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Thursday, January 1, 2009

A sense of uncertainty as 2009 dawns

Every day the country’s economic news seems to put us into a deeper ditch of despair as the recession now barrels into 2009. Each Tour Pro out there has to be privately concerned about what the New Year will hold as far as opportunities and bookings. But now is not the time to despair - it’s time to get online, read up on current happens, scan job opportunities, and get your name and resume put there for potential suitors - whether for 2009 or beyond.

Wednesday, December 17, 2008

Collette move tips hand on adult market

Rumors of a slowdown in the adult travel market have circulated for months through emails in and out of the mailbox here at USA Tour Pros. But this past week, I have had three well-placed sources confirm a drastic move by Collette Vacations: downsizing of staff and a freeze on hiring.

The timing could not be worse for new Tour Pros coming into the market, and those planning on attending the industry Symposium in January. Many new Tour Pros plan to break into the adult tour market without having to spend any time on the student tours. However, with Collette contacting their 2008 hires and telling them they are essentially laid-off, getting into the adult market will be tougher.

Wednesday, December 10, 2008

An International Reaction of Relief, and Questions

Most trainers of Tour Directors/Guides will warn you not to discuss, sex, politics and religion on the motorcoach. Great advice, in most cases. Since most of us are off the motorcaoch (at least until January), I wanted to share my experience regarding discussions about our recent election while traveling overseas.

Sunday, October 26, 2008

Tipping the scales on this economy

Amidst this financial crisis across the country, the no-brainer response to the “how are your tips on tour?” question I am asked by many Tour Pros is supposed to be something like, “Well, we’re all feeling the pinch, how do you think the tips are?”

However, an analysis of my 2008 tour gratuities suggests the exact opposite is actually the truth.

Really.

And, I may have the surprising but simple answer as to why this is the case.

Let me explain.

Friday, October 3, 2008

Playing with fire (alarms)

There are certain things in life that you pray to have occur as a child in school and pray to avoid as an adult, especially when you’re a Tour Professional on the road.

1. Getting sick enough to remove yourself from the day’s activities
2. Pizza for lunch
3. Fire alarms

As I wind down my fifth full season on the road, I knew a hotel fire alarm was bound to happen to me at some point. And, let’s face it, there is never a good time to have a fire alarm ring during a tour. When ranking “worst times” on the “What’s the Best Time to Have a Fire Alarm” list, just after “waking your passengers at an ungodly hour,” the second-worst time has to be “just after your passengers sit down to dinner.”

On my last tour it was 6:30 PM, and we were staying on Stratton Mountain, Vermont. I was helping my driver finish up the cleaning of our coach at day’s end, something I like to do to unwind from our being “on” with our passengers while also spending some quality time getting to know my driver a bit better. After hearing some commotion outside the coach, we noticed a large crowd forming just outside the main door to the hotel. Although perplexed at first, we soon heard the incessant ringing of the hotel’s fire alarm. Things quickly moved from bad to worse.

Thursday, September 11, 2008

Remembering the forgotten

I try not to get on my soap box while on tour, I really do try. But this sunny morning in Bethesda, Maryland, as we prepared to leave at 7 a.m. for a day of tours in Williamsburg and Jamestown, Virginia, I found it hard not to remember the events of 9/11/01. How could anyone forget the news from Pennsylvania, New York City, and Washington, DC? A nation, gripped in fear, watched the TV non-stop as the reports grew increasingly dire. First shock. Then horror. Then disbelief. And then, for most, anger.

“We’ll never forget!”

Well guess what America?

You forgot.

Monday, September 1, 2008

Sleeping* with the President**

Being political on tour is never a great idea, and probably never even a good idea. But, inevitably, Tour Professionals will encounter moments when discussing politics becomes unavoidable. Take, for instance, August 26, 2008. The Democratic National Convention was in full swing and Hilary Clinton was set to make a well-publicized speech at the gathering in Denver. And my group and I, well we were set to make a visit to the Yellowstone County Museum in Billings, Montana. From all reports, our event wasn’t quite as well publicized as Mrs. Clinton’s.

The Yellowstone County Museum is situated in a very odd location in the “Magic City” of Billings: high above the west part of town on the majestic, yellow rim rocks, directly across from the airport. And upon our approach to it we were face-to-face with the “wings of change.”