Travel Weekly Q & A with Maid of the Mist President Christopher Glynn

By Alexandra Coulton

The president Maid of the Mist Corp. took us on a virtual tour of Niagara Falls. He said the raincoat and buckets of water were not necessary, but we beg to differ.

What’s your main goal for this year?

Our main goal is a continuation of our positive business recovery as we work our way out of the pandemic. We have found sustained growth in our leisure visitors over the past two seasons. There continues, however, to be a significant lag in the group market, which was expected. We anticipate another year before the group market shows meaningful signs of recovery for Niagara Falls.

Through it all, our guests from around the world tell us they really enjoy the new experience on our cutting-edge all-electric, zero-emission vessels, the James V. Glynn and Nikola Tesla, which were placed into service late in the 2020 season.

What’s your favourite thing about working in the travel industry?

The reaction of our millions of visitors as they come face to face with one of the world’s most famous and impressive natural wonders. For many, Niagara Falls and the Maid of the Mist is a bucket list item, and we are happy to be able to participate in an activity that is so important to them on a personal level.

How do you like to spend your free time?

I love to get outdoors and enjoy spending my free time golfing and skiing.

Have you managed to do any travelling since restrictions began to ease (domestic or international)?

We took a family trip skiing in Utah in January of 2022, as well as a Florida holiday. And we are taking a trip with our young children to Legoland in New York State next month – it just opened last year in Hudson Valley, and we are so excited to check it out.

What’s your favourite travel company, besides the one you work for?

Micato Safaris. They are a luxury safari company that runs tours in Africa and India. Like the Maid of the Mist Corporation, they are a family-run business and are very much focused on innovative offerings that amplify the guest experience.

If you could invite three famous guests (dead or alive) to a dinner party, who would you choose?

Winston Churchill, Vincent Van Gogh, and Josh Allen (quarterback for the Buffalo Bills National Football League team, which is the local team where I live). I think the conversation around the table would be unique!

What’s something positive you’ve witnessed or experienced since the global pandemic hit?

During the height of the crisis, I witnessed a lot of neighbours helping neighbours. That was refreshing.

What’s your advice for others in the travel industry on coping with the global pandemic?

Be patient and have the ability on an operational level to plan for, and to quickly adapt to, the constantly changing and unpredictable circumstances created by the Pandemic that may significantly impact your ability to operate on short notice.

What book and/or TV show can you not get enough of lately?

Ted Lasso. Its portrayal of the importance of kindness is such an important message. Plus, it’s funny.

This article originally appeared in Australia-based Travel Weekly.