How about some extra positivity this week?

Go ahead, pat yourself on the back. I'll tell you why.

Over the last few years, more people have probably come to appreciate the importance of travel and tourism as an important sector of the global economy. 

Before the onslaught of the pandemic and its obvious effects on travel and tourism, this sector's contribution to the global economy was significant. 

According to the annual statistics published by the World Travel and Tourism Council, T&T directly or indirectly accounted for 1 in 5 new jobs created across the world during 2014-2019, as well as 10.3% of all jobs (334 million) and 10.4% of global GDP (US$ 10 trillion) in 2019. That's pretty staggering.

Did you know that international travelers spend more in the United States than any other country? Our own economy benefits not only from your using services like mine, but both inbound international tourism and domestic tourism are also important pieces of this puzzle.

It didn't take much imagination to realize that when travel had ground to a halt, all of the jobs and workers that depend on the ability and willingness of other people to travel were devastated. No one had any clue how long it would take to see “normal” again. Weeks? Months? Years?

By the end of last year, the recovery across the industry worldwide was inconsistent but advancing. In 2022, T&T represented almost 8% of global GDP. Halfway through 2023, we are getting closer to 2019 levels by many measures--even exceeding them in some specific cases. 

An estimated 235 million tourists travelled internationally in the first three months of 2023. That’s still not quite up to 2019, but it’s more than double the number from the same period in 2022. Overall international arrivals (travelers entering countries other than their own) reached 80% of those in 2019, with Asia somewhat lagging due to some major destinations having had stricter entry controls for longer periods.

All of this is thanks to YOU.

YOU are the traveling public.

YOU have helped renew an industry.

YOU have helped individuals and communities all over the world regain some economic stability.

And thanks to YOU, Mon Voyage is thriving again. So are many small businesses, entrepreneurs, and self-employed fathers and mothers in other places who work arm in arm with me to offer you a wonderful time away from home. 

No one knows how long this wave will last, but all of us in travel and tourism appreciate all of YOU who engage us in planning, executing, and supporting your travel experiences in destinations near and far.

So thanks again for going and doing!

Speaking of going and doing...these are going (away) soon. If you want to DO them, reach out now.

I decided to wait until after the July 4th holiday week to close booking for Luxe Loire and Brilliant Bordeaux. So you've got a few more days to snap up a room (till Wednesday, July 12th, then it's au revoir to the three remaining). This will be such a swell trip, especially for the oenophiles, francophiles, gourmets and gourmands among you.  

First we will enjoy some deluxe digs and enticing experiences in the Loire Valley.  The chateaux! The wine! The je ne sais quoi! Then we've got some special exclusive extras planned for our group on the elegant S.S. Bon Voyage as we sail through Bordeaux--with our own private sommelier, no less. And before the trip, I'm even going to offer a little Zoom French class for those who may not (yet) be francophones. How fun is that!?

As for the delightful Danube, remember that the $1500 AmaWaterways discount has been extended through July 21st. And again for my wine lovers, we have an exciting mini-tour of the wine country of Western Hungary available as a post-cruise addition. 

Did you know that Hungary has a highly-regarded wine industry? We just don't see the products over here because they consume almost all of their own great wine in the home country. We will stay in the heart of the scenic Balaton wine region, either in an art-inspired boutique hotel or possibly in exclusive accommodations at Hungary's premier sparkling wine maker. This is not to be missed! 

There is also an art and culture-focused pre-cruise package available for Vienna, with optional performance tickets for many of the historic venues of the city. 

Booking for this trip will close August 15th, but why would you want to miss out on saving that $1500 this month?

2024 Small Group Trips are off and running (and we mean running)!

Vietnam and Cambodia in January? Sold out.

Amsterdam in March? Four places sold but we have a minimum of six. I will keep this trip open until August 15th or until it sells out. This will be a rich and varied City Break in a classic destination. So if you've been thinking about this one, I invite you to contact me with any questions you may have and then to secure your room.

And Istanbul in May? Well, if you had asked to be on the first dibs and sneak peek list, you'd probably already have your spot for this exciting addition to the schedule. This trip can accommodate a maximum of thirteen guests--literally--that's all I can seat in the minibus. NINE of those seats have already been sold this past week to the clients who had requested inclusion in the pre-sale announcement. Who will be the last few lucky clients for our City Break at The Crossroads of the World...The Pearl of the Bosphorus...truly a city like no other? I may need to rely on the time stamps of your emails!

About that January 2025 trip to Colombia...

Unfortunately, the AmaMelodia is experiencing some construction delays and will not be ready for us in time. Fortunately, we had not yet marketed this trip nor booked any guests. We will be rescheduling this one soon, and it may need to be for the winter of 2025/26.

In the meantime, let's consider other destinations for that same late 2024-early 2025 time frame. If you'd love to go on a trip at that time, consider this a head start on the survey that I normally send out in January.

Check out our ideas--or add one of your own--at this two-question survey here. 

If you are thinking of private travel for next year, my book is already filling up--do reach out soon to get on my schedule for 2024. 

Keep on trucking--and traveling! 

A la prochaine,