Around the World in 24 Days

     Any regular reader of this blog probably knows that I am a reader of the Wall Street Journal. It is indispensable resource to me as professor in the School of Business and Nonprofit Management at North Park University. I read it almost every day and clip articles for use in all my classes. I share current news stories that exemplify what we are covering in class. This really helps drive the concepts home.
     The Journal is the primary news source for business professionals in the US. It is one of the few newspapers to thrive in this internet age. They were the first newspaper that I know of that was able to successfully establish and sell subscriptions for online access. One of the reasons this was possible was because their reader base is more affluent and thus can afford it. Also, the quality of the writing, reporting, and quality coverage of all things business has made it the Journal de riguer for business men and women.
     Given the affluence of their subscribers, the products advertised include pricey luxury goods. There are ads for high end watches and executive clothing. While I am a subscriber and reader, I am at the low end of their readership in terms of affluence. There is little chance that I will ever spend $1,500 for a suitcase, $2,000 for a pen, $70K for a watch, $3,000 for a suit, or $5M for a vacation home. While these kinds of items are certainly pricey, they are “normal,” run of the mill, ads in the Journal. I am used to them.
     Yesterday, May 31, there was an ad that did surprise me. The National Geographic Society has a subsidiary called National Geographic Expeditions. They advertised “An Extraordinary Journey by Private Jet.” The expedition is being called “The Future of Everything.” It is a twenty-four-day trip that will take place May 15 – June 7, 2020. Every two days the tour group is moves to a different global locale to “experience ancient traditions and meet the innovators determining what’s next for our planet.” The trip begins in Seattle and ends up in Boston. In between, the stops are in Japan, Korea, China, Mongolia, Uzbekistan, Estonia, Finland, and Iceland. No more detail was provided in the advertisement but more is provided on www.natgeoexpeditions.com/wjs as well five other trips.
     The private jet? It is a specially configured 757 for 75 passengers versus the normal 233. There will be an executive chef and a dedicated tour physician aboard. Oddly, they didn’t mention a thing about the inflight entertainment options.
     The cost for The Future of Everything Expedition: $92,795 for double occupancy and $102,045 for single occupancy. For all this money, the traveler is still responsible for getting to Seattle and back home from Boston.
     This sounds like an amazing trip. It is certainly pricey, but that is what amazing costs. Would I want to participate? Absolutely! Unless I win the lottery in the next few months, this expedition is outside my budget. The North Park School of Business and Nonprofit Management International Experience trip is much more my speed.