Corporate Travel Service Doubles Travelers Since 9-11 By Giving People a Reason to Travel

Contact: David DiFranco, Corporate Travel Service, 313-565-8888 ext 166, ddifranco@ctscentral.net

DEARBORN, Mich., July 15, 2014 /Christian Newswire/ -- "It's not just about going places, it's about the experience," according to John Hale, president of Corporate Travel Service, in Dearborn, MI. So when educational field trips to Washington, D.C. ceased after the September 11 terrorist attack, and Michigan experienced a prolonged recession, Corporate Travel began to customize the travel experience.

They began to create themed cruises such as a J.R.R. Tolkien trip, and the Grand Ole Opry cruise across the Eastern Caribbean with top country artists. Music festivals have been created at such places as Carnegie Hall, Sydney Opera House and throughout Europe for community and school choir groups. Pilgrimages were designed, not just as visits to holy places, but as personal interactive encounters, such as a tour to the canonization of Pope John Paul II where Gianna Molla, daughter of St. Gianna, the last saint canonized by this pope, came to spend private time with the pilgrims.

"Many travel businesses have come and gone since my father-in-law Joseph DiFranco founded this company fifty years ago," Hale said in an interview. In the face of challenges, he changed the way the company looked at travel. "My father-in-law was a great innovator," Hale said. "He found ways to make travel experiences relevant. One criteria we have is to be a positive influence and help build a culture that contributes to art, religion, music, and education." Thus, Corporate Travel started creating events to give people a reason to travel. For instance, when educational tours to Washington D.C. were prohibited after the events of September 11th, and Corporate Travel's airplane charters to the Capital dropped from 50 in 2001 to 1 in 2002, Corporate Travel adapted by creating: "Discovery at the Grand." This event offered a new option to learn about history and government at the historic Grand Hotel on Mackinac Island, MI. It has become a highly popular interactive field trip, where students stay at the hotel, experience history, listen to guest speakers, and even waltz on the ballroom floor.

In spite of setbacks in the business climate, Corporate Travel has doubled their number of travelers since 2001 and doubled revenue since 2008. To celebrate their success, they have put together an extremely affordable Italy anniversary trip to mark their beginning in 1965 for, fittingly, $1,965. It will include Roman landmarks such as Trevi Fountain, the Pantheon, and an exclusive, after hours tour of the Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel.