Tragedy in Japan—doing what we can to help
by Alan E. Lewis
Entry: June 2011
It seems that the world of late has been reeling from one tumultuous event after another—from political upheavals to all manner of natural and man-made disasters. And while global tourism has certainly been deeply affected, we should pause and consider something vastly more important: the people caught in the middle of these tragedies.
As the world is aware, on March 11 a devastating tsunami slammed into Japan’s eastern coast, the result of one of the largest earthquakes ever recorded. The ensuing television footage of people, cars, and homes being swept away, and fires burning out of control, left one with a profound sense of helplessness. These were heart-wrenching scenes to watch.
A Sneak Preview of …
What’s New in the New Year at Grand Circle
by Alan E. Lewis
Entry: December 2010
The Anglican clergyman Charles Kingsley once said, “We act as though comfort and luxury were the chief requirements of life, when all that we need to make us really happy is something to be enthusiastic about.” Harriet and I enjoy the comforts of home as much as anyone—but nothing makes us happier and more enthusiastic than setting out to explore new and unfamiliar lands.
Something we’ve learned over our quarter-century at the helm of Grand Circle Corporation is that how you travel can be just as important as where you go. We’ve always crafted Grand Circle trips around four central pillars that we believe are at the heart of every memorable vacation: value, pacing, choice, and discovery.
Lead from the Heart: OAT Wins Global Vision Award
by Alan E. Lewis
Entry: November 2010
Everybody wants to be a part of something greater than themselves. That’s one of the reasons why Harriet and I created the Grand Circle Foundation, in 1992. Since then, the Foundation has pledged or donated more than $50 million to support the education of young people and the preservation of cultural treasures and traditions all over the world. This wouldn’t be possible without the support of our travelers, because we apply a portion of the cost of every trip to the Foundation’s work.
I firmly believe that for corporate philanthropy to succeed, charitable work—our social mission—must be tied to the very nature of a company’s business. That’s why we’ve chosen, for example, to create initiatives that help the local people in the very communities where our travelers visit—like our new Invest in a Village initiative, which will help local leaders drive changes that are sustainable, designed for the long-term benefit of the people.
Why we give back to the world—a little background
by Alan E. Lewis
Entry: September 2010
Alan and Harriet Lewis, shown here at their home in New Hampshire, first met in high school.
Harriet and I both grew up in Boston and shared a passion for travel at an early age. We first met each other in high school and had a few rocky dates. After graduating, we went our separate ways; Harriet graduated from Kent State, and I went into business without finishing college. Six years later, we met again. This time we connected—the teacher and the entrepreneur.
We invested in our first travel company in 1973 and in 1985, we took one of the biggest risks of our lives: We purchased Grand Circle Travel. Eight years later, we acquired Overseas Adventure Travel.
When we started our own company, we did so with a huge dream—to create a business that helped change people's lives. We dreamed of helping to change the lives of our travelers by offering unbelievable adventure and discovery and opportunities to explore daily life in the villages we visit; our associates, by creating a workplace culture based on values and challenging each person to find and follow their passion; the people in the villages we visit who make our travel experiences real and meaningful, and many who need our help.