Judging from ALL the fan mail I’ve received since my last newsletter (you two know who you are!), many of you have been wondering what happened to my inspiring little blog. The truth is two things: 1. I’ve had a pretty busy first quarter despite this all-consuming pandemic, and 2. you try keeping up a weekly travel blog that is fun and exciting and relevant! Of course, I’m kidding. For those who may not have realized the degree to which I’m connected with travel and tourism, over the last few months, I’ve been working with a small travel and tourism consultancy that partners with destinations to identify and leverage their competitive advantage (#plug). Right down my alley, right? Well, if it was busy. Now, it’s really busy.
But before I continue, allow me to pause and send my heartfelt love to you and your families. I hope you’ve been keeping safe. At this point, I think it’s fair to say we’ve never experienced anything like this, and the repercussions are such that our world will never be the same. To put it in context, for those of you who were around to remember the Sep 11 terror attacks and how it changed our way of life and travel, COVID-19 will be like ten Sep 11s in terms of its impact on our daily lives.
I have not written since COVID-19 has sprung upon us. While part of me was angry and leaving me wanting to kick its ass (ok, it’s off my chest now), the other part wanted to shrivel up in a corner to wait it out until we could hit those beaches, families, restaurants, mountains, sites, friends, bars, cultures, adventures (or even just the other side of the street for some) again. Some of you may be wondering well, why now?
My response:
1
HERE’S TO DREAMING KID
Some of you may think – why would these destinations spend so much money creating these, honest-to-goodness amazing videos if we can’t travel now. The truth is it’s to keep the dream alive (and yes, maybe a bit to show their leaders that they’re working hard for recovery). Here are some of my favorite created by people we work with that just down right give me goosebumps. Word of warning: these WILL make you want to travel. But don’t. Stay home until we’re ready:
South Africa: Watched it for the seventeenth time – oh that accent…there’s a part I didn’t even understand but yeah, I’m dreaming.
Kingston, Ontario: Oh, Canada…oh wait, that’s the national anthem.
Switzerland: Inspire me you did!
And if that touched your soul, here are a whole bunch more worth checking.
Keep dreaming.
2
SEE YOU LATER?
For those of you who may be in the know, Skift is the travel and tourism’s most influential source for news and updates on the industry. Rafat, the founder and close friend, penned an op-ed that was a little sad to read at first, but when you let it sit with you a bit you realize how powerful his message is. Here’s a quote from his letter entitled The Day the World Stopped Traveling: A Letter from Skift’s Founder: “Our value will be even more apparent in the recovery phase. I have said in the past that travel is the most progressive expression of human curiosity, and I have zero doubt that the sector will recover and the world will bounce back to traveling, even if it takes a while to get back up and return to pre-coronavirus traveler numbers.”
Here’s another one of his quotes from a few days later – just imagine the possibilities: “Now more than ever, the travel industry needs to rethink, re-envision, and redesign what the future will look like.” We’re working on this.
3
EXTREME SOCIAL SECLUSION
I was supposed to be in Egypt for my little sister’s wedding as you read this (for those who don’t know, my little sister is a woman I grew up watching over when our parents would go out to have fun. Our paths have continued to bring us together from Egypt to Cyprus to New York City. My real little sister is married with three boys – it would be a little strange if she were the one getting married in Egypt). Anyhow, back to Egypt. So many things, from Khan El Khalili, Sufi dancing, the Great Pyramids of Giza, the new Museum of Egyptian Antiquities, Marsa Matrouh, Siwa and so much more to visit. But one of the most unique and secluded places I’ve ever been is the White Desert – probably haven’t heard of it, have you: “Within seconds of arriving, questions surrounding its mysterious origins arise as its eerie beauty provides a staunch reminder that our planet is subject to powerful climate changes. It’s completely mind-blowing to believe that this was once a sea or an ocean and that the only evidence remaining is a collection of calcified limestone rocks sculpted over time by sand and wind. These chalky abstract shapes seemingly change their color depending on the time of day, shifting from brilliant white to creamy, then reaching a golden brown.” I always described it as walking into a Salvador Dalí painting.
4
2020 TRAVEL TRENDS (BEFORE COVID OBVIOUSLY)
I wish we could tell what the new travel trends will be, but there is no way I can come up with even one. There is so much uncertainty around this corona thing (I refuse to capitalize that word) that’s impossible to even try to work out what the future will hold. What is fun to read is what people thought the top trends would be for 2020 before all this corona nonsense. I still believe some of these will hold true for 2021, at least? From Forbes: “Ticking a location off your list with a photograph might impress one’s followers but moving through a place too quickly prevents one from truly immersing themselves into the real culture. More and more travelers are opting for slower travel, visiting less destinations and staying put longer. Renting an apartment from a local, visiting the neighborhood markets and learning about daily life from a shop owner or taxi driver are some of the best ways to connect and absorb the essence of a locale.” Guess we’ll have to stick to that ‘gram from our living rooms for now.
5
COUCH TRIPPING
And last, but not least, here’s some travel movie inspiration for this weekend, from CNN: “No, watching “Romancing the Stone” is not the same as going to Cartagena (Colombia has changed a lot since Michael Douglas and Kathleen Turner traipsed through it in the 1984 rom-com).
Nor will tuning into 2001’s “Y Tu Mamá También” make you think you’re actually on a road trip in Mexico and not on your couch in Brooklyn, but great films do have something in common: the power to transport.”
Though not really a movie, I just recently watched Northface’s documentary on the first ski descent from Lhotse (fourth highest mountain right near Mt. Everest). Done by a couple no less. Pretty inspiring.
What are your favorite travel movies? Drop me a line!
Thanks,
Joe Naaman
Managing Editor, Waywinds
Keep Exploring!