Search Travel Market Report

ALGV
riviera
mainlogo
  • News
  • Tours & Packages
  • Cruise
  • Hotels & Resorts
  • Destinations
  • Retail Strategies
  • Niche & Luxury
  • Well-Being Travel
  • Training
  • Who We Are
    • Anne Marie Moebes
    • Barbara Peterson
    • Brian Israel
    • Daine Taylor
    • Dan McCarthy
    • Denise Caiazzo
    • Jessica Montevago
    • Marilee Crocker
    • Mary Gostelow
    • Paul M. Ruden
    • Steve Gillick
Sponsored By NCL
Sponsored By NCL
globus

Reflecting on 2020: This Year 'Took Us on Some Type of Roller Coaster'

by Devin Perillo Buonanno, Perillo Tours / December 22, 2020
Reflecting on 2020: This Year 'Took Us on Some Type of Roller Coaster'


As 2020 comes to an end, TMR invited a number of travel advisors and suppliers from all over the world to pen their own letter to the industry, reflecting on the year that was and looking to 2021.

It’s something I’ll never forget. It was a gloomy, cold, and rainy Monday in February in Atlanta. It was one of those days where you want to get under the blanket or covers and binge Netflix all day. I was doing a Peninsula Travel Show series in Georgia and the Carolinas. We were just in the midst of gearing up for an extremely busy 2020, just as the rest of the travel industry was doing. Later that evening, we got news that the Coronavirus was rapidly spreading across Italy. The rest was history.

Here at Perillo, there was reason for much optimism heading into 2020. We were on pace for our highest grossing year in over 20 years. Demand for Italian, Hawaiian and Spanish tourism was at an all-time high, and we were in the middle of organizing our 75th anniversary celebrations. Instead, we were catapulted into something nobody saw coming or could have ever imagined. Our 75th anniversary went from a joyous one, to crazy in a matter of hours. As the 4th Generation of Perillo Tours, I never thought I would ever see anything like this in my career, let alone in my lifetime. Though at the same time, I was ultimately fascinated with the craze, even if nobody expected to see anything remotely close to this.

Since 1945 and over the course of our 75 years of existence, Perillo has always celebrated the customers and advisors. If it weren’t for our customers and advisors, we wouldn’t be here- it is plain and simple. That is why as COVID progressed, we made the easy decision of developing policies that allowed customers to receive most of their money they had given us for their trips, in addition to giving a hefty incentive to our gracious clients who stuck with us. Our motto “Chi viaggia con Perillo, viaggia tranquillo” (When you travel with Perillo, travel in tranquility), means much more than physically taking a 5 star Perillo Tour. Traveling with Perillo in tranquility means no gimmicks, no shortcuts, and honesty. There was never a time in our history where our motto meant so much.

These last 9 months have been borderline impossible to get through for every single person on this planet. My heart goes out to all the families who have lost loved ones due to this terrible illness, and entrepreneurs that have lost businesses along the way. However, as cliché as it may sound, these 9 months are going to make us stronger, smarter and more resilient than we have ever been before. Industries across the globe will boom unlike none other, and the desire to travel will be through the roof. 2020 took us on some type of roller coaster, but there is no doubt in my mind that 2021 will be a ride for the ages. I know that everyone in the world, and especially the travel industry, will be ready to hit the ground running.

  8
  0
globus

MOST VIEWED

Brought To You By
  1. U.S. Will Require Negative COVID-19 Tests for All International Visitors
  2. U.S. Congress Reaches Agreement on Stimulus, ASTA Says More Support 'Will Absolutely' Be Needed
  3. Op-ed: Five Travel Predictions for 2021
  4. Reflecting on 2020: ‘Primed’ for Self-Reflection Heading into the New Year
  5. Kauai Reopens to Tourists with New Travel Rules in Place
  6. 8 Travel Trends for 2021, According to MMGY Global

MOST EMAILED

Brought To You By
  1. U.S. Will Require Negative COVID-19 Tests for All International Visitors
  2. Caribbean Destinations, Hotels Work to Meet to New CDC Requirements
  3. Kauai Reopens to Tourists with New Travel Rules in Place
  4. U.S. Congress Reaches Agreement on Stimulus, ASTA Says More Support 'Will Absolutely' Be Needed
  5. ASTA: CDC Testing Requirement ‘Threatens to Create a Logistical Crisis’
  6. What Advisors Need to Know About the Latest COVID-19 Relief Package
Tip of the Day

I think being in contact with [my clients] gave them more confidence in me and the suggestions I offer.

Linda Kinsey, Custom Travel & Cruise

 Share...
Daily Top List
Brought To You By

5 Things Every Travel Agency Should Do To Boost Business

1. Specialize
2. Give a personal touch
3. Find your niche and sell an experience
4. Maintain a high standard of quality
5. Become a salesman…but inspire trust

Source: Azavista.com

 Share...
Previous Daily Top List
globus
Top Stories
G Adventures Brings Back Popular Agent Incentive
G Adventures Brings Back Popular Agent Incentive

The “G-Normous” agent incentive program is back for the eighth consecutive year.

Read...
Pleasant Holidays Expands Zero Change Fee Policy to All Destinations
Pleasant Holidays Expands Zero Change Fee Policy to All Destinations

The tour operator announced the elimination of brand change fees for land vacations to all destinations in their product lines.

Read...
Pleasant Holidays Rolls Out Social Media Marketing Resource for Travel Advisors
Pleasant Holidays Rolls Out Social Media Marketing Resource for Travel Advisors

The free, pre-messaged social media posts provide travel advisors with images and customizable content they can publish on their own channels. 

Read...
The Travel Corporation Launches COVID-19 Insurance Program
The Travel Corporation Launches COVID-19 Insurance Program

The new plans are available for new bookings made on or after Dec. 15, for travel starting on April 1, 2021.

Read...
Reflecting on 2020: New Beginnings and Reconnecting With Cultures in 2021
Reflecting on 2020: New Beginnings and Reconnecting With Cultures in 2021

As 2020 comes to an end, TMR invited a number of travel advisors and suppliers from all over the world to pen their own letter to the industry, reflecting on the year that was and looking to 2021.

Read...
TMR’s Wellness Travel Outlook for 2020-2021 Is Now Available
TMR’s Wellness Travel Outlook for 2020-2021 Is Now Available

The Outlook surveyed over 1,100 travel advisors about what is happening and trending within the world of wellness.

Read...
News Briefs
  • Join Avanti's Travel Advisor Webinar
  • Insight Vacations to Debut Journeys to Latin America For the First Time
  • ALG Vacations Launches Digital Publication for Travel Advisors
  • TTC Brands Now Include Specially Trained Well-Being Director
  • The Travel Corporation Introduces ‘Buy Now, Pay Later’ Option
  • In Memorium: USTOA Legal Counsel John Hughes
TMR Outlooks
Expedition 2020
Wellness Outlook
Distribution Outlook
View All
Advertiser's Voice
https://img.youtube.com/vi/9LEYlsgImf4/0.jpg
Video: What Was It Like to Be the Travel Expert for the CBS Morning News?
About Travel Market Report Mission Editorial Staff Advisory Board Advertise
TMR Resources Webinars Calendar of Events
Subscribe to TMR
Select Language
Do You Have an Idea Email
editor@travelmarketreport.com
Give Us a Call
1-(516) 730-3097
Drop Us a Note
Travel Market Report
243 South Street, OysterBay, NY, 11771
News|Leisure Travel|Land Vacations|Cruise|Canada Retail Strategies|Well-Being|Luxury|Training
© 2005 - 2021 Travel Market Report, an American Marketing Group Inc. Company All Rights Reserved | 243 South Street, Oyster Bay, NY, 11771 USA | Telephone (516) 730-3097| Terms and Conditions
Cookie Policy Privacy Policy