A Problem We All Must Solve

The anger our nation is experiencing in this moment of grief over the death of George Floyd is compounded by the incredible impact of the coronavirus pandemic. There is simply no question: our country has a considerable amount of healing to do.

Travel’s ability to lift up Americans of all backgrounds is a source of pride; our industry is powered by and serves people from all walks of life. One of the highest ideals of our country and our industry is that every one of us should have the chance to prosper. As an industry, we must use our collective voice to advocate for equality, both in travel and beyond. We can all contribute to addressing systemic racism and injustice in America.

In the coming days and weeks, our country will continue to be tested. We must look inward and examine our own thoughts and motives; we need to listen, to educate ourselves, to engage in conversations. We need to use this moment to learn from each other and exercise greater compassion.

Travel opens our minds to other cultures, pushes us from our comfort zones, and leads us to confront our own prejudices and biases. We have a long way to go, but it is the nature of those of us in the travel industry to believe in the inherent beauty of our country and our culture.

Together, it is my hope that we can move toward a vision of a society that respects the dignity and humanity of all.