Top 10 Cities to Travel to Right Now

 

 

Each year MasterCard’s Global Destination Cities Index takes an in-depth look into visitor volume during the previous year, provides a growth forecast analysis for the current year as well as reviews the average length of stay and dollar amount spent to rank their Global Destination Cities List. Here are the Top 10 Cities for 2018.

10 Seoul, South Korea

9.54 Million International Overnight Visitors

As the business and cultural hub of South Korea, Seoul combines an innovative city feel with authentic Buddhist history. While you’re there, visit the Myeong-dong shopping district or Gyeongbokgung Palace.

9. Istanbul, Turkey

10.70 Million International Overnight Visitors

Built on two continents and divided by the Bosphorus Straight, Instanbul is considered the European Capital of Culture. Be sure to check out the incredible Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia Museum or one of the other historic monuments.

8. Tokyo Japan

11.93 Million International Overnight Visitors

Next up to host the 2020 Olympics, Tokyo continues to grow and attract visitors. A couple must do items for your list include visiting the towering observation deck, Tokyo Skytree, or the fun for all ages, Tokyo Disneyland.

7. Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

12.58 Million International Overnight Visitors

As the capital of Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur has several districts, but its main hub, the Golden Triangle, is recognized for several must see attractions: the world’s tallest twin skyscrapers, Petalin Street Flea Market, and the 400 million year old Batu Caves.

6. New York City, USA

13.13 Million International Overnight Visitors

Comprised of five boroughs each boasting their own expansive arts and culture scenes, history, and mystique, while you’re visiting The Big Apple, be sure to check out Times Square and the Empire State Building.

5. Singapore, Malaysia

13.91 Million International Overnight Visitors

Touted as Southeast Asia’s most modern city, Singapore, while small in size, effortlessly blends a unique ethnic dynamic. During your stay, climb the Tiger Sky Tower for panoramic views that can stretch as far as Indonesia.

4. Dubai, U.A.E.

15.79 Million International Overnight Visitors

Known for its warm hospitality and opulent lifestyle, Dubai features year-round sunshine, beautiful beaches, and fascinating attractions including the iconic 160-story skyscraper and observation deck, Burj Khalifa and the palm shaped island of Palm Jumeirah.

3. Paris, France

17.44 Million International Overnight Visitors

Known as the City of Lights, the capital of France is a global hotspot for art, gastronomy, fashion, architecture and culture. Of course, while you’re there you must see the infamous Eiffel Tower, but also make some time for the lesser known gems of the city like the panoramic terrace at the top of the Printemps department store.

2. London, UK

19.83 Million International Overnight Visitors

Situated on the River Thames with one of the largest metropolitan area GDPs in the world, sits London, the capital and most populous city of England and the United Kingdom. Big Ben, the London Eye and Tower Bridge are sure to be landmarks worth exploring.

1. Bangkok, Thailand

20.05 Million International Overnight Visitors

A true tourist paradise, Bangkok is a jumble of exotic, fun, and majesty that you won’t find anywhere else. Be sure to explore the city’s hot spots and historical sites, such as the Grand Palace and Chatuchak Market.

 

  A Thankful Memorial Day

 

We at Galactic, wish you a “Thankful Memorial Day.”

We wish to thank all US and allied service members who have given the ultimate sacrifice to protect and defend our great nation. 

We also wish to thank the families and friends of those service members as well.  Your loved one will not be forgotten, and we are grateful for them every day, not just this Memorial day.

God bless them all, and God bless the United States of America.

 

Gary Cornwell

President

Galactic Companies

  

  MLK Day

 

As we were reflecting on this day of unity, Martin Luther King Day, we happened across an article written by Kurt Wilkin which sums up our thoughts completely. I will let Kurt and MLK take it from here:

 

What’s your definition of a great leader? One of my favorites is from Rosalynn Carter who distinguishes a leader from great leader:

“A leader takes people where they want to go. A great leader takes people where they don't necessarily want to go, but ought to be.”

Based on that definition and looking back over the past 50 years, I think we can all agree that Martin Luther King, Jr. was a great leader. We can learn a lot from Dr. King and his legacy.

You see, one of the key attributes of a great leader is a strong vision. And Dr. King had a vision. A vision for an ideal America, an ideal America that was a far cry from the reality of the day.

If you are old enough to remember the summer of 1968, you will remember that America was not only deeply divided but also racially segregated, by the laws of the day. Dr. King's vision for people of all races to live, work and play together seemed almost laughable. And 50 years later, while much remains to be done, it seems to me that progress has been made towards achieving his vision.

Today, Monday, January 15th we honor Dr. King and his vision for America with a national holiday. Few are more deserving of such an honor. Dr. King is probably most remembered for his “I Have a Dream" speech, delivered one summer day in 1968 in Washington D.C. In this speech, he painted a picture of his ideal America. He powerfully anchored his vision to well-known documents from our nation’s life and history.

“I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed: “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal.”

He continued describing his vision of the future with language that could only be imagined as fantasy that day in 1968, but which has come closer to becoming real as we near the speech’s 50th anniversary:

“I have a dream that one day on the red hills of Georgia, the sons of former slaves and the sons of former slave owners will be able to sit down together at a table of brotherhood. I have a dream that my four children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character…I have a dream that one day…little black boys and black girls will be able to join hands with little white boys and white girls and walk together as sisters and brothers.

Wow – what a picture! He went on to tie his vision to a bedrock of American patriotism, and to national physical landmarks by quoting the iconic anthem, My Country, Tis of Thee:

“Let freedom ring from the snowcapped Rockies of Colorado! Let freedom ring from the curvaceous peaks of California! Let freedom ring from Stone Mountain of Georgia. Let freedom ring from Lookout Mountain of Tennessee. Let freedom ring from every hill and every molehill of Mississippi. From every mountainside, let freedom ring.”

And finally, Dr. King brought everyone together and urged a united front against tyranny and oppression:

“When we let freedom ring, when we let it ring from every village and every hamlet, from every state and every city, we will be able to speed up that day when all of God’s children, black men and white men, Jews and Gentiles, Protestants and Catholics, will be able to join hands and sing, in the words of the old Negro spiritual, ‘Free at last! Free at last! Thank God Almighty, we are free at last!’”

The picture Dr. King painted was poignant and prophetic. His speech was predominantly about the Civil Rights Movement and about equal treatment of blacks. But on that day in our nation’s Capital, almost 25% of the crowd, or 60,000 people, were white. Dr. King transcended color. His memory continues to inspire us – black and white – almost 50 years after his death. He continues to inspire this white businessman – a man who grew up in South Louisiana, went to college at the University of Arkansas and now calls Austin, Texas home – this white businessman, who has a little bit of redneck, Cajun and hillbilly all rolled up into one!

Thank you Dr. King. Thank you for your leadership. Thank you for your vision. Thank you for standing up for what you believe in. Thank you for preaching and living nonviolence. Thank you for inspiring generations to stand for equality.

You and I don’t have to be world leaders or elected to office to make a positive impact on our little slice of the world. And it doesn’t take a Herculean effort or an act of Congress to make an impact. Simply shift your mind and do what is right.

What is your vision? Where are you leading your business, family, community? Your vision and leadership can change the world. Use your power for good.

 

 

 

-Galactic

  

  Fall is in the air...

 

Fall is in the air……..and helping hands are everywhere

I’m sitting here with a brace on my arm, typing somewhat one handed.  But I’m as excited as a man with only the full use of one arm can be about the time of year.  I love being outside, and the Texas heat can put limitations on that, but when we have days like today that top out in the low to mid 70’s, I am a VERY happy man.  The thing that is unusual for me this year is having to ask for help with some of the things that I have taken for granted over the years.  Something as simple as opening a bottle of BBQ sauce as we fire up the smoker requires assistance (I tore my right arm bicep tendon loose, and I am right handed).  Assistance, though something I need right now, is NOT something that I like to ask for.  I hate it, actually.  But right now, that is the way it has to be.  My sons are getting a kick out of it.  They are helping.  They are even cooking some things on their own.  At the end of the day, my injury might have been what I needed in order to allow them to spread their wings a little bit more.  My beautiful wife is getting a kick out of harassing me about it, and about not following doctor’s orders.  So it is definitely a fun time for her.   

I was sitting on the back porch with the dogs and it hit me how close this is to some of the things that we “help” with at Galactic.  Many hands make light work, as my grandmother used to say.  The team members here at Galactic are definitely helping to take care of me during my recovery time.  And I can assure you that they can and will do the same for your organization when the time comes that you need a helping hand or hands with your incentive or loyalty platform needs.  I am very proud of the serving hearts that populate this company. 

Let us know how we can help you.  Even if that is just by giving you some advice that might confirm your direction. 

 

Until then, have a great day and go see the world.

-Gary