the morning after | why travel is important

a street in Paris (c) 2016 by David Ourisman, all rights reserved

I just read a blog by my friend Ben Schlappig entitled What Does A Trump Presidency Mean For Travel? He wrote about (1) global uncertainty, (2) the possibility of a weaker dollar, (3) more visa restrictions, and (4) lots of questions about Trump. His fourth point especially resonated with me:

In the past year I haven’t been able to travel anywhere internationally without talking about Trump. The second I mention I’m from the US, the first thing out of peoples’ mouths has been about Trump. Reactions have been mixed — in Russia, Kazakhstan, and Azerbaijan, they seem to love him, while they don’t in most other places I’ve seen. 

I was looking forward to those conversations ending after the election, but I guess they’re only getting started. So if you go somewhere and say you’re American, I suspect the first thing out of peoples’ mouths will be “ah, Donald Trump,” for better or worse.

I've had much the same experience. While I don't travel nearly as much as Ben, every time I've been out of the country over the past year, people have asked me about Donald Trump and whether he could possibly be elected. I'm sure glad I don't earn my living as a political prognosticator!

Travel is truly important, especially in times like ours. We become international ambassadors when we travel. Person-to-person diplomacy is a powerful force. Chance encounters with citizens of different countries create opportunities to make friendships that transcend national boundaries. Even when our governments are stuck in old patterns of division, we the people of the world have the remarkable capacity to further Tikkun Olam, the healing of the world.

copyright (c) 2016 by Ourisman Travel LLC. All rights reserved. We provide Virtuoso and other Preferred Partner amenities as an affiliate of Brownell Travel. If you have comments on this column, or questions about booking travel, email me or visit my website.

Donald Trump | 7 Virtuoso hotels

I had the Christmas Eve buffet last night at Mar-a-Lago Club, the former estate of Marjorie Merriweather Post that Donald Trump has transformed into an incredible Palm Beach club, and had the opportunity to meet the iconic Mr. Trump.

Donald Trump is a unique individual; there is nobody else in the world whose name graces four Virtuoso hotels. As a Virtuoso travel consultant (whose job it is to sell his hotels), I reasoned that we were business partners and that he would agree to have his picture taken with me. I think he rather admired my chutzpah!

As with any Virtuoso hotel, you receive a significant value-add when you book through any Virtuoso travel agent (at no additional cost to yourself). Here's the deal with the (updated — seven) Trump hotels and why you should consider them for your next stays.

Trump International Hotel New York

• Upgrade at time of arrival, subject to availability
• Complimentary continental breakfast for two daily for duration of the stay
• Guests choice of $100 USD equivalent Spa Services credit or $100 USD   equivalent Food & Beverage credit to be utilized during stay
• Early check-in/Late check-out (subject to availability)

Trump International Toronto

• Upgrade on arrival, subject to availability
• Continental breakfast daily, for up to two in room guests
• $100 USD Equivalent Resort or Hotel credit,  to be utilized during stay
• Early check-in/late check-out subject to availability

Trump SoHo, New York City

• Upgrade on arrival, subject to availability
• Continental breakfast daily, for up to two in room guests via room service
• Early check-in/late check-out subject to availability
• $100 USD Spa Services credit, to be utilized during stay

Trump International, Chicago

• Upgrade on arrival, subject to availability
• Continental breakfast daily, for up to two in room guests
• $100 USD Resort or Hotel credit, to be utilized during stay
• Additional Seasonal Welcome Amenity for Virtuoso Guests
• Early check-in/late check-out subject to availability

Trump International Golf Links and Hotel, (County Clare, Ireland)
the former Lodge at Doonbeg

• Upgrade on arrival, subject to availability
• Daily full breakfast, for up to two in room guests at restaurant
• 75 euro Lunch Voucher for Darby's Restaurant
• Early check-in/late check-out subject to availability

Trump Turnberry, Scotland

• Upgrade on arrival, subject to availability
• Daily full breakfast, for up to two in room guests
• A complimentary round of golf for two on our Kintyre Course OR Afternoon Tea for two in our Grand Tea Lounge once per stay*
• Early check-in/late check-out subject to availability
• *PLEASE NOTE: This amenity is booked and confirmed at check-in and cannot be booked in advance during the reservation stage

Trump International Washington DC (scheduled to open mid-2016)


Donald Trump is all about the art of the deal, and here's your chance to get the best deal from his association with Virtuoso!

copyright (c) 2014 by David Ourisman LLC. As affiliates of Brownell Travel, we can provide our clients with Virtuoso amenities and amenities from other Brownell preferred hotel partners including Four Seasons, Ritz-Carlton, and more. All rights reserved. If you have comments on this column, or questions about booking travel, email me or visit my website.