I’m sure you’re familiar with the quote, “April is the cruelest month.” Well, I have to disagree. When I lived on the East Coast, I found March to be more depressing. That was when all the weeks of snow, leafless trees and short, sunless days, finally got to me. Inevitably, I looked for any excuse to get away to someplace warm during March.
While we are seeing the negative effects of this unprecedented year of bad weather on the stock market and other industries, the travel industry may actually see a boom as a result of the storms. It would be reasonable to assume that the hard winter affecting much of the country (as I write this it’s even snowing in Alabama) will mean that a lot of people are going to be ready for a getaway come March.
This desire to travel will also coincide with one of the best winters in years for many ski resorts. It seems like every day we receive press releases announcing that Utah/Colorado/fill in the blank is having a record year for snowfall. If ever there was a year for skiers to hit the slopes, this is it.
For travel agents, all of this is good news. I hope that agents are working their databases now to check in on past clients. Even taking a quick break — possibly visiting one of the Loews city hotels mentioned in this issue’s cover story, “Urban Renewal” — can help a client reenergize until spring.
Of course, clients who decide to tough out the winter by staying put can probably use the glimmer of hope that summer travel planning can offer as well. So go ahead and remind them that — though it might be hard to believe now — summer will be here before they know it.
I also want to remind readers that our annual Trendsetter contest is officially open for entries. The award is meant to acknowledge top agents for their achievements in a variety of categories with travel prizes, a shout out at our WAVE Awards dinner and a write-up in the pages of TravelAge West. Visit TravelAgeWest.com/Trendsetters, for more information.
