Charlie Clifford, co-founder of Tumi Luggage and a current director and co-founder of ROAM Luggage, is no newbie to the travel industry.

After all, ever since he created Tumi in the 1970s, he’s spent his days thinking about the business of travel — and what products we, as travelers, need to do it well.

Although he’s no longer at Tumi, Clifford hasn’t left the world of luggage. But his latest venture, ROAM, is decidedly different from its predecessor; rather than featuring the “black-on-black" luggage trend that Tumi is famous for, ROAM puts an emphasis on bright colors, made-in-the-U.S.A. manufacturing and full suitcase customization, even down to the trim, zippers and wheels.

In this episode of Humans of Travel, Clifford details his early life, from his upbringing in rural New Jersey to his first international adventure — a two-year term in the Peace Corps in Peru that opened his eyes to the wider world, and eventually sparked the idea for Tumi Luggage.

He'll also give listeners an inside look at the struggles of building a business from the ground up, and how he overcame the challenges in the travel industry (economic recessions, 9/11 and the like) along the way.

RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE

ROAM Luggage

ROAM Luggage on Instagram

ABOUT YOUR HOST 

Emma Weissmann is the Digital Managing Editor of TravelAge West, a print and online magazine for travel advisors based in the Western U.S. She is also the co-host of Trade Secrets, a podcast created with sister publication Travel Weekly. 

TravelAge West also produces national trade publications Explorer and Family Getaways, as well as events including the Future Leaders in Travel Retreat, Global Travel Marketplace West, the WAVE Awards gala and the Napa Valley Leadership Forum. 

ABOUT THE SHOW 

TravelAge West’s podcast, “Humans of Travel,” features conversations with exceptional people who have compelling stories to tell. Listeners will hear from the travel industry’s notable authorities, high-profile executives, travel advisors and rising stars as they share the experiences — the highs and the lows — that make them human. 

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