See the World: Why Travel Makes You Think Big
Do you remember your first road trip or even your first trip on a plane? Travel changes you and how you see the world. It helps you think BIG.
As CEO of one of the biggest hotel companies in the world, I’m on the road three weeks out of four to visit customers, hotel owners and our thousands of Marriott associates around the world. I've been to nearly all the 74 countries where we operate or franchise our 3,800 hotels.
Every trip—whether it's business or vacation—is always an education. Earlier this year, I was able to visit Sri Lanka for the first time as part of a larger trip to India. It’s a beautiful country that is emerging from decades of civil war. I was inspired by the aspirations of Sri Lankans to welcome tourists and share their rich culture.
In a way, this desire to explore and learn is in my DNA. My parents were Lutheran missionaries working in Japan when I was born. When I was seven, we came back to the American Midwest, where I spent most of my youth, including college and law school. Before my senior year in college, my father encouraged me to go to Beirut, Lebanon, for the summer. It was 1979 and there was a civil war going on, but I said "yes" in a heartbeat. I tell my kids that I would never suggest they go to a war zone, but, for me, it was the adventure of a lifetime. I was welcomed by people in Beirut in a way that still sets a great example of hospitality.
Education through travel is why I’m passionate about making it easier for others to see the world (and yes, it’s obviously good for my business, too). I’ve been working with other leaders in the travel industry to promote “Smart Visa” policies to stimulate global tourism, create new jobs and spur economic growth. Travel is trade, and it’s good the U.S. has taken the first steps to join countries around the world in recognizing the economic benefits of tourism and promoting freedom of travel.
Amazingly, last year people made 1 billion trips outside their own countries to see the world. We all traveled for jobs, fresh opportunities, a better quality of life, and for the sheer pleasure of a new experience or adventure.
What made you first fall in love with travel? I’d enjoy hearing your story. And I encourage all of you to get out there and See the World.
Photo credit: Marriott International
Business Development Specialist
9 年The industry of peace, has been called time and again. I am fortunate to have been involved in developing and marketing special interest travel to far flung parts of the world. Let's make peace through travel.
assistant laundry manager at Manazeli Hotels & Resorts
10 年For intertainment good place specially ENJOY Hill Holliday
Director of Culinary Services
10 年I have spent the last 11 years in food service, retail, and merchandising and travelling has helped me to broaden my knowledge in different types of cultures and their food, what sells in their markets, and what is of importance to other cultures. I have been lucky enough to work for company's that let me take what I have learned from previous work experience and travel and bring it to their table. I would LOVE a job abroad (who doesn't) that will teach me and in return let me show them my skills that I have acquired.
Restaurants Manager at THE TORCH DOHA
11 年Travelling is in the genes of humans, if they would not have travelled :new continents, new countries, new cultures, new people won't have been discovered. Cultures get nourished and get richer when they meet others. Travelling helps realise your own. For a person working in hotel industry travelling actually gets you to empathize with our guests own expectation,feelings,simple needs, requirements and lets you get ready to welcome them !!!
Agent at Flournoy & Jagger
11 年Hello Arne. It has been a few years since we corresponded about having more Marriott hotels with upscale rooms that have two beds instead of one king bed. I continue to travel the world, and am dissapointed to see that only in the non US countries do we find this. The US hotels still require us to take a basic room to get two beds. Even Hyatt is doing a better job and is resulting in us taking a Hyatt reservation over Marriott in some cases. Just having 15% of the upscale rooms with two beds would be a great improvement. Thanks - Tom Flournoy