2020 will be remembered as the year that has challenged, defied and disobeyed the human construct of industry and trade, and underscored our need for compassion and connection as we worked tirelessly to support our families, friends, clients and businesses, and adjust to a new normal. I have been a part of the travel industry for more than 20 years, and alive for half a century now, and I can equitably say I thought we had already seen some of the biggest tests of our time. 

In our daily struggles to be better humans, could we ever have imagined a pandemic world where time would – quite literally and impactfully – grind to a halt and stand still, and where, for the greater good, we would be asked to put distance between us and the people and experiences we love? My heartfelt thoughts and prayers go out to all, and particularly those who have been adversely affected by this indiscriminate pandemic.

Perhaps 2020 has also given us the permission to take in the rare, quiet moments, for self-reflection, for gratitude, and has given us all much food for thought. 

If there is a positive that we can take from the devastation, perhaps 2020 has also given us the permission to take in the rare, quiet moments, for self-reflection, for gratitude, and has given us all much food for thought. My family and I are eternally thankful for the frontline workers and those who have been our champions, often behind the scenes. We humbly recognize the teams of care givers and PSW’s, Doctors and Nurses who, even now after so many months, tirelessly and bravely fight for our well-being.

Just one such extraordinary real hero who made every difference for my family during our darkest of times this year was featured in Toronto Life (just days following our beloved Matriarch’s passing), and you can read more about Dr. Ariel Lefkowitz and his irrefutably courageous Covid-19 battle in the article here.

The ever-evolving developments of the Covid-19 global pandemic have also made me especially grateful for my extended family of travellers and guests, my travel advisor partners, and my colleagues of The Travel Corporation (TTC) – for their strength, support, outstanding kindness and graceful comportment in the most challenging of times, and for whose warm and generous spirits have bolstered my faith in knowing that, this too, shall pass.

I am also thankful that, leading up to the hopeful news of viable vaccines, and looking forward again to thoughts of travel, the TTC family have worked indefatigably with governing organizations such as the World Health Organization (WHO) and the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC), to pioneer the leading protocols in the guided holiday space, and quickly set forth to reimagine every step of how our journeys operate, elevating our already stringent best-in-class standards. The efforts have been truly awe-inspiring. Our leading Well-being Protocols ensure that, when the time is right to travel again, our travellers’ welfare and peace of mind will continue to be at the centre of everything we do in our new normal.

What has been done? Our brilliant and innovative TTC Patriarch and Chairman, Mr. Stanley Tollman, established the additional operational resource of our dedicated Well-being Director (WD), expertly trained and versed with the latest health authority and local government guidelines, who will accompany all tours of more than 20 guests in the majority of destinations we explore. The WD will ensure daily adherence to all well-being protocols and always be available to support our guests.

Our action to introduce even smaller group sizes with a maximum of 24 travellers, scheduled small private group takeovers, and our Peace of Mind and Flexibility Promise underline our commitment to absolute traveller confidence and trust when choosing Insight Vacations and Luxury Gold for the next journey. We are at your service.

After spending far too long confined to our homes, Canadians want meaningful experiences

After spending far too long confined to our homes, Canadians want meaningful experiences – conscious of sustainability, personal connection to community, planet, & wildlife, and will seek out trips that align with our values of sustainable tourism. Perhaps my own, most positive inspiration from 2020 came from the creation of our Make Travel Matter Experiences, designed to advance the United Nations Global Sustainable Development Goals, and positively impact and enrich our travellers and the communities we visit. 

We have 19 incredible Make Travel Matter Experiences across 51 trips touching on 11 global goals, from rebuilding a community centre in war-torn parts of Croatia to preserving the ancient art of glassblowing on the Venetian island of Murano, with our commitment to carefully organize dozens more in years to come. Incredible!

For all that we will remember, take with us and appreciate from 2020, it is now time we look forward to the dreams of the year ahead. 2021 will see us begin the recovery, and rebuild on foundations set firmly from new perspectives and priorities. I will wait with anticipation until I may once again connect with the world in-person, and not virtually through a video screen.

It will not be an experience I take for granted.

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