excitement and anticipation.
As for us here at White Star Tours, we are realizing an almost daily increase in the number of Group Leaders who have called to reaffirm their bookings for 2021. Many of our Group Leaders are calling to book even more trips for 2021. Please note that the special bonus that we offered of an additional $300.00 rebate, for a $500.00 TOTAL rebate, for any new booking that you place with us of three or more nights will be honored until the end of February. So, why not take advantage of this great opportunity for you and your Group?
This Week’s Staff Profile
Lynne Hammerschmidt
It is now time to feature another one of our valued Staff Members of the White Star Tours Family. This week we would like to feature Lynne Hammerschmidt, who has been with us for the last couple years. Lynne plays an extremely critical role in the daily operations of White Star Tours by not only answering many of the numerous telephone calls, but also transferring the calls to the appropriate Travel Consultant. She is also a meticulous transcriber for letters, travel reservations, confirmations, and quotes. Lynne, I might add, also helps edit and produce my Weekly Email Messages to you over these 44 weeks. She has become an endearing and invaluable addition to our Staff, and is beloved by all. Thank you, Lynne, for all that you do.
This week for some entertainment, I thought I would start out with a little humor. There is a place known as the Indian Hills Community Center in Indian Hills, Colorado. I am sharing with you some of the signs that hang out in front of their establishment that are always so clever, humorous and enjoyable. Enjoy reading a few of them by clicking here.
Also, I thought you would enjoy a very inspirational piece from a school in the United States. It centers around a teacher requesting from their students what they think are the Seven Wonders of the World. I think you will be touched and inspired by the answers of one of the young Students by clicking here.
Thank you again for taking the time to read my message to you. As I have said before, I hope that we will have only a few more messages left. Hopefully, we will beat the throws of this terrible pandemic and we will have come out of that darkness into the light of day. Have a wonderful, safe, healthy and warm week!
“ONCE YOU HAVE TRAVELED, THE VOYAGE NEVER ENDS,
BUT, IT IS PLAYED OUT OVER AND OVER AGAIN IN THE
QUIETEST CHAMBERS. THE MIND CAN NEVER BREAK
OFF FROM THE JOURNEY!”