In 2004, when the published issues of Global Traveler were still in single digits, publisher and CEO Francis X. Gallagher and I were at a meeting in Boston when we passed a celebration for a local magazine’s 10th anniversary. At the time, marking our own decade felt like a distant dream. We surpassed that milestone last year, and in January 2015 we celebrate another achievement: our 150th issue.
That other magazine didn’t fare as well. It merged into a larger group and eventually folded, leaving little more than dated web references and press coverage of its demise. Global Traveler, however, continues to thrive and expand, delivering timely, practical information about the travel industry and showing how new ideas, technologies and initiatives affect the lives of our well-traveled readers.
Issue by issue, we’ve documented key developments in luxury and business travel. From the introduction of superjumbo jets and in-flight residences to designated butler service at luxury hotels, increased parity for women business travelers, smartphone tools that streamline the journey and worldwide efforts to reduce travel’s environmental footprint, we’ve traced how travel has evolved in the 21st century.
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TECHNOLOGY-ENHANCED TRAVEL stands out as a major marker of change. The cover of our debut issue in February 2004 featured a young, very pregnant businesswoman calling home from her hotel room — using the room’s landline. Today, using a hotel phone beyond ordering room service is rare. The smartphone has become so much more than a calling device.
“The mobile boarding pass has had a great impact on how I travel,” says Katie Skrzek, digital media manager at Global Traveler. “I appreciate the convenience of showing my phone to airport staff rather than finding a printer or waiting in line.” When travelers use technology effectively, queuing becomes a relic of the 20th century.
Traveler autonomy is another defining shift. Frequent business traveler Sue Castorino, president of The Speaking Specialist and a member of Global Traveler’s Globility Board, points to do-it-yourself tools as the biggest difference between business travel in 2004 and now. “Hands down, it’s traveler autonomy,” she says. “We can book flights, compare schedules and prices, choose or change seats up until boarding, print boarding passes or use mobile passes, check upgrades and standbys — all without bothering gate agents.”
Technology also lets travelers inspect destinations before they arrive. While planning a vacation years ago, I entered a Provence address into Google Earth and virtually walked down a small Luberon village street to view the house from multiple angles. Eric Ludwig, vice president of JPMorganChase Global Network Services and a Globility Board member, notes similar benefits: research, booking and check-in are far more efficient online, and tools like SeatGuru, TripAdvisor and Google Maps satellite view help inform travel decisions.
FORGET PINK SLIPPERS and token low-calorie menus — women business travelers now expect parity and respectful treatment equal to their male counterparts. Our August 2014 “What Women Want” feature resonated strongly with readers and staff alike. Olivia Falcione, longtime GT associate and frequent traveler, called it her favorite piece, praising its focus on women’s needs, preferences and practical tips for business travel.
Donna Childs, charter member of the Globility Board and founder of Prisere LLC, says the most meaningful change over the magazine’s run has been the improved treatment of women travelers. She recalls an earlier trip when a fellow passenger mistook her for a flight attendant because she wore a comfortable travel suit. “It is much, much better now,” Childs says. Hotels are more attuned to women’s security concerns, and airlines are more equitable in offering upgrades. Equal treatment benefits all travelers.
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EVEN UPGRADES have been transformed. Early first-class comforts like generous reclining seats have given way to lie-flat beds, herringbone configurations and private suites with ambient lighting and advanced entertainment systems. What once felt revolutionary is now common in many premium cabins. In a 2011 GT Tested review, Emirates first-class was likened to a fantastical private space — a reminder of how far onboard luxury has progressed.
WHILE BENCHMARKS in air travel include innovations across many aircraft types, the arrival of superjumbo jets accelerated the pace of change. Olivia Falcione highlights the Boeing 787 Dreamliner and Airbus A380 as pivotal: onboard lounges, lie-flat beds and upgraded services have elevated luxury travel. Monique Barrett, eFlyer editor at Global Traveler, points to other industry shifts — Etihad’s The Residence on the A380, United’s efficient 787-9 Dreamliner and airport technologies at hubs like Chicago O’Hare and Incheon that pioneer self-service and streamline passenger journeys. Hotel groups such as Marriott, Conrad and InterContinental have matched this trend with mobile check-in and other guest-focused tech.
Experienced business travelers like Sue Castorino also see in-flight comfort innovations as critical. “Fabulously upgraded first-class suites with flat beds, cozy blankets and extensive entertainment options are a real wow factor — and necessary for veteran travelers,” she says.
WHEN IT COMES TO WOW, Emirates’ 2008 introduction of in-flight shower cabins on the A380 stands out. What began as expectation for airport-lounge showers evolved into private, five-minute shower spa access for first-class passengers. Etihad later pushed the envelope further with The Residence: a private onboard suite for two that includes separate living and sleeping areas, a full shower and dedicated service from an onboard butler and chef. Though expensive, The Residence offers an incomparable level of privacy and service.
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Our partners remain some of our most loyal advocates. Vibhat Nair, general manager at JPMorgan Chase, calls Global Traveler a premier source for travel news and trends. Stacie Errera, chief marketing officer at Tamron, praises collaborative programs like photo contests and social media campaigns that engage qualified travel-savvy audiences. Maria Sacconi of Alitalia recognizes the magazine’s reach among discerning business and luxury travelers and values the ongoing partnership.
With respect for our past and enthusiasm for what’s ahead, we invite readers to join us on the journey. Cheers to 150 issues — and here’s to the next milestone.