Editor’s Letter

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Editor’s Note:

During this period of social distancing, Group Tour magazine will continue to provide group travel inspiration. Please contact destinations and attractions directly for updated reopening and safety information.

Reflecting and looking ahead

We’ve made it to another new year and it’s only natural to reflect and look at what’s to come. For me, this month in particular is a point of reflection, as my daughter is turning 2 years old at the end of February. Her birthday is not only a reminder of how fast time flies, but also of how long this pandemic has been a part of our lives.

We’ve all come a long way in the last two years. That’s evident in our most recent reader survey. We’ve been keeping tabs on the group tour industry since the pandemic began and it’s so refreshing to see the growth and rebuilding you’ve achieved. Our January 2022 survey reports that 96 percent of readers are actively planning trips this year. And 46 percent of you led tours last year. You’re also reporting about 20 percent less tour cancellations/rescheduling than a year ago. That’s a huge win!

This month, I’ll be attending Southeast Tourism Society’s Domestic Showcase in Virginia Beach, my first time traveling since the summer of 2019. Not only will I be leaving my daughter for the first time (cue the tissues) but it’s also my first time flying post-COVID and my first time being around large groups of people since all this began. I’m excited to experience the beauty of Virginia Beach, as well as so many other destinations we’ll be sharing with you this year.

In this issue, our cover story highlights cities that embrace creativity and artistic expression in the form of public art. You’ll find a special section on group travel favorites in Indiana, as well as features on shopping in the Twin Cities; Finger Lakes, New York; Boise, Idaho; Sevierville, Tennessee; and Fort Collins, Colorado’s beer scene.

As always, we appreciate your readership and support of Group Tour magazine. For more travel planning inspiration, check out grouptourmagazine.com and follow us on Facebook and Instagram (@grouptourmagazine).

Until next time,

Courtney Birchmeier

courtney@grouptour.com