The email started like this. “In case you didn’t know, I live just outside of Asheville, North Carolina, where Hurricane Helen devastated the entire area over a week ago.”Additionally, my co-worker’s family is safe, but… “So many communities in Western North Carolina continue to suffer, many of which rely heavily on tourism.”
The person who sent the email hoped that travel industry media would help draw attention to local needs. Of course, our editors, many of whom were already working on stories about the devastation, were moved by this call to action. It’s one thing to hear that thousands of people have been affected by a natural disaster, but it’s another thing to be able to put a face (and family) to it.
We’ve seen time and time again that the travel industry is on the front lines of recovery, including the Maui fires and the response to hurricanes in the Caribbean and the United States.
As I write this, just over two weeks after Helen, another hurricane is headed toward Florida and the Gulf Coast. We don’t know what new damage Hurricane Milton will cause. Or, sadly, the hurricane after that, or the hurricane after that. As we deal with an increase in more powerful storms, major disruptions to travel systems and other regions seem inevitable.
But I have no doubt that Travel Advisor will jump on board with this situation. From the Maui fires to the Caribbean and U.S. hurricane responses, we know that the travel industry is on the front lines of recovery by supporting stranded travelers and bringing visitors back when it is safe to do so. I’ve seen it many times. And we have proven that we are up to the task.
For now, we are able to support groups on the ground. Tourism Cares is sharing information about several local organizations that are assisting with Helen’s plight (see sidebar on this page). Links to all these groups can be found in the online version of this article on our website www.travelagewest.com.
