G Adventures' Bruce Poon Tip has the ear of the under-30 traveler, and for that reason, the industry should take note of what he is saying ["The world changer," Sept. 23]. Companies that speak to values of corporate giving and sustainability will have relevance to young travelers, who are not users of travel agents at this point.
The number of agents continues to decrease despite the growth of travel, which is set to become the world's largest industry. That is distressing because of the positive influences that we know travel can provide, and that websites cannot convey. Poon Tip notes that at G Adventures "most of our customers are travel agents," meaning they were effectively getting and delivering the message to their clients.
If a fresh voice in travel blurs the lines between the tradition-bound old school and the innovative new economy, and profit vs. nonprofit, I say bravo.
Mark Southgate, branch president
Tzell Travel
New York
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