Recently updated on January 20th, 2020 at 07:10 pm
The first days of our new year are now unfolding. 2016 – what will it bring us? Where will it take us? How will it treat us? What will it teach us?
And how will we embrace and celebrate it?
The year that was 2015 brought with it new, unprecedented variables. For global travellers, it was a year of great excitement. Emerging destinations opened their doors to new travellers – fascinating countries like Myanmar, a mystical place that I had the privilege of experiencing first-hand. This magnificent country – so rich in heritage, tradition, spirit and sensory delights – was simply awe-inspiring. The warmth of welcome from the people of Myanmar, hearing their stories and understanding their way of living, reiterated to me how powerful a force travel truly is, enabling us to learn, connect and appreciate other cultures and different ways of life.
2015 will also be written into the history books as a year that challenged our sense of comfort with the series of tragic incidents across the globe.
Paris, November 13th, 2015. I happened to be in the city of lights that fateful evening, along with a number of Trafalgar groups. In the immediate aftermath disbelief, shock and grief connected each and every person in the city – adversity drew us together in a common bond, as we grieved together. However, the great spirit of the people of Paris and the rest of the world arose early the following morning. For every single person I saw around me in Paris that morning after – friend, family, stranger, resilience kicked in and out came the strength and determination to continue forward.
Every one of our Trafalgar guests made the decision to continue with their European travels. They explored Paris and beyond, without hesitation. Their appreciation was only strengthened by the shocking events that took place.
Since that time, during which my thoughts have shifted the way I think about travel, a natural occurrence when our worlds are shaken, I have come to realise what I feel to be three truths:
Firstly, it is because of travel that we are best able to learn to understand, appreciate and embrace the differences of others. Through travel we are able to find that even with our differences, it is our values that are the threads connecting us all throughout the world. Hope, love, belonging, safety, purpose – these are the shared bonds that unite us.
Secondly, and for the above reasons, we simply cannot allow fear to change the trajectory of our lives, and the travels that enlighten us. To stop travelling, to fearfully close our doors, will mean to close our minds and hearts. This will only fuel the fire that has been ignited. Risks exist, everywhere, and in so many aspects of our lives. To travel is a freedom that we must celebrate, and protect.
Finally, and a truth that makes me feel such pride, when we speak of Trafalgar as ‘Simply the Best‘, this is not only a reflection of our product and service, it is a reflection of the strength and spirit of our people – our Trafalgar team as well as our guests. Even when facing potential adversity, our guests continued with their planned journeys, realising the importance of seeing and understanding the world through travel experiences. Being the best means being present through all times, living the love of travel with eyes and heart wide open.
Our world’s new reality, the challenges to our sense of peace and certainty of place, is now a part of our lives. I personally won’t be curbing any of my travel plans any time soon, quite the contrary, I look forward to further opening my heart and mind to the adventure of experiencing new cultures, making new friends, and creating new memories in 2016. And, I encourage you to do the same.
Written by Trafalgar CEO Gavin Tollman
Image credits: cover photo of Bagan, Myanmar © iStock / Ikuni. Illustrated world map © iStock / Creative Idea. Paris © iStock / sborisov.