Like a lot of writers, I have a list of stories tucked away that I hope to tackle one day. One idea on that list is an article that profiles kids who grew up in the travel industry. Over the years, I’ve met many daughters and sons of hoteliers, travel advisors, tour operators and airline executives who follow in the footsteps of their parents, and the stories they tell about their childhoods are often fascinating.
Maybe part of my interest in this subject is based on “Eloise,” the famous children’s book character who makes New York City’s Plaza Hotel her own personal playground. I have always thought that a childhood spent in a hotel would have been full of adventure. I’ve met a few real-life “Eloises,” and they do tend to have colorful anecdotes.
In our latest cover story, we look at four families with a love of travel that spans generations. There is so much to learn from the stories of these families, but what is clear is that they share not only a passion for travel, but also a desire to help others discover the world. Sometimes their business is rooted in a geographic community; other times, it’s built around a subset of travelers they deeply understand. In each case, though, the motivation begins with the customer — who often becomes part of an extended family.
Research consistently shows that children who explore the world grow up to be more curious, less anxious and more open-minded — all great motivations for more families to take more trips.
I guess it should not surprise me that when a child is exposed to travel at an early age, it becomes a hard habit to break. Research consistently shows that children who explore the world grow up to be more curious, less anxious and more open-minded — all great motivations for more families to take more trips, and perhaps a compelling argument for exposing young people to the business of travel, as well. If travel is about opening minds and building connections, it’s no wonder that for so many families, it becomes both a livelihood and a lasting legacy.
