ROBIN TAUCK: IN CONVERSATION ON THE FUTURE OF TRAVEL – Episode 8

ROBIN TAUCK: IN CONVERSATION ON THE FUTURE OF TRAVEL – Episode 8

Feeling grateful. What an honor! Reflecting on a remarkable 70-year career in travel and tourism, my father, Arthur Tauck of Tauck joins me ‘IN CONVERSATION’ on the importance of Building Forward Better.

In the season of Gratitude and Giving, thank you to Arthur for shining a bright light on optimism, gratitude, perseverance and resilience, and for reminding us all the importance of Tourism Cares uniting this great industry through the Generations.

As we look to the future, with Tourism Cares celebrating 20 Years and USTOA its 50th Anniversary, the pioneers that started us on this path, my generation, and generations to come, are all committed to bring about positive global social, cultural, and environmental impact.

Thank you for your words of wisdom and support, Dad – to all of us.
 

With Love,

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ROBIN TAUCK: IN CONVERSATION ON THE FUTURE OF TRAVEL (Episode 7)

ROBIN TAUCK: IN CONVERSATION ON THE FUTURE OF TRAVEL (Episode 7)

As we enter the Giving Season, it is so important that we ask ourselves: where, and for whom, will my giving have the greatest impact?

For the seventh episode of my In Conversation Leadership Series, I ‘sat down’ with Dan Sullivan, CEO at Collette Vacations and Derek Hydon, President at MaCher to discuss why, as philanthropists, they and their companies choose to donate to Tourism Cares.

I personally found their answers very inspiring and thoughtful, which led me to think about my own giving and reflect on the importance it gives to my own life.

Please enjoy the episode and consider making Tourism Cares your reason to give this season. Donations can be made here

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ROBIN TAUCK: IN CONVERSATION ON THE FUTURE OF TRAVEL (Episode 6)

ROBIN TAUCK: IN CONVERSATION ON THE FUTURE OF TRAVEL (Episode 6)

When I first got involved with sustainability and the need for us all to step forward to protect our fragile world, it wasn’t a trending theme at conferences or a best-selling tour for travellers. Even now, with a permanent place in the headlines and an increased spotlight on sustainability, the definition of what sustainability means can be translated 100 ways by 100 people. 
 
If we can’t agree on what sustainability is, how can we make real, meaningful changes for the better?  Metrics and measurement are key. 
 
In my latest episode of the ROBIN TAUCK: IN CONVERSATION Leadership series, I am joined by friend and sustainability advocate Randy Durband, CEO of the Global Sustainable Tourism Council.
 
We speak about the GSTC’s global standards for sustainable travel and tourism and the difficulties sub-sectors of travel and tourism face to implement changes.

Join us in conversation as we measure our impact and build forward better – with purpose. 

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ROBIN TAUCK: IN CONVERSATION ON THE FUTURE OF TRAVEL (Episode 5)

ROBIN TAUCK: IN CONVERSATION ON THE FUTURE OF TRAVEL (Episode 5)

Sustainability in travel, protecting the people and places we love, has been important to me personally and professionally since before the Millenium. For the fifth episode of my ROBIN TAUCK: IN CONVERSATION Leadership series, I am joined by another passionate voice and sustainability changemaker – Jessica Upchurch, the Vice-Chair & Sustainability Strategist at Virtuoso.

How can one person make a difference in their travels? The simple answer? One choice at a time. However, as the global climate crisis continues, we must find ways to institutionalise the protection of destinations, people, and the environment into the very core of our industry.

Enjoy my conversation with Jessica Upchurch, and join us in exploring new ways to build forward better towards a safer, fairer, and more cared for world.

You may also enjoy reading Virtuoso’s newly released White Paper:  Conscious Comeback: Influencing a Sustainable and Regenerative  Future for the Travel & Tourism Industry 

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ROBIN TAUCK: IN CONVERSATION ON THE FUTURE OF TRAVEL (EPISODE 4)

ROBIN TAUCK: IN CONVERSATION ON THE FUTURE OF TRAVEL (EPISODE 4)

This year’s World Tourism Day 2021 has been designated by the UNWTO as the day to focus on “Tourism for Inclusive Growth” – a theme that is, I am sure, very important to all of us in the global Travel & Tourism community. Protecting the communities we visit takes our active participation. As an industry, working closely with local organizations in destinations to invest in their community members and small businesses with tourism dollars is a critical part of strong recovery. As travelers, remembering that we are guests in someone else’s home, and that our travel decisions have a measurable impact. 
 
For this year’s World Tourism Day, I am joined by the Special Advisor to the Secretary General of the UNWTO, and fellow Tourism Cares Board Member, Anita Mendiratta. Join us as we discuss this year’s theme, and why we should have optimism for the industry looking forward, building forward better. 

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ROBIN TAUCK: IN CONVERSATION ON THE FUTURE OF TRAVEL (EPISODE 3)

ROBIN TAUCK: IN CONVERSATION ON THE FUTURE OF TRAVEL (EPISODE 3)

How grateful I am for the chance to speak with ASTA President & CEO, & Tourism Cares Board Member Zane Kerby in my latest ROBIN TAUCK: IN CONVERSATION ON THE FUTURE OF TRAVEL.

Over 150,000 US travel advisors are working tirelessly to build forward better as travel restarts. Hear Zane’s unique perspective on how traveler needs & dreams have changed, & why travel advisors are now critical.

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06880 Podcast with Robin Tauck – Westport, CT

06880 Podcast with Robin Tauck – Westport, CT

The Tauck Family have lived in Westport, Connecticut  – outside of New York City, for over 60 years. The 4-generation company Tauck Inc. was headquartered in Westport from 1971-2000, moving to nearby Wilton.

Dan Woog is Editor of 06880, the “voice” and zip code of Westport, CT for over 30 years. He interviews influential town residents bringing the World to Westport. 

This podcast was taped on July 13, 2021 – my views on history and the future of tourism & travel, cultural preservation, environmental issues and my hometown in CT.

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ROBIN TAUCK: IN CONVERSATION ON THE FUTURE OF TRAVEL (EPISODE 2)

ROBIN TAUCK: IN CONVERSATION ON THE FUTURE OF TRAVEL (EPISODE 2)

For millions of people and places across the globe, the evolving Covid 19 Pandemic has been a monumental challenge. To keep up, the Travel & Tourism Media has played a critical role to keep us informed, inspired and connected.

For my second episode in my ROBIN TAUCK: IN CONVERSATION Leadership series I am honored to welcome two Media leaders and great friends: Travel Weekly’s Arnie Weissmann and Insider Travel Report’s James Shillinglaw.

As Chair of Tourism Cares I speak for the industry in thanking them for all they have done and for their unique perspectives on building forward better to a new future of Travel. 

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ROBIN TAUCK: IN CONVERSATION ON THE FUTURE OF TRAVEL

ROBIN TAUCK: IN CONVERSATION ON THE FUTURE OF TRAVEL

As our world opens to travel, now is the time for leaders to unite around building forward better.

So excited to launch my new series: ROBIN TAUCK: IN CONVERSATION ON THE FUTURE OF TRAVEL featuring leaders I greatly respect and admire as we all step up to rebuild a brighter future.

As Chair of Tourism Cares, I value their unique perspectives on “whats better”, new trends with respect to our shared environment.

Enjoy my conversation with CLIA (Cruise Lines International Association) President and CEO, Kelly Craighead. 

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TRAVEL WORLD UNITES AT MEXICO GLOBAL SUMMIT

TRAVEL WORLD UNITES AT MEXICO GLOBAL SUMMIT

This is uniquely important for travel and tourism around the world. For the first time this year, a high level travel and tourism Global Summit was held with ministers of several G20 nations, whose GDP is driven by tourism. I was honored to speak and join the first “live” WTTC – 20th Global Summit in April, in Cancun, Mexico.  Over 600 leaders joined from governments, key regions and tourism businesses across the world, with over 30,000 people joining virtually online. The theme?  Uniting the World for Tourism Rebound.

The global summit was powerful, and purposeful, for a number of reasons. Firstly, it was a statement that the Public Sector leads Private Sector in this health crisis – we depend on the governments to align, strategize and streamline health mandates.  Secondly, it demonstrated the return of international travel safe events. The ‘new normal’ of protocols and massive Rapid & PCR testing  in Quintana Roo province, were strictly enforced, respectful of continued challenges being faced there and across the world. 

Thirdly, we acknowledged the paradox of developed nations at 40-50% vaccination rates among their citizens in 2021; with developing nations some at <1%.   Also, the Summit clearly put in place not just the pathways to recovery of our industry, but the priorities for steady recovery. The collective call to action / change was loud and clear – everyone present was incredibly inspiring. 

I was honored to be asked by the WTTC to be a part of “The North American Story”  alongside great leaders I admire. I was excited to share very real data – proof of travelers committing to travel in 2021 and beyond. We know that the world is re-opening with travelers around the world being so excited to be able to travel once more. People have missed loved ones, people have missed the joy of traveling of discovery, of visiting favorite places, seeing cultures. This is not simply a hunch regarding pent up demand. At Tauck we see it directly through the forward bookings. You can in the video clip below that we as an industry have every reason to feel confident.

 

As is clear from the video, we are finding that travelers want to travel again; and to all destinations in their hearts.  Our theme is “SMALL IS BIG”.  As much as travelers are respectful of the places they’re visiting, we spoke about how Operators are creating smaller, safer groups and ways of travel.  Interestingly, river cruising especially is growing in strength as river cruises offer a wonderful, safe, controlled opportunity for travel, to explore once more, but in a bubble with smaller groups; fresh air environments.  Small Ship Cruising, Expeditions and River cruises provide outdoor comforts and peace of mind – yet direct exposure to the finest natural settings in the world. Here is more on my perspective on Small Ships –  why it is among the first ways for many people to re-start travelling internationally:

Finally, and most importantly, was a full Summit Day on Sustainability. How will our big industry make a difference to the people and places we visit, and to protect the environment now?    Or will it be too busy trying to build back better, putting sustainability lower on the priority list? 

We heard, over and over, sustainability is top of the list for a number of reasons. Firstly, we know that to build forward better, to rebuild our industry in a way that genuinely protects preserves, promotes and celebrates the world around us, both people in places, for the long run. Leaders stated emphatically, “Sustainability is not an appendix to Strategy.”  For Consumers today, it is not a request, but a demand, an expectation of travelers and travel companies around the world. We have all seen by being grounded in 2020,  the difference that we make to local communities, on supply chains, on artisans, on all of those around us, who desperately need jobs driven by the travel and tourism industry.

Tourism Cares, the not-for-profit that I am very fortunate to be the Chair of, is being turned to and requested to activate our over 20 years of experience and expertise in convening the industry around a common purpose, and proven approaches, to make the greatest impact together!  United we are, as we rebuild our “essential industry” together. Enjoy the video below, which gives my point of view on sustainability as our shared call to action. 

I wish to congratulate the WTTC team and the Government of Quintana Ro for all that they did to activate the 20th WTTC Global Summit. It was an important Summit for all of us as practitioners in this industry, and as travelers ourselves. I personally got incredible response from associates across the globe – Europe, South America, Canada and more.   We have a new world to enter into as global travelers. We must do this carefully, consciously and collectively.  We must and will “Do it Right.”

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