Letters
Travel and Tourism
Dear Editor:
As I read the “Educating the Cruise Industry” article (May 2007) I was surprised that a [cruise] line known throughout the cruise industry as entry level was referring to its services as luxury. As the president of All For You Travel, which specializes in premium and luxury all-inclusive vacations for African-Americans, I would like to explain what luxury travel is. Luxury travel provides personalized service and a drastic upgrade in amenities and cuisine compared to the norm. It is surprisingly affordable. Luxury vacations consist of smaller, boutique cruise lines and high-end resorts that have less crowds and a higher staff to guest ratio than an entry-level vacation. A luxury vacation is typically an all-inclusive product, thus the initial price will be higher than others. However, you save money by not having to pay for everything as on most vacations. African-Americans are a small but growing segment of the luxury travel market.
Kwesi Joseph
President, All For You Travel
Brooklyn, N.Y.
PR and Marketing
Dear Editor:
The March 2007 issue is powerful as always. However, in your list of African-American-owned PR and marketing firms, you missed my colleague’s information, Stephanie Francis, CEO and founder of Magnum Opus Public Relations, whose sole mission and purpose is to represent Harlem.
Tilsa Wright
New York City
Dear Editor:
I saw your feature article on my company (March 2007) and I absolutely love it! Your writer and I talked about so many things that he could have gone in a half-dozen different directions. How he zeroed in on the heart of the story was a joy to see. The issue is a very special one, so we’re very proud to be featured in it. I can’t thank you enough for your very hard work and due diligence. But, most of all, we thank you for recognizing something worthwhile in what we are doing.
Rudy Gaskins
Executive Creative
Director, Push Creative Inc.
New York City
Mover and Shaker
Dear Editor:
I have been a reader of The Network Journal for about three years and find it filled with insightful information and new faces that are helping to shape our country and our cities. I would like to bring your attention to Desiree Peterkin Bell, director of communications for the new Mayor of Newark, Cory Booker. As a longtime resident of the city of Newark, I've been here throughout the riots, through [former mayors] Ken Gibson and the Sharpe James. For the first time I think Newark is on the right track. The mayor has really brought some talent in the city who are committed and vested in the community. Desiree is one of those people. She's really making changes in Newark that need to be highlighted. I can say that as a true Newarker.
Sandra Dee
Newark, N.J.
