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
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