Agents and Industry Use Social Media To Show Support For Paris

While working through the weekend to assist customers in Paris or who were headed there, travel agents along with the travel industry were using social media to show their support for France following Friday’s terrorist attacks.

Virtuoso posted to Facebook (picture) a picture featuring the Eiffel Tower headlined “Freedom: Boundaries divide; travel unites.” Along with it was a message, “In the wake of the attacks on Paris, Virtuoso’s role of guiding, assisting, and caring for you, our clients, has once again intensified. While our hearts are heavy, our entire network of member travel agencies, advisors, and preferred travel providers remains steadfast in our commitment to preserving your freedom to travel. You are our utmost priority.”

The group’s CEO Matthew Upchurch posted on his own Facebook page, “On Monday we announced in Puglia that our 2016 ?#‎VirtuosoChairmans event will be in Paris – time to support our French ?#‎VirtuosoTravel family.” He also changed his profile to French flag whipping in a strong wind while adding on Instagram, “All of France and Paris are in our hearts and prayers.”

Albert Herrera, EVP at Virtuoso, posted, “My thoughts and prayers to all in Paris” while Nancy Strong of Strong Travel Services posted, “We are all weeping for our French friends.” Stacy Small of Elite Travel International added on her Facebook page, “Thinking of all our dear friends in Paris” along with a picture of her in front of the Eiffel Tower.

Mary Jean Tully of Tully Luxury Travel wrote, “Don’t let the awful tragedy of what happened in Paris last night make us judge others. I have experienced nothing but peace, prayer and love and a sense of unity here in Marrakech right now for those in Paris and their families. We as a World need to be unified!! ?#‎peace ?#‎love ?#‎respect ?#‎unity?#‎Marrakech ?#‎morocco ?#‎pray.” 

Jacklyn Sienna India, owner of Sienna Charles posted, “Thoughts are with Paris” while Renshaw Travel President David Lowy added, “My thoughts are with all of my wonderful friends in Paris during this terrible tragedy. Vive la France.” Shelby Hanes Donley, owner Cambelback Odyssey Travel updated her Facebook picture to the Eiffel Tower with a beacon shining atop.

Josh Alexander, an advisor at Protravel, wroted, “Thoughts and prayers with all of my friends in colleagues in Paris and France.” Jim Mazza and Kathryn Mazza Burney, executives at TRAVELSAVERS and NEST shared a picture titled, “Prayers for Paris.” Anne Scully of McCabe World Travel changed her Facebook pictures to the French flag and a picture of the Eiffel Tower. Departure Lounge founder Keith Waldon posted a picture of a candle with the words Paris Beirut, acknowledging the attack on the Lebanese capital Thursday that left over 40 dead.

Craig Pavlus, President of Pavlus Travel joined the many on Facebook who changed their profile picture to feature an overlay of the tricolor as did Charlie Funk, CEO of Just Cruisin’ Plus, Jackie Friedman, President of Nexion, Travel Leaders Group Communications Chief Steve Loucks and Director of Educational Services Gloria Stock Mickelson, Higgins Travel Leaders Owner Denise Hanson-Petricka, Travel Specialist Kris Knutson of Travel Leaders Rice Lake and Mary Jean Thompson, luxury travel advisor at Traveldesigns by Campbell. Kim Gorres, owner of Travel Leaders/Travel Now posted a picture of herself in front of the Eiffel Tower with the tricolor overlay.

On the industry side, Crystal Cruises CEO Edie Rodriguez posted on Facebook, “My prayers are with the people and city of Paris during the horrible terrorists attacks of this evening. GOD bless them all!” Hotel marketing rep JoAnn Kurtz-Ahlers shared a picture from The Global Spa and Wellness Summit in Mexico City titled, “A prayer of solidarity for France.” Zachary Rabinor, owner of Journey Mexico, a DMC, wrote, “Sending hugs and strength to all my friends in Paris, France, and the world. This is a crime against everyone everywhere. We must fight ugliness with beauty, hatred with love.” Katelyn O’Shaughnessy, founder of TripScope wrote, “Paris, I love you – In my prayers & in my thoughts ?#‎PrayForParis.” James Shillinglaw, ASTA award-winning travel journalist who was on a river cruise in Strasbourg added, “The beauty and magnificence of Paris remains regardless of the latest attacks from crazed Islamic militants. Keep that in mind when planning your next trip to France. We are all Paris!”

Of course, in addition to providing moral support for friends in France, advisors had work to do. Michael Holtz, CEO of SmartFlyer told Travel Market Report on Friday, “We had passengers heading to Newark Airport going in a vacation to Paris. Within 30 minutes we had them rerouted them to Rome hotel and all.” Meanwhile, Jill M. Herd, SVP of Call Center Operations for Agent24 said her agents were busy securing no fee waivers right away and through the weekend for travelers who wanted to change plans.

Pic: João Ernani Oliveira