Attitude. Now there is a word. We love being around people with a great attitude. It is uplifting, inspirational and contagious. It is something good and positive and worthy of being spread about as much as possible. It is something desirable to have. When you have a great attitude, you physically feel good. When you have a great attitude, others feel good.

On the other hand, a negative attitude is worth avoiding at all costs. You certainly don’t want it in your business. It can spiral downward, bringing employees and customers to a place no one wants to be.  
Airlines often seem to have an attitude. Many of their decisions seem to be contrary to good customer service. Archaic pricing models seem designed for a regulatory environment that is no longer relevant. There is an attitude that they can do whatever they want, they’re a big airline, they rule, and the government won’t let them go away. Some of their employees can get a bad attitude just dealing with the frustrations of working for the airline. Fortunately, there are many examples of great attitude from airline employees in spite of the work environment, people who say they can solve a problem and do. Otherwise, flying would be just one huge nightmare.
Of course, customers can have an attitude. We don’t want to be like that, but attitudes are contagious, and can be both good and bad. Everyone has an occasional bad day, but being aware of what attitude you are projecting is the key to getting it under control and becoming positive again, setting an example.
What does this have to do with travel? Everything. Your whole travel experience can be a wonderful event if approached with a positive attitude. Those little hiccups that are inevitable, if allowed to, can ruin your whole trip. Careful planning can minimize potential problems, but who can anticipate the weather? If your favorite bistro in Paris is closed for renovations when you are there, think of it as an opportunity to discover your new favorite bistro. A glitch in your reservation and now you are stuck in a middle seat on the airplane? It too shall pass. And that crying child, relentlessly wailing away? A good attitude is a must. The little guy can’t help it. Maybe an offer to help the beleaguered parent can make a positive difference. The point is, traveling is a complicated process with opportunities for many things to go awry. Just don’t let it make you crazy.
Your attitude will also come into play as we fight our way out of these recessionary times. You need a good attitude, and you need to make it contagious. When someone asks how your business is going, they are looking for reassurance. They are being bombarded daily with negative reports from the media. There is always something positive you can talk about, and that is what you need to focus on with your response. We need to lift others up. They need to lift you up. Together, by lifting each other up we will climb out of the hole and see a brighter future for all. 

		Michael Jackman is president of International Tours, a full- service travel agency, and president of GalaxSea Cruises, specializing in cruise vacations. Both offices are located in Okemos.  A 19-year veteran of the travel industry, Jackman has received many awards and designations including master cruise counselor by the Cruise Lines International Association.