Shortly after I began working in the travel industry as a copy editor and proof reader, I got a stark and unforgettable lesson in how the harsh realities of the world can deeply affect what to outsiders appears to be the happy-go-lucky universe of tourism. Within days of the terrorist attacks on September 11, a major cruise line’s brochures which prominently displayed photos of the New York City skyline were pulled and new spreads prepared to replace those which featured the World Trade Center. No one wanted to deepen the pain of the losses of that day with reminders of what was no more. Fall Canada & New England itineraries due to sail to and from New York were canceled or rerouted as all efforts were focused on clearing the site at Ground Zero and somehow adjusting to a new reality. Each time since then that there has been a significant natural or man-made disaster, I am conscious of those effects reported broadly in the media — lives lost and forever changed, homes and businesses destroyed, economies affected and travel disrupted. At the same time, I am also aware of the less-apparent, behind-the-scenes ripples these events set in motion. Tour operators, cruise lines, booking agents and hotels must make rapid adjustments to itineraries and reservations, address a flood of inquiries (whether their region or business has actually been affected or not) and communicate changes to their constituents (while taking care of guests on site), sometimes with major disruptions to their communication channels complicating the process. Trying to meet their customers’ needs and maintain a vital economic benefit to their employees and community while often dealing with the shock and loss of loved ones, homes and their normal lives must be overwhelming. And, on the publishing side, editors must decide whether to run a planned article or photo, pull it entirely or insert last-minute updates. The issue might resolve itself before publication or could worsen significantly. How best to present helpful and up-to-date information to readers? I’ll give you an inside look at how a couple of recent world events affected the upcoming issue of Global Traveler in tomorrow’s blog. — Patty Vanikiotis, associate editor/copy editor