The Houston hurricane: A travel agent’s view
HOUSTON – If you feel you’re having a tough day in the office, as all those young bankers from Lehman Bros call to cancel their trips because they’re no longer in a job, have some sympathy for your colleague in Texas, where Hurricane Ike recently paid an unwelcome visit.
In a letter to his clients, R. Alan Fox, chairman & CEO of Vacations To Go, explained the challenges the company is facing to carry on with business as usual.
He writes,
“Vacations To Go has reopened following Hurricane Ike’s rampage through Texas. Our hearts and prayers are with those who have lost loved ones, homes and businesses.
“There is a city-wide curfew in effect for the remainder of the week that will shorten our hours of operation to 7am-8pm. We will expand to regular hours next week.
“As I write this, many of our 500 employees are displaced from their homes and some are dealing with catastrophic damage. More than 75 percent of Houston is still without power and the damage to homes and buildings is horrendous.
“Our headquarters and reservations centre sustained only minor damage and we are fully operational, while the roof collapsed on the office building immediately next door and it appears to be a total loss.
“All of our web sites are up, though the 40-story facility that houses them is currently powered by generators and intermittent interruptions are still possible for the next few days, until electricity has been restored to that area.
“There is an Ike-sized effort underway to bring the city back to normal, including thousands of out-of-state energy workers who are already on the ground helping to restore power. Welcome to Texas!
“It’s hard to travel far with the street lights out and so many roads closed by fallen trees and power lines, but I can attest that west Houston is a beehive of activity, neighbours helping neighbours and chainsaws roaring.
There is much work to do but no doubt that the folks here are up to it.
We are thankful for the patience and understanding of all who tried to reach us while Vacations To Go and the city were shut down.
Indeed, we are just thankful to be here.
Sincerely,
R. Alan Fox
Ian Jarrett
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