Travel Agents React to Tragedy in Paris

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Travel agents and agency groups reacted with horror and empathy to the gruesome terrorist attacks in Paris that claimed the lives of 129 people.

"It isn't close to home . . . but it is," said Sandy Anderson, owner of Coon Rapids, Minnesota-based Riverdale Travel, in a paradoxical comment meant to illustrate the conviction that acts of terrorism affect all of us regardless of where they occur.

That sentiment was echoed by Virtuoso Chairman and CEO Matthew Upchurch who said, "Ever since the tragedy of 9/11 our world changed, and the idea that things happen 'over there' was gone forever."

"Our hearts mourn for the victims of the Paris attacks, and our thoughts and prayers are with her citizens and our Virtuoso family there," Upchurch added. "It's also intensely personal as I was just in Paris visiting my daughter on Wednesday. She's lived in Paris for two years, and attends the Sorbonne."

At Ensemble, Co-President Libbie Rice, said, "Our hearts go out to the people who live in France and in other countries that have been tragically impacted by the recent violence. It is our sincere hope that these areas recover swiftly, strongly, and safely, and that the thousands of people employed in the travel industry in those affected regions can continue to earn a stable livelihood."

Rice said Ensemble has been in communication with its travel partners and, "know they have worked diligently to ensure that all of our members' clients are safe and accounted for."

Anderson-like other agents across the country-said it's too early to determine the effect this latest incident will have on what has been a booming market in Americans traveling to Europe.

However, she reported receiving cancellations this morning of two trips booked to France: one for parents who planned to meet their child-who is studying in Italy-in Paris, and another for clients planning a winter FIT to France. The latter are still planning to travel but are postponing the trip.

At Viking Travel Service in Westmont, Illinois, President Peg Haskins said clients booked on a European river cruise canceled their trip this morning.

But Haskins also received an email from a couple scheduled to leave for Paris this weekend saying "We feel like we are supporting the people of Paris by going ahead with our plans."

And one of Haskins' agents reported that clients of hers who were in Paris this past weekend texted that they were fine and, "they had a wonderful time and weren't going to let this spoil anything." The couple was on their way to London as planned.

Europe specialist Murielle Blanchard of Black Pearl Luxury Services in Salt Lake City, said she has a lot of business booked to France for this spring and hasn't had any cancellations.

"I've been receiving many emails from clients but they are not canceling; they are sharing their sorrow," she said.

A native of Paris with family in France, Blanchard said her nephew in Paris lost friends in the shootings at the Bataclan concert hall.

"It's horrific and it's scary but by the same token, I think it's safe to go to Paris," Blanchard said, noting the increased level of security in the French capital.

Rudi Steele, president of Dallas, Texas-based Rudi Steele Travel, was in Paris last Friday when American Airlines canceled his flight from Charles De Gaulle Airport to Dallas Ft. Worth scheduled for Saturday morning.

Steele took a limousine from his hotel to Charles De Gaulle on Saturday morning. He said traffic was very light, there were no road blocks and all was normal at the airport. He flew to London Heathrow and caught a flight there back to DFW.

"We have not had any cancellations as we consult with clients, assuring them that with some caution all is well," said Steele. "If someone asks "am I safe?," the answer is how safe are you at home?

"I would definitely send clients to Paris and France," he added. "If we show ISIS that they can get us down then it will make things even worse. Let's continue with daily life and show them that we are the stronger.

"Our friends in France will appreciate that we visit them now as we have done in the past," Steele said.

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