Why I Feel Route 66 Will Survive

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Why, I feel our world, countries, communities and my beloved Route 66 will not only survive but flourish once we are allowed to get back on track after the crisis of 2020.

By Jim Conkle

It has been said that the Route 66 Community is a microcosm of the world at large. It is local and regional, as well as national and international. It’s made up of people, languages, customs and traditions that span ages and backgrounds, all coming together with many common interests. They are:

  • A love of open spaces
  • Interesting people and places
  • Shared passions
  • A need to explore
  • And, add memories to our lives.

The mood, attitude and consensus of the people who own, work and volunteer at locations along The Road is not of despair or failure but of positive expectations for the future. That is, only if they are allowed to move beyond this crisis and set their own courses. Yes, 2020 is lost for visiting international tour groups, an element that plays a significant part of the economy on The Road.

For people that live within a couple hundred miles from The Road and have never thought of visiting what may be thought of just another U.S. highway, perhaps now is the time to discover what they are missing. A road trip down U.S. 66 and/or visiting the sites along the way, are like virtually thumbing through a history book of the United States.

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There has been talk of a new government stimulus specifically for kick starting the hospitality industry by offering funding for Americans to get out and see America. Perhaps this would motivate small groups or families to get out and they would be a welcome infusion to local economies. This wouldn’t replace our foreign visitors, but it would allow many of our Mom & Pop businesses to survive.

The Travel & Tourism Industry needs to come back strong, or even better, stronger than before. Travelers need to feel safe as well as entertained. This seems to be getting addressed by each State, as well as local regions, along the Mother Road.

We want the world to know we, the Route 66 businesses, are open and ready to make your travels a success.

WE ARE OPEN FOR BUSINESS!