The number 13 will NOT be an unlucky
number for the escorted tour market in 2013.

I just returned from the National Tour Association conference in Orlando and there are a lot of escorted tour operators with big smiles on their faces. Many of us are seeing double digit growth and basking in the warmth of a projected great year.

In looking back at our 34 years in the tour business, we have had highs and lows. These last years have been very challenging yet we trudge through them, as failure is not an option - plus, we love the business. The escorted market has more glue holding it together than Elmer's. The passion within the industry is unbelievable as we all strive to deliver the best tours to our travelers.

Yet I wonder if we are all ready for this surge of business. What does it take when the flood gates open? Here are some areas where we pay special attention:

Tremendous relationships with our tour suppliers...
Tour operators need to ask for the best rates to encourage intelligent pricing, and if we have not been giving consistent business with high conversion ratios for what we contracted, are we going to get what we promised to our travelers? Are the Hilton Hotel properties going to partner with tour operators who have produced low numbers and slow pay, or are they going to choose operators who have been "Steady Eddie's"? We have always been part of the Steady Eddie group.

Tour development ...
Have our tours been thoroughly researched and "driven" before they go out the door? With the crunch of increased business, which tour operators have previewed their products? We do, and to a very exacting degree.

Fiscally sound...
Are we run on a shoestring budget or are we members of United States Tour Operators Association (USTOA) where each tour operator member must post one million dollars cash for our Travelers Assistance Program. As you hopefully know, we are proud members of USTOA.

Tour operator staffing...
We are a very labor intensive business. Do we have longevity within our staff who can create and deliver the dream vacation at affordable pricing? Are the principals of the company actively involved and does the tour company have depth in their management? Our management team has been with Mayflower for an average of 22 years. And John and I have owned the company for the past 34 years.

As a co-owner of Mayflower Tours, I think about this all the time, and from experience I can tell you we are so ready. Let the train come down the track and watch who is in the engine car leading this business.

Bring it on....here's to Lucky 13!