The Gift of Travel

Hello valued friends, partners, and colleagues,

This week, I want to reflect on the true gift of travel.

Last week, I had the opportunity to be in three incredible cities: Buenos Aires, Myrtle Beach, and Seattle. Each destination offered something unique, yet they all reminded me of the same truth:

Travel is one of the most beautiful experiences we can have.

What I’ve come to realize is that even when travel is rooted in business, it can still be filled with grace, peace, and intention. It’s about how we choose to move from one place to another.

In every city, I made it a point to pause.

To connect with nature.

To take in a sunrise or a sunset.

To walk along the beach.

Just because we are traveling for work does not mean we cannot reconnect with what grounds us.

There are also the people we meet along the way.

We are incredibly fortunate to be part of an industry that allows us to experience the world through human connection. Moments that move you. Moments that stay with you.

In Buenos Aires, with the Greater Miami CVB and hosting their top clients at the Estadio Más Monumental, I witnessed something unforgettable. For three consecutive hours, fans sang, chanted, and celebrated without pause. There was no halftime show. No external entertainment.

The fans were the entertainment.

Their passion, their energy, their unity created an atmosphere that cannot be replicated. It was a powerful reminder of what it means to be fully present and deeply connected.

In Myrtle Beach, at the MMGY MOJO Summit, I experienced something equally moving. A room filled with leaders from top destinations across the United States, sharing their stories with authenticity and pride.

One moment, in particular, stayed with me.

A campaign from Chicago that brought me to tears.

A city that had been misunderstood and defined by its challenges chose to rewrite its story through the voices of its people. Real people sharing why they love where they live.

That is the power of our industry.

People coming together to elevate, to inspire, and to tell stories that matter.

In Seattle, during Brand USA Destination Immersion, I had the opportunity to connect with international buyers from the UK.

What stood out most was this:

Despite the divisions we may see in the world, there is still a deep desire to explore, to connect, and to experience the United States.

The U.S. offers something truly special.

From beaches to mountains, deserts to rainforests, the diversity of experiences is unmatched.

When it was all said and done, traveling from New York to Buenos Aires, to Myrtle Beach, to Seattle, and back to New York, left me feeling renewed.

I was not exhausted.

I felt re-energized.

I felt inspired.

Travel fuels us.

Travel connects us.

Travel teaches us what no book ever could.

Being on the Sports and Tourism Panel at the MMGY MOJO Summit, speaking about the impact of sports tourism, reminded me why I love what I do.

In a world that can feel divided, sports bring us together.

They allow us to put aside differences, to stand side by side, to cheer, to celebrate, and to feel united.

That is why I have never felt more ready for what’s ahead.

The World Cup is not just a tournament.

It is a global moment of unity.

A moment where Canada, the United States, and Mexico will come together. A moment where fans will cross borders, follow their teams, and share in something bigger than themselves.

At its core, the gift of travel is not just about where we go.

It is about what we feel.

Who we meet.

How deeply we connect along the way.

That is an experience of a lifetime.

With love and gratitude,

Luisa