Airlines in crisis. The prospect of war
with Iraq. Resilience in the face of terror. The past 12 months
have been among the most dramatic in the history of the travel
industry.
At the invitation of Travel Weekly, executives representing
diverse segments of the industry gathered in New York on Aug. 22 to
share lunch and reflect on the state of travel in the year
following Sept. 11.
Joining Travel Weekly editor in chief Arnie Weissmann were Hal
Rosenbluth, chairman and CEO of Rosenbluth International; Michelle
Kassner, president, Gogo Worldwide Vacations; and Sam Katz,
chairman and CEO of Cendant's Travel Distribution Division (which
includes Galileo and Wizcom).
Also, Richard Copland, president and CEO of ASTA; Adam Aron,
chairman and CEO of Vail Resorts; Katerina Pavlitova, director USA,
Czech Tourist Authority; Michelle Peluso, senior vice president of
product strategy and distribution, Travelocity; and Rolf Hoehn,
vice president, U.S. Division, Aeromexico.
Phillip Kleweno, president of Princess Cruises, participated via
phone.
Questions composed by Travel Weekly's editors prompted a
strikingly candid, thoughtful and sometimes emotional
discourse.
For full coverage, see:
• Post-Sept.11, a new norm is taking shape
• Travel industry shows signs of resilience
• Airlines still in crisis mode one year later
• Yields pay price for heavy discounting
• Turbulent times force Europe to shift focus
• TW agent poll: Better times are coming