1
WHAT’S THE BIG IDEA?
My friend Greg Klassen’s idea – that’s what the big idea is! I’ve had the pleasure of working with this fella over the last few years, and not only does it turn out that he’s a fellow T-Bird (go T-Birds!) and a phenomenal travel and tourism strategist for destinations all around the world (I mean, literally, all around the world), but, he’s also a great friend. He was recently interviewed by Christina Warner for Thrive Global about his Big Idea – Traveler Social Responsibility: “In tourism terms that’s mostly been reusing your shower towel and its not enough. For tourism to thrive and keep its promise, tourism brands will need appeal to a more refined segment of travelers and hold them to account. This was done recently by the tiny nation of Palau in their Palau Pledge — a legal commitment of sustainability stamped into visitors’ passports.”
Just let me gloat a little more…he also had this quote: “Belarus welcomed only 100K international visitors compared to neighboring tiny Lithuania which had 2 Million and other neighbour Poland with closer to 20 Million. We had a scheduled meeting with the Minister of Tourism to discuss relaxing the visa regime to open up this stunning country to international visitors. The Minister was beyond intimidating…. right out of central casting to audition for the role of Russian General #1. He had, we learned later, played a significant Military role in Afghanistan in the early 1980’s and quite literally had a bullet hole in his head.” Yep, this badass is my friend.
2
VANSTERDAM
Actually, that’s Vancouver+Amsterdam=Vansterdam. It’s a cool city and probably the city that’s closest to Amsterdam in terms of its lax attitude towards, well everything. Also, where my friend Greg from the blurb above is from (well Victoria, Canada, but, close enough). For those outdoor enthusiasts, here’s a look at a damn cool city from a National Geographic perspective: “Nestled amid mountains cascading into Pacific waters and sea lines crashing into cedar forests, Vancouver is a haven for outdoor enthusiasts, seafaring foodies, and cultural connoisseurs alike. This bustling seaport is one of the largest cities in Canada. Established on the unceded territories of the Musqueam, Squamish, Tsleil-Waututh, Tsawwassen, and Katzie First Nations, Vancouver is home to a diverse and energetic populace.” I included that last part because I just wanted you to try and pronounce some of those. Tsleil-Waututh?
3
WHAT GOES UP MUST COME DOWN
Well, if I cover our neighbor to the north, it’s only right for me to also cover our neighbor to the south: Mexico. The more I read about it, the more I’m drawn in. For example, I did not know that Mexico City is really just a combination of a number of smaller towns that eventually grew into each other. That makes for all the unique things to experience in each neighborhood. From Travel+Leisure: “I expected to find moments of enervating chaos and sometimes choking smog. But I was rejuvenated by gracious parks and sublime weather, by crisp autumn mornings and springlike afternoons, by spasms of rain and hail and thunder that gave way, just in time, to marigold sunsets blooming across the horizon. Mexico City, it seems, is able to turn a different face to each and every one of its inhabitants.”
4
NO NORTH AMERICAN COUNTRY LEFT BEHIND
A little something for Canada, a little something for Mexico, and don’t worry, America, here’s a little something for you too. I’ve recently had the pleasure of getting to learn more about Monterey through some potential project opportunities there. Haven’t had a chance to visit yet, but, it has been added as a must-visit place in the good ‘ole US of A – Monterey, CA, an Ocean lover’s delight – another perspective from National Geographic (I spend a lot of time on their site): “If your stomach’s seaworthy, you can even venture offshore into water so chock-full of whales, sharks, seals, squid, sea otters, and seabirds we call it the Blue Serengeti.”
5
THANK YOU, I GUESS?
The Economist recently put out an article about China’s high-spending tourists and the influence that they bring. Or, perhaps it’s the other way around? As a gesture for good relations with China, China is sponsoring a number of events that bring with it more Chinese tourists (in this case to Egypt, strategically part of its One Road One Belt initiative). Neither good nor bad, just another perspective from the mainstream one which we’ve been used to. Interesting to see how travel and tourism can be used as a political tool: “Since 2012 China has been the world’s biggest source of tourists. Chinese travellers racked up nearly 150m trips abroad last year. Their spending—over $250bn in 2017—far outstrips that of their American counterparts (see chart). Chinese officials know these tourists buy influence.”
Thanks,
Joe Naaman
Managing Editor, Waywinds
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