WAKING TO A NEW DAWN

 

In just one more sleep, Egyptians will be waking to the dawning of a new day. A new chapter in the story of one of the world’s most ancient lands is about to be written. The ink is ready. Election day is but hours away.

Tomorrow the sun will shine stronger, brighter. Election day will have finally arrived. And in the 48 hours that will follow, Egypt will make history once more.

For the first time in the lives of many Egyptians, this election day will be one that they actually trust to reflect their votes. Many elders will mark a ballot for the first time, making a real choice, not questioning if it really matters. Egypt’s youth, feeling a particular pride because of their specific role in reaching this day, will mark their ballots purposefully and This time is different. These times are so very different.

Lines will form, thousands of lines formed by millions of citizens, each and every one ready to place their vote, make their mark, play their part. Weaving, weaving, weaving through the streets of the nation, stretching from Lower to Upper Egypt, voter lines will come together in a remarkable re-weaving of the spirit of the flag, their flag. Different people of different views, different backgrounds, different ideologies, different visions of a new Egypt, as different as red, black and white, all coming together.

Egypt’s election is not simply a political process in a country. This event is a symbol of the process of growth that has occurred since the start of the Arab Spring, a worldwide symbol.

Since 25.01.2011, the world has been watching, with hope and prayer. From Tahrir Square to today, the nation’s journey has been one with smooth patches, but also with its times of stones blocking the way and slowing pace, as well as stones being thrown. Looking back, thinking back, events deemed inevitable still inspire awe at their having actually occurred. The courage that it took for Egyptians to stand as one to change the course of their history, their lives, must never, ever be forgotten. Similarly, the courage it continues to take to sustain the journey of national rebuilding with patience, purpose and participation.

Election day is not only a day to look ahead with excitement, it is a day to pause, to be still, to absorb the profound meaning of the here & now. So much will continue to change. Unknowns remain. Choices will be made that many will agree with, many will not. As shared by one of Egypt’s young professionals: “It is exciting nonetheless as for the first time in Egypt’s 7000 year history Egyptians do not know who will be their next leader.”

Insh’Allah, the power of the people will be, and remain, peacefully and purposefully united with the people in power.

With Spring comes new life. The Arab Spring is no different.

Copyright: ANITA MENDIRATTA 2012

SOUNDBYTES INSPIRED BY STRANGERS

For all of the souvenirs that can be purchased across the world, few things stir up as much emotion as the soundbytes that we take home, packed deeply in our memories, from places visited, people met and moments felt. It is these soundbytes that turn into shared, and reshared, and reshared, stories not only on return to home/office base, but in these times of ever-connected technology.

These moments, these soundbytes, occur during travels of business and pleasure. And often, the most poignant of them are created by complete stranger…people who happen to cross our path and simply open the door, open their knowledge, or open their heart. 

A stranger, unlocking a massive wooden door of a centuries old Arabian palace to reveal the secret of the most awe-inspiring view of the Great Pyramids. 

A stranger, gently folding back the petals of a lily to teach how to turn a flower into a temple offering. A stranger, standing firm in traffic to make crossing a frenetic city street safe passage. 

A stranger, now the source of a precious story.

Random acts of kindness are the moments that turn seconds into soundbytes, soundbytes into stories. They are the stuff that travel blessings are made of…

Copyright: ANITA MENDIRATTA 2012

NEVER LOSE THE AWE

In today's world of perpetual motion, where borders are erased by flight plans, meeting plans and holiday plans, the distance between desire and destination is getting shorter and shorter. From the perspective of the advancement of civilisations, even though enhancements in health, wealth, security and stability have evolved the human condition to allow for a greater sense of permanence and connection, nomadic life is becoming more a way of life. Especially for people in the global Travel and Tourism (T&T) industry.

Waking in the morning with a moment of hesitation to allow re-orientation has, for millions of professional travellers, become part of the routine that awaits each new day. Hotel rooms become referenced as 'home'. Business lounges in airports and hotels have transformed into mobile offices. And the ability to move around the world with only carry-on in tow becomes a necessity if peace of mind is to be maintained. Baggage halls are no place to take one's chances. A one day luggage delay is not an option.

Millions, literally millions, now form this nomadic community that travels around the world. Looking confident and creaseless, these nomads take pride in their ability to go anywhere on a moment's notice, a lock & go / kiss & go lifestyle perfectly in place, some place known as home. Days, weeks, years easily become a blur, especially when entire days are jumped over with changes in time zones and crossings of date lines.

Yet for all of the globe-crossing busyness that takes over the Blackberry-managed lives of the global T&T community, there are those moments that have the ability to hit the 'pause' button. Especially when landing into a city, looking out the window with fresh eyes, and feeling an immediate, unexpected, deeply personal and almost child-like sense of "Oh my goodness, I'm in _____!"

It is these moments of awe that we nomads must never never let pass. These moments of awe are what keeps our sense of place, our sense of wonder, and our sense of blessing intact. 

Never, ever should we allow our busyness and feeling of professional purpose eclipse the fact that our profession enables us to travel, often in a day, to places that people wait, plan and save for months to be able to experience. 

It is our duty, and honour, to keep the awe carefully tucked in our hearts as a travel essential. The day we lose the awe is the day we must hand in our passports.

 

Copyright: ANITA MENDIRATTA 2012

WHAT MAKES THE WORLD CARE?

Across the globe, news flashed with chart-topping speed that, sadly and suddenly, music diva Whitney Houston had passed on. A mere 48 years of age, a woman who grew up alongside a generation of now fourty-somethings, would sing no more. She had won her race against abuse of substances and abuse in relationships, but she could not win the race against time that clearly her life's story was working to. News bulletins, across all forms of electronic and other e-based wires, lit up to express shock, sadness, dismay. They continue with little sign of letting up, with little chance of the world not hearing, caring, responding with news. The news is turning into a musical tribute. And people want to know more - what caused this, why such a loss, why now... 'how could this be?'.

At the same time, news wires are carrying the story of untold, ongoing brutalities taking place in Syria under the relentless leadership of President Assad's. Just days ago China and Russia voted against UN sanctions. Every hour, of every day, across Syria, hearts stop beating, lives stop hoping, time has run out. Shock, sadness and dismay can be heard in debates and political dialogues across the globe. While the UN, GCC, Arab League, EU, Organisation of Islamic Cooperation and governments of various leading global nations stand together in their condemnation of events in Syria. The numbers killed by a government lead response to protests inspired by the Arab Spring has reached, according to UN sources, over 7000. This past week alone, Homs has seen fatalities in the double-and triple digits each day. Yet, at a global citizenry level, unless one is seeking out the latest on events in Syria, creating a blind spot to the tragedy unfolding, is very possible. The number of people carrying the torch, questioning 'how could this be?', seems to diminish as each new day passes. The news is turning into white noise.

How does the world, as a collective conscience, determine what matters? Every day events occur. How can it be that some issues experience enduring, global response, and others go unnoticed. The life of one artist ends, sadly, and millions mourn. Thousands of lives end, and few, if any, care to know names. How could this be?

As the world moves forward, it would be so valuable to understand what it is that moves the world. What it is that makes an issue become a global outcry? 

What, or who, does it take to make the world care? 

To solve this mystery would be to take a massive step forward in leveraging the power and promise of the global community for the genuine good of its 7 billion people.

Copyright: ANITA MENDIRATTA 2012

ONE YEAR ON - YOU ARE HERE

 

January 25^th. This day, one year ago, this date became a global symbol of a wave of change that reached out across from Arab nations, to the Eurozone, the Americas, Asia and places across the globe where once silent voices learnt to roar. January 25^th, the day Egyptians took to the streets, the day Tahrir Square became a physical and psychological home for millions seeking a future in their homeland, and the day the world’s cameras put the zoom lens on the seeds of global revolution.

One year on, and the power of the people is redefining the people in power, in political, economic and religious centres across the world, redefining where nations are going.

Defining ‘next’, however, begs the question: where are we now?

Changes are underway in nations that had their foundations shaken and shattered in 2011. Once again, Egypt provides a global window through which to view progress and potential of the region. As happened smoothly in Tunisia at the end of 2011, slowly, step by step, the political processes are unfolding, with Egyptians now standing up and stepping forward to make their mark on the new blueprint of the nation. Temperatures have risen, tempers have flared and tests to stability of the process have occurred. Still, slowly, slowly, the process moves forward.

If 2011 taught us anything, it is this: democracy demands participation, revolution demands patience, leadership demands faith, and revolution demands taking responsibility. These truisms cannot be left behind as part of last year’s learnings.

Why? Because the revolutions that occurred in 2011 were not the end, they were only the beginning. And, importantly, there is no guarantee of their outcomes.

The millions who took to the streets in Egypt year ago, swiftly and successfully overthrowing their well-entrenched ruler of over 30 years, now look to the future questioning what will become of their country should the democracy that they fought for vote in leaders that they did not put their ‘X’ beside. What will happen to freedoms of expression, participation, recreation and identity? What if moving forward ends up taking us back?

The same questions can be posed when looking across the globe at other locations of protest. What if the 1% step back and let the 99% take the reins? Are the 99% prepared to deal with the ‘what next?’ Are the Greeks prepared to start paying taxes? Are the Americans prepared to stop living off of credit card based wealth. Are watchful eyes observing illogical financial activity prepared to give their grey hair and gut feelings a voice?

Clearly, protesting is one thing. Participating is quite another.

Across the map, through 2012 , the path to reform, recovery and real stability is just starting to show its first footprints. With each step, careful consideration of consequences is critical. A new rhythm will be found, one that feels right. Especially if we all stand up and face the music.

Copyright: ANITA MENDIRATTA 2012

'TIS THE SEASON REFIND FAITH

2011 has been a hard year.

Hard politically, economically, socially, environmentally.

This past year has tested our limits in addressing challenges, finding unique solutions to problems beyond fiction.

Most importantly, this past year has tested faith – faith in systems, structures and sensibilities.

And yet through it all, the world has continued to move forward, sparking confidence and belief in possibility even when rationalizing lack of probability.

Step by step, second by second, the world moves forward.

Because it has to.

Regardless of our ages, our ideologies, our beliefs, our battles past, and our war wounds, We need to believe in the possibility of moving forward.

It is like a child’s belief in Santa…

With big big eyes, an open heart and a look of that shows just how much faith is held within that child’s little body, a child approaches Santa knowing he is the one person who can be trusted, whispered to in strictest confidence, to listen to their greatest wishes, and make things right.

As beautifully captured by Jack Sanderson in the recently released documentary “Becoming Santa”, it’s all about the remarkable force of faith.

It is this force that turned 2011 into a year of making history through possibility, and will continue to keep us forward focused in 2012.

To believe is hard, but it is essential. And it is an immense blessing.

Besides, who says there’s no such thing as Santa Claus?

Happy 2012.

Copyright: ANITA MENDIRATTA 2011

GLOBAL BONDING THROUGH REGIONAL CRISIS

As 2011 counts down to its final weeks, the spirit and momentum of events of the first days of the new year continue to hold the Arab world, and world at large, in its grip. 'Arab Spring', a flowing stream of revolution and reform that has been spreading across North Africa and the Middle East throughout 2011, has proven to have profound ripple effects across the globe.

2011 has been a year of global reawakening, reshaping and reconnecting. No longer are events in one part of the world simply short-term news headlines, pushed aside with short-term memory. Now, with each new story, a new question of "what does this mean here, for me?" emerges.

Interestingly, with the region's social, political and economic structures breaking apart, a bonding has been occurring. Collective conscience has transcended borders, cultures, religions and political ideologies. One by one, as nationals have courageously stood forward to create essential change in their countries, they have found the people of the world standing beside them.

Just days ago at WTM 2011, one of the world's largest coming together to global tourism leaders, policy makers, captains of industry, media and members of government, a special UNWTO seminar was held to put a spotlight on "The Future of Tourism in the Middle East and North Africa". The MENA region, heavily dependent on the tourism industry for employment, earnings, investment, trade and unity, felt the heaviest rain showers of the Arab Spring. With global travellers uncertain of the safety and stability of regional tourism destinations experiencing political overthrow, visitation to leading regional destinations Egypt and Tunisia plummeted (offering, interestingly, destinations such as Greece, Turkey and the GCC states a surprise injection of travellers re-routing their plans). As the Arab Spring moved through the MENA region's summer and autumn seasons, tourist confidence strengthened, strengthening visitor arrivals. Still, as winter approaches, the year's stats will show a deep chill, with leading regional destinations Egypt and Tunisia expecting year on year declines of 25% - 30%.

Acutely aware of the need to rebuild regional tourism, urgently and collectively, the UNWTO brought together a panel of regional champions of tourism from both the public and private sector, including HE Mr Mounir Fakhry Abdel-Nour, Minister of Tourism of EGYPT and HE Mr Mehdi Houas, Minister of Tourism of TUNISIA, JORDAN’s Minister of Tourism and Antiquities, HE Nayef Al Fayez, and senior leadership of Jumeirah Group Dubai, Etihad Airways and Thomas Cook.

While each voice conveyed a different story of the effects of regional uprisings, one thing was clear: together they are united in a shared commitment to see the region's tourism sector emerge stronger, safer, and more competitive on the global travel stage than ever before.

Traditional rival destinations have become bonded by crisis. Learnings are being shared, partnerships are being forged, issues are being collectively lobbied, and opportunities are being unlocked. Together, spirit is being restored, confidence rebuilt and possibility turned to probability. Recovery is underway.

To see, and feel, this firmness of spirit is not just inspiring, it is empowering. And it is a reminder of the gift that crisis can offer.

As shared by Taleb Rifai, Secretary General of the UNWTO, emerging from crisis "is not about waiting for the storm to pass, it is about learning how to dance in the rain."

How remarkable it is to pause while dancing to see who is dancing alongside, sharing their umbrella.


Copyright: ANITA MENDIRATTA 2011