As I write this, it’s a glorious bright blue day here in our Wilton Woods home office. Spring is upon us! And with each passing day, more and more guests will join us in travels around the globe.
I just returned from Europe where our Tauck team kicked off our 2024 river cruising season in Vienna with Scylla, our close partner for 20 years. We also had the pleasure of spending time with old friends at the Hotel Bristol and Hotel Imperial, as well as with our long-standing family partners at Palais Pallavicini. It was inspirational; the energy and excitement were palpable. Everyone at Tauck and our partners are so eager to welcome our guests back and are working hard to ensure your faith in Tauck is well placed.
Although our rebound from the pandemic exceeded our expectations over the past two years, there were many challenges – ripple effects from the shutdown – such as a recovering airline industry and staffing shortages at hotels and restaurants. And though we must always be prepared and expect the unexpected, Tauck, as well as our partners, have made significant investments and conducted intensive planning for the upcoming travel season. We have never been more prepared.
A few weeks ago, we had our annual Tauck Director Seminar here in Connecticut. More than 500 of us gathered – perhaps the largest such gathering in Tauck’s history – and, as with my experience in Europe, joy and gratitude filled the air. What a spectacular event! We spent that week focused on specific plans about how to better serve you in 2024. There was an amazing shared spirit, a celebratory feeling that we have survived with our values and sense of purpose intact – that we have never been stronger or more eager to help show you the world.
We can’t begin to express our gratitude that you chose us to make your travel dreams a reality. We take that trust very seriously.
I look forward to seeing you on the road in 2024.
Jeremy Palmer, Chief Operating Officer