2023 Emerging Trends

- Joy Gawf-Crutchfield

We are only a few weeks into 2023 and a fantastic trend is already presenting itself.

Family travel to Europe on escorted tours and river cruises is in huge demand.

You can’t imagine how happy that makes me.

I can vouch for this personally-kids love Europe.  Grown ups too, for that matter, but especially kids.  

The gargoyles, the crypts, the castles, I can go on and on, but you can imagine it.  

Having traveled the world with my kids and now grandkids, I know just how great the memories are going to be.  I know how many times the “remember when” stories are going to be told and retold.  If you can take three generations, it gets even better.  “Remember when Grandpa fell into the fountain at Versailles” is always a winner.  (For the record my father never did that, it’s a “for instance” ha ha)

My daughter Leigh Ann (our business manager, you’ve probably met her) was able to go on a Grand Tour of Europe when she was in High School.  Now in her 30’s, and helping me run this company, you can’t imagine how useful that experience has been for her.  When customers call asking about a particular destination, she’s able to share her insight into just what it was like for a teenage traveler.

It’s the same with my other agents.  We are all world travelers, and we take our families.  Knowing firsthand just how amazing a destination or experience can be makes the difference.

Take the kids.  Take them often, take them all over the world.  Share with them the cultures and traditions of other countries and peoples.  Open their eyes to other religious practices. Help them understand why your family believes and honors the things it does.  

I will never forget crouching through the tunnel at Newgrange, Ireland with my grandson.  Or tossing coins into the Trevi Fountain with my daughter in Rome.  

With airfare to Mexico and the Caribbean nearly as costly as a flight to Europe, you might as well take them on a European Adventure. 

EuropeJoy CrutchfieldFamily