Rocky Mountaineer CEO Talks COVID-19 Impact, US Expansion, Sustainability Efforts

Because the journey world continues to get well from the devastating influence of the coronavirus pandemic, Canadian rail-tour firm Rocky Mountaineer has led by instance and helped set the tone for the way the rail trade ought to transfer ahead into the longer term.

In January, Rocky Mountaineer welcomed David McKenna as the brand new President and Chief Government Officer. He spoke to TravelPulse a few multitude of matters, together with the corporate’s long-term targets, the influence of coronavirus, sustainability initiatives, range efforts and extra.

Right here is the total Q&A session with McKenna:

TravelPulse (TP): Rocky Mountaineer welcomed you as the brand new President and Chief Government Officer on January 4. What are your short-term plans for the corporate and what are a few of your long-term targets as you carry the rail model right into a post-pandemic world?

David McKenna (DM): I’m thrilled to be a part of this unimaginable group. Rocky Mountaineer is really an iconic journey model and I look ahead to being a part of its thrilling future. My short-term plans are targeted on recovering the enterprise from the influence of the pandemic. The highest precedence is caring for our individuals. The previous two years have been difficult for everybody working in tourism and hospitality. I’m targeted on doing no matter I can to help the well being, well-being, and engagement of our group members. We’re additionally trying to recruit new individuals to affix us in rebuilding the enterprise and we’ve some very thrilling and fascinating roles to fill. Individuals who want to construct expertise, acquire expertise, and drive profession progress expertise ought to severely take into account employment in tourism as we emerge from the pandemic.

As a group, we’re intently targeted on the journey season forward. Our gross sales are pacing nicely with a number of dates already at or close to capability, and we look ahead to the primary trains departing in April. Our group will proceed to ship the unimaginable onboard service Rocky Mountaineer is understood for, whereas additionally at all times making certain the protection and luxury of our visitors all through their journey. Our immense preparation for the season forward is so visitors can board the practice to chill out and benefit from the expertise understanding that we’ve taken care of the whole lot.

The longer-term aim is to construct on our expertise in Western Canada and proceed to develop our choices to showcase new locations. Step one on this progress was the launch of the brand new route between Denver, Colorado, and Moab, Utah final yr, and there might be extra to return. Over the previous 30-plus years, Rocky Mountaineer has grown to develop into a frontrunner in Canada’s tourism panorama and the overarching technique is to develop into a worldwide chief in tourism with a set of compelling, memorable experiences to supply vacationers worldwide.

TP: Final yr, Rocky Mountaineer debuted its inaugural U.S. route between Denver, Colorado, and Moab, Utah. Are there future plans for additional U.S. enlargement and which locations—American or Canadian—would you want so as to add to the corporate’s portfolio?

DM: This can be a nice query and my response, at this level, is to remain tuned. We had been extremely happy with how the 2021 preview season of the brand new Rockies to the Pink Rocks route went and we look ahead to constructing on this success for the yr forward. The group is contemplating quite a few choices for additional enlargement, all of which require additional work earlier than we might be ready to share extra.

What we do know is that wherever we develop to subsequent, will provide iconic pure vistas which are greatest skilled by practice just like our beloved journeys in Western Canada and within the American Southwest. This contains compelling surroundings, distinctive landscapes, welcoming communities, and engaging locations that may attraction to vacationers from around the globe.

TP: Like the remainder of journey, the rail trade has been coping with the influence of the Omicron variant of coronavirus. Out of your perspective, how has Rocky Mountaineer dealt with the rising variety of confirmed COVID circumstances and what measures are in place to safeguard passengers?

DM: When our first practice departs from Denver on April 17, will probably be with the well being and security of these onboard on the forefront of each motion. We are going to proceed with the in depth protocols we put in place final season to offer a protected, comfy ambiance for our visitors. Along with thorough and common cleansing and sanitization procedures, all our group members might be vaccinated, and everybody might be required to put on masks when transferring across the rail vehicles. Moreover, our rail vehicles are geared up with high-end air filtration methods to make sure regular consumption, filtering, and circulation of recent air. Our visitors could be assured we’ve prioritized their well being and security, to allow them to get pleasure from their travels in full consolation.

TP: What are some sustainability efforts being made by Rocky Mountaineer and the rail trade as an entire to make it extra environmentally pleasant?

DM: As an organization, our dedication to sustainability focuses on defending the areas we journey by way of, utilizing assets correctly as we function our enterprise, and supporting the communities the place we reside, work, and journey by way of.

We purpose to lower our influence on the surroundings by lowering waste and carbon emissions. We’ve a aim to divert 90% of waste from landfill by 2023 and we’re nicely on our strategy to attaining this by way of use of reusable tableware, composting, and recycling. We’ve additionally partnered on a analysis undertaking that’s exploring the feasibility of other gasoline sources for the practice, which is an thrilling prospect for the longer term.

We empower our group members to help causes which are most vital to them by way of group fundraising actions and volunteering of their communities. We additionally help a number of organizations annually which have missions to guard nature and wildlife, enhance meals safety, and honor native tradition in communities.

We all know our group members wish to be pleased with the corporate’s dedication to sustainability, and our visitors are in search of journey choices which have a constructive influence on the planet. Rocky Mountaineer’s dedication to sustainability is long-standing and can at all times be an integral a part of this firm’s future.

TP: What efforts are being made by Rocky Mountaineer because it pertains to range, fairness and inclusion?

DM: We consider that sustainability is just not potential with out range, fairness and inclusion. This begins with our inside ardour to draw, recruit, practice, and empower group members. It’s about making certain all group members have entry to the instruments, assets, and help they should excel.

That is additionally about making certain the financial influence and different advantages tourism brings communities could be skilled by all residents, with an intentional effort to achieve those that are under-represented and traditionally marginalized. We work with companies, organizations and associations within the communities the place we function on methods to help these efforts.

Onboard the trains, our group is dedicated to offering an expertise that’s accessible and inclusive for visitors, and reflective of the vastly various communities we journey by way of. Rocky Mountaineer has a possibility to share with our visitors the tales of the individuals and locations that make the areas the place we journey so particular. Our onboard hosts take delight in sharing significant tales of the individuals, cultures, and communities that proceed to form and affect the areas. We wish to do our half in showcasing the unimaginable areas we’re lucky to name dwelling and guarantee they’re welcoming for all individuals.

Our efforts to drive range, fairness, and inclusion are under no circumstances full. We proceed to hunt out methods to replicate the varied and inclusive world all of us try for throughout all facets of our operations, from advertising and marketing and content material creation to individuals applications and the end-to-end visitor expertise. Above all else, we welcome conversations with the communities the place we work, reside and journey, and we search to study extra about how we will do higher and be higher.