The February issue represents the 21st anniversary of Global Traveler, and we dedicate this issue not only to this milestone but to cruising with the Wave Issue. Global Traveler has grown along with the cruising industry over the last two decades, and we acknowledge the monumental changes in the industry in this issue. From large ships to small ships, river cruising to ocean cruising, little did we know the surge of options that would become available to the consumer.
The Wave Issue is just one of two issues Global Traveler devotes to cruising this year, as September remains our annual Cruising Issue. Please enjoy my GT Tested review of Global Traveler’s hosted cruise on the Windstar Star Breeze. This trip was the second annual GT-hosted cruise, following our inaugural voyage on AmaWaterways’ AmaMagna in October 2023. Look to future issues for updates on the next venture with our subscribers and subscriber board.
After the holidays, travels took me to Kitty Hawk, North Carolina, for a few days as we made our way to Sarasota to check on our satellite office. I look forward to upcoming trips to Los Angeles this month to meet with our good clients there, many representing Asian destinations and airlines. We continue to monitor the current situation in the city as they experience terrible wildfires; we send our thoughts and support to the city, its residents and businesses.
Our team was just in Beverly Hills as the year closed with a successful 21st annual GT Tested Reader Survey awards gala at L’Ermitage Beverly Hills at its beautiful rooftop venue. Subscribers and award winners flew in from all areas of the world to attend and receive their reader-voted awards. We had a special treat with the attendance of our Korean representative, Jeff Hwang, and his lovely family including his wife, Hea Young, and his daughter, Sion, and son, Zion (a.k.a. Franco X. — named after yours truly).
We will host our next event, the Global Traveler Leisure Lifestyle Awards, at InterContinental Miami May 22 to honor our readers’ selection of the best cruise lines, destinations and airlines in the luxury travel sector. We look forward to revealing your selections for the best in the May Leisure Travel Issue.
After a great deal of traveling in 2024, I am planning this year’s adventures. I have already set up two trips to Ireland, one for a golf excursion in May and the other for a wedding in August … not to mention the wedding of my son, Nathan, in June. I am ready for a busy travel year in 2025! Will you join me in making this one of the best?
Francis X. Gallagher, publisher and CEO
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