Now it was budget time, and Peter wanted me to not only work with my assigned offices, but also to assist him with the budgets for Miami, Boston, Buffalo and Washington. Budgeting was often a guessing game. The revenue side was based on the history of the previous year with a prediction for the current year. The cost side was always "where can you cut costs" or "why do you anticipate a cost increase". A year or two earlier, KLM had a study done on the "Future of air travel" outside of the regular travel agency sales. One of their predictions was an increase in "Group Travel" from company employee clubs, University "Study groups" especially from language and history student, and also "religious groups" planning to visit the Holy Land. I was very successful in developing business from these sources. For instance, I was able to interest the University of Hartford in starting "French language study tours at the "Institute d'Etudes Francaises, at the University de Poitiers, in Tours, France. My contacts for these groups were Dr. Irving Starr, Dean of Admissions and John Balmer, Professor of Arts. These University of Hartford Study Groups were always sold out and KLM was always the preferred carrier. Even after I left Hartford for New York, I kept up my contacts with the University for over five years. I also developed some religious travel through a Polish lady and her Parish Priest for a yearly visit to Lourdes, France. These were large groups of up to fifty people each. I also developed several "Incentive Groups" for Chrysler Motors and the Auto Owners Insurance Company.
Because of my success in developing group business, Peter Silton and Luke Asjes wanted me to work with the district offices in their development of this business. So, when budget time rolled around, I was expected to encourage the local offices to budget for exploration of group travel. Some of the district offices did very well and I was often asked to accompany them to some local University or meet with a local religious leader. However, some of the managers were hard to convince. Once we got them to do this, it was amazing how much more revenue they were able to generate by getting out and "prospecting".
It was in October of '65 that I had a special surprise for the kids. We took a trip to Jamaica for a week, from Oct 29 to Sept. 4th. . Both Kirby and Karen have their birthdays in September, so we decided to celebrate them at this beautiful island. Actually it was more for Karen as she was born on Sept. first, and Kirby was born on the 23rd. . We arranged with the hotel to put on a special party for Karen. They decorated a dinner table with little flowers all around the edge plus lovely flowers in the center. The Hotel Chef baked a wonderful cake; it was truly a masterpiece. We had a wonderful birthday celebration.
I had to cut our visit short, because I received a phone call from Peter that I had to accompany an "agents' study tour" to Scandinavia. The agent who was to escort the tour fell ill and they wanted me to take his place.
As soon as we arrived back home on Saturday, it was time to leave again for New York, where I would be leaving for my tour to Scandinavia, with twenty five travel agents from all over the USA. This familiarization tour was organized by the Scandinavian Travel Agency in New York. The travel agency's manager met me at the Kennedy Airport, gave me $250.00 to cover any expenses not include in the tour. He called the agents together and said "This is Ray Kitchener from KLM, he's going to be your tour escort." That was my introduction to the group. The itinerary was great. We were to spend three nights in Amsterdam, two days in Bergen, Norway, two days in Stalheim, by overnight boat up a beautiful Fjord, two days in Flam, four days in Oslo, four nights in Rattivk, three nights in Stockholm, three days in Copenhagen, then back to Amsterdam for a couple of days, and then back to New York; a 23 day journey. I was a little tired, however I learned a lot about Scandinavia: Norway was impressive, with its beautiful Fiords and waterfalls. We visited the birth place of Grieg, the most famous Norwegian classical music composer (I actually sat at his piano!). Grieg and his wife are buried in Bergen, on the side of a mountain. Every day, that spot on the mountain, gets the final rays of the setting sun. Denmark was beautiful, with its lovely gardens and, of course, the Little Mermaid. Everyone loved Copenhagen; it is such a beautiful city.
The Agency that planned the trip did a great job. Practically everything was included: tour guides, hotels, meals etc. About all I had to do was to be sure everything went well and the agents were happy. I made many friends among the travel agents. Out of the $250.00 the Agency had given me, I gave a farewell dinner at one of Amsterdam's famous Indonesian restaurants. The group presented me with a beautiful crystal decanter that my daughter Kathy still has in her home.
Back in New York, I was ready for a day off, but duty called. Our manager in Buffalo had to go into the hospital and would be out for two weeks. I was asked to" Shuffle off to Buffalo" and cover for him for the two weeks. I often say, "Yes, I know Buffalo, I spent about a year there".That's how long those two weeks felt.
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