eTravel Project

On Wednesday March 10, I attended the Jonathan M. Tisch Dialogue Series presented by the Preston Robert Tisch Center for Hospitality, Tourism, and Sports Management at New York University. Events like this are organized on a regular basis and aim to have alumni and faculty meet professionals and leaders of the industry.

Jonathan M. Tisch is Co-Chairman of the Loews Corporation and Chairman and CEO of the subsidiary Loews Hotels. He is a member of the Board of New York University – SCPS Preston Robert Tisch Center for Hospitality, Tourism and Sports Management and has served as Chair of the annual NYU International Hospitality Industry Investment Conference in New York City for sixteen consecutive years. Jonathan Tisch founded and served as Chairman of the Travel Business Roundtable from 1995-2008. TBR merged in January 2009 with the Travel Industry Association to create the US Travel Association, of which he serves as Chairman Emeritus.

The dialogue with Mr. Tisch, moderated by Lalia Rach – divisional Dean & HVS professor at New York University, was informal almost like talking with friends.

Mr. Tisch talked about his family history and their place in the US travel and hospitality industry. He mentioned the recession and added that some of the reasons of this downturn set the course for the economic trends that are now in place. Mr. Tisch thinks that the real question/challenge of our industry is what the new normal is going to be. The whole definition of value is at stake. How do we sell and market value in this economy?

As an NYU alumna, I have always admired Mr. Tisch for his contribution to the school and the industry I belong to, but there is always something new about him, something inspirational. He is involved in many different business transactions on a daily basis, but he finds the time to talk to the students. He fully understands that the future stands in the younger generations and seems to genuinely care about this. He calls each and every one to make the difference in the world. In his new book Citizen You: Doing Your Part to Change the World, Mr. Tisch calls for active citizenship. He does his part and truly believes that anybody can contribute.