I would like to take you back to February 2020, when more than 400 people gathered for our annual Tauck Director seminar. The image shared above was the opening slide of my annual State of the Business address – it speaks to algorithms. An algorithm is a process or set of rules followed by calculations, done with amazing speed. Algorithms are becoming more and more involved in our daily lives. We may not even realize it. Algorithms have been impactful in the travel industry for decades as online travel and hospitality companies seek to target prospects and influence purchase decisions. And more recently, anticipation grows around new developments by ChatGBT and other AI technology. So, I shared this question, “How do you compete?” And the answer is so clear and is right in front of us. And fortunately, it fits Tauck’s DNA to a tee.
The answer is through the hearts and minds of our people. We are humans who care. We anticipate needs. We problem solve. We bring people closer together. We build relationships and an ecosystem of caring people who deliver the experiences you enjoy. Tauck has and will continue to leverage technology, but essential to our ability to thrive as we reach 100 years young in two years, is through our people and our relationships across our industry and around the globe.
I was reminded of this when I concluded a recent voyage along the Douro River in Portugal on March 30th aboard our newest riverboat, the exquisite ms Andorinha. Ironically, it was three years to the day when the ms Andorinha was originally scheduled to be christened. I left Portugal reflecting on how much had occurred during this time – yet also how much things felt the same. This made me smile for which I am grateful. Let me explain.
My wife Kiki and I, along with many members of our Tauck team, were hosting dozens of the largest travel advisors in the nation on this cruise. We all grew so close during this short time together. The spirit onboard was friendly and personal and everyone contributed to the experience, sharing their own lifetime experiences making for a richer, fuller experience for all. As impactful were the local citizens of Portugal we met along the way. The guide in Regua was so proud of his “home” and so knowledgeable and eager to share. A third-generation winemaker – still committed with his…
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