Bowman’s Travel Brief: The Power of the Travel Industry

The travel industry truly flexed its muscles in multiple ways in the past week.

Not only did people from all over the world come together for all things travel, but some key individuals also played a role in the temporary end of the government shutdown.

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Last Wednesday, January 23, the best of the best in the industry were on display at the 2019 Travvy Awards. A spectacular night honoring those who exceed expectations, the Travvy’s are voted on by travel agents (aka the people who help make travel thrive).

It’s all about showcasing who travel agents and advisors see as the most elite in the industry. You can find the complete list of Travvy winners here.

That same day though, the leaders of the National Air Traffic Controllers Association, the Air Line Pilots Association and the Association of Flight Attendants-CWA released a joint statement, issuing a warning to Congress over the safety of air travel during the government shutdown.

Two days later, the travel world gathered again for the opening of the New York Times Travel Show. And while thousands of people spent time networking and learning more about various destinations around the globe, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) began delaying inbound and outbound flights to multiple airports.

The shutdown was causing shortages in air traffic control staffing at various facilities and something had to be done.

Hours later, President Trump announced a deal to end the shutdown.

Of course, the shortage of air traffic controllers and the decision by the FAA was not the sole reason the shutdown finally ended. There’s so much going on with the politics of it all. However, it’s something that cannot be ignored.

Often overlooked, TSA agents and air traffic controllers are vital to the success of the travel industry. Their voice was heard, and should another shutdown occur in a few weeks, don’t be surprised if more flights get delayed or even canceled. After all, if you were forced to work without pay, wouldn’t you do all you can to try and bring that to an end?

My flight was delayed last Friday because of the move from the FAA and it may just be the only time I have no complaints about a delayed flight because it played a role in ending the shutdown.

Last week saw the power of the travel industry in more ways than one, and it was a beautiful thing to behold.

Get Caught Up

In case you missed it this past week:

As mentioned earlier, the 2019 Travvy Awards named the best of the best in the travel industry, including top destinations, hotels and resorts, cruise lines and tour operators and vacation packagers.

ASTA wrote an open letter asking for the industry to make a big change: call travel agents travel advisors.

Did you know? We’re entering a new golden age of travel.

Some wild videos in the travel world from the past week include a runaway cruise ship hitting bridges, and a tornado slamming into planes at an airport in Turkey.

Travel agencies lifted their boycott against the famous Chichen Itza.

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