Sandy Dhuyvetter Appointed to Special Advisory Committee at Department of Homeland Security - Secure Borders Open Doors

Seasons greetings from all of us.
Just when we think we have had a week that tops them all, we arrive at the end of yet another week to find that we have really topped them all! From Washington, DC to Las Vegas, TravelTalkMEDIA brings you updates from two important events in the travel industry.

This week I was in DC to formally accept my appointment to the newly formed Secure Borders Open Doors Advisory Committee jointly created by the US State Department and the Department of Homeland Security. This initiative includes experts from the tourism industry, health care, academia, and the private sector who will provide advice and recommendations to the Department of State and DHS on efforts to maintain security while increasing the welcoming nature of those who visit our country. To say there was an impressive mix of carefully selected members on this committee is an understatement. Educators and experts from top universities around the country as well as leaders in the private sector make up this special committee and all share a common goal: creating safe and secure, yet welcoming, entry procedures for the 45 million (and growing) visitors to the United States each year. During the next two years, the eighteen members on the committee will work closely with the State Department and DHS on issues ranging from the design of model ports of entry to the technologies and human interfaces that might possibly be employed to gracefully open welcoming doors to foreign visitors and efficiently bring home US citizens. Read Official US Department of Homeland Security and Department of State Press Release: Click HERE

Joined at the inaugural committee meeting by Secretary Michael Chertoff, we listened firsthand to the challenges and opportunities of creating a welcoming nation while at the same time keeping US borders safe for all. Henrietta Fore, Under Secretary for Management at the Department of State, spoke eloquently about these issues on behalf of Secretary Rice who regretfully had last minute schedule changes and could not be present. Most impressive was the support felt by the committee members as many representatives of the different sectors of Homeland Security addressed the committee to share their expertise in subjects including visa issuance procedures, visa waivers, new passport requirements, data tracking, model port design and, in general, all of the many procedures already in place to welcome visitors to the US.

I was also particularly impressed with the enthusiasm exhibited by both State and DHS personnel to become actively involved in TravelTalkMEDIA programming and offering to discuss these issues with us for the benefit of our audiences. TravelTalkMEDIA is pleased to have the opportunity to interview many of these specialists from DHS and DOS on our upcoming radio and TV broadcasts during the next two years. There are some extremely important topics we will be covering. Just how do we move tens of millions of citizens and non-citizens between national borders in a safe, dignified and convenient manner? We are extremely fortunate to be able to tap into America’s brightest on this and many other travel-related issues.

As I was on the East Coast, Patrick rolled into Las Vegas with our TV cameras and crew to cover the 8th annual Luxury Travel Expo at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center. This extremely popular and well-managed event focuses exclusively on high-end, luxury travel and has become one of the premiere travel expos in North America. During the two-day expo, nearly 500 exhibitors representing the crème de la crème of luxury travel products and services were able to meet and work directly with almost 4,000 travel agents on the exhibit hall floor. Workshops and seminars held during the expo provided expert training and insightful guidance for travel agents and industry professionals on how to become more effective and successful in the rapidly expanding luxury and upscale travel market. With more and more “boomers” entering the marketplace having both the time and the disposable income to spend on premium travel experiences and accommodations, the luxury travel market is red hot.

Special thanks to IntraWest’s MonteLago Village at Lake Las Vegas for hosting TravelTalkMEDIA during the Luxury Travel Expo. Now this property truly embodies the concept of luxury accommodations. If you haven’t visited Lake Las Vegas and stayed at the MonteLago, put them high on your list of “must visit” luxury destination experiences.

Our program this coming Sunday is packed with great information including how travelers can ease their guilty consciences about the effect their travel may be having on global warming. Plus, Tara Riordan joins us from Department of Homeland Security and Kathy Kratzer of Forever Resorts will be talking about great vacations for families in natural places, namely the US National Parks! Please join us and for fun, education and a great time celebrating travel.

Also this weekend on Saturday morning, I’ll be on on KUSI Channel 9 TV Good Morning San Diego talking about one of the best gifts of the holiday season: the gift of travel. We’ll also be featuring some special getaways with Pleasant Holidays on the show. If your cable company doesn’t carry KUSI, you can always watch the TV segment at www.TravelTalkRADIO.com later on Saturday afternoon. That’s the power of the Web!

Safe travels and keep in touch.

Sandy Dhuyvetter

Discovering Egypt

From the gracious people to its many wonders of ancient civilization, Egypt offers every traveler something unique. Exploring Egypt's antiquities, beaches, deserts, and sporting opportunities as well as cultural exchanges on Nile River cruises are memories that cannot be duplicated anywhere else. We began our visit by arriving at Cairo International Airport after 15 hours flying time from Los Angeles. Having done many trips of this length, we have learned that one of the best ways to avoid jet lag is to rest well on the flight, eat lightly and avoid alcohol (I know that is not much fun for some, but it truly is worth it once you arrive fresh and clear-headed). Please note, you can find alcoholic beverages in Egypt even though many Egyptians do not drink because of their religious beliefs.And while we are on the subject of religious beliefs, many Egyptians are Moslems. So let's get this fact out in the open right away. As an American, I have been force-fed a diet of fear by the mainstream media regarding the Moslem people. We need to realize that by far, the greatest percentages of Moslems are the kindest and most welcoming of people. They adore their families and work extremely hard to provide a life of peace and co-existence with all cultures and religions. The extremists of any religion or political beliefs are, of course, the ones that get the most attention. The journalistic principle of “if it bleeds it leads” is sadly giving many very good people a raw deal when it comes to understanding their cultures.Our hope is that if we can experience the countries of these precious people with open minds and hearts, we will begin to distinguish the differences between a large number of extremely good people and a small handful of people who wish to hurt others in the name of religion.

While in Egypt, I have never felt safer in any country and I do not travel with guards or any sort of extra security just because we are in the tourism industry. We are here as any normal visitors would be, experiencing the wonders of this ancient yet truly vivacious society. I find that perhaps more than any country I have visited, Egypt and its people are truly happy to have guests in their land and the openness of their children toward visitors is an excellent example of this fact. After all, children learn from their elders. The Egyptians exhibit no rudeness or hostility to strangers, but rather a unique charm of awe and admiration for travelers from abroad. You can rest assured that when you are in Egypt, you will feel the love and the welcome that is given to all from the many nations from around the world who visit this fascinating country each year.From spectacular cruises on the Nile to the Valley of the Kings and the temples in Aswan and Luxor, and from the Great Pyramids to the fabulous resorts in Sharm el Sheikh, Egypt is a land of many wonders.

Please join me on TravelTalkRADIO.com for more info on Egypt and please leave me your comments, remarks and any questions you may have!

Safe travels,

Sandy

Welcome to my blog!

Welcome to Sandy Dhuyvetter's blog. As executive producer and host of a number of travel programs, I am here to assist you find what you need in the travel world. I would also like to to invite you to join me on Sunday mornings for our 2 hour broadcast of TravelTalkRADIO from 9 - 11 am pacific time. Our Web site at: www.traveltalkradio.com also has other information in regards to program times and distribution channels.