A tariff on wine was imposed on imports from several European countries by former President Trump which is affecting the bottom line for tourism and travel-related industries. Taxes on products we love and want are never popular. When it comes to increasing wine prices because of wine taxation, we are likely to become livid. Perhaps […]
Caribbean: Flaws in Paradise
“If you reject the food, ignore the customs, fear the religion, and avoid the people, you might better stay home.” – James Michener Reality is Harsh There are at least two sides to the Caribbean tourism industry: the side travelers experience as they transit from airports in air-conditioned vans and limos to their hotels, and the locals’ […]
Ignorance, COVID-19 and Tourism
It is convenient to claim that the tourism industry has been brought to its knees because of COVID-19; however, the blame would be misplaced. The broader picture includes a confluence of culture, politics, science, and geography joined together by incompetent leadership resulting in the elimination of millions of jobs, billions in lost revenue, and a future that is […]
Tourism Impasse: Cannot Stop or Go
The hotel, travel and tourism industry contributed to the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic, most notably cruise lines and airlines; however large their role, these enterprises cannot be held accountable for its origin or for the irresponsible approach of governments and global health agencies to the identification, mitigation, control, and elimination of the virus. First Hide, […]
Governments Stick It to Hotel, Travel and Tourism Industries
The hotel, travel and tourism industries have been hammered by COVID-19. As strategic partners in the tourism paradigm, hotel executives have seen investments in this sector decline by 59 percent in the first half of 2020. McKinsey research suggests that the all industry segments will not see a recovery to pre-COVID-19 levels until 2023 or later. […]
Does Crime Take a Holiday?
Watching more TV news than ever? Thinking the country is overrun with bad guys looting and destroying storefronts? Thanks to the current elected officials… you know them, they occupy buildings and residents paid for with tax dollars and are totally clueless on how to contain COVID-19 while maintaining full employment – we have large amounts of unscheduled […]
Sea Sick: Is Cruising Still a Happy Business?
The cruise industry before COVID-19 generated $134 billion in travel and tourism revenue prompting the Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) to paint a rosy future. This was before COVID-19. Before COVID-19, almost 351 million posts with the tag #travel on Instagram were generated by happy voyagers. Passengers supported the wellness programs including oxygen bars, healthy […]
Hotels and Travel Reimagined. Better? Perhaps. Certainly Different!
“You never want a serious crisis to go to waste” Rahm Emanuel (American politician: adviser to U.S. President Bill Clinton; U.S. President Barack Obama, and former Mayor of Chicago). If not better, hotels and travel reimagined are easily different. Not Same Same Dr. Eran Avraham, left, and Dr. Izaak Cohen from Bar-Ilan University walk through […]
Donald Trump: How do I make him go away?
It is almost 4 years since The Donald left Manhattan and took up residency in Washington, DC. As a New Yorker and real estate developer, he had no influence on my life. I have to admit that I did use his real estate escapades as examples of tycoon-level international business transactions, but- aside from entertaining my college […]
In the Time of President Trump: Recognition of the Decider-in- Chief
It appears, in the short term, that decisions made by the men and women working at the White House have been made in favor of business. The Decider-in-Chief thinks that by encouraging (bribing) businesses to open, people will leave the safety of their homes, and rush to shop at their local department store to purchase – what? […]