There was a time when a tour operator provided stress-free travel for individuals and groups needing assistance. During that period, detailed itineraries informed arrival and departure times, seating assignments, and delivered a myriad of other computer-generated documentations. Here in New York, Alken Travel/Appel Tours ensured services to predominantly Caribbean nationals burdened by the process. Helmed by an individual named Alfred F. Lawrence, who allegedly founded the company in 1969, the Brooklyn-based agent aligned with American Americans for an unprecedented, exclusive partnership that guaranteed him a percentage of ticket sales.

Lawrence prospered.

His brainchild emerged as the most significant Black-owned travel business.

Alken/Appel thrived, becoming the trailblazing venture that no other minority agent accomplished.

Lawrence advertised with WLIB-AM, the then only Black-owned broadcast medium. He secured full-page sponsorships to concert events in print publications and eventually emerged as the go-to address for travel bookings.

Lawrence won community trust and business, expanding his company to prosperous establishments in three boroughs and branches in Florida.

Ultimately, Lawrence died, leaving his daughter Patricia to continue her father’s tradition.

Named President and chief executive officer, Pat booked clients for leisure travel, funerals, vacations, video shoots, business meetings, corporate engagements, Sting, Reggae Sumfest, Air Jamaica Jazz & Blues Festival, Jamaica carnival, St. Lucia Jazz fest, the first international jazz festival in Cape Coast, Ghana and even the Long Beach, California annual birthday tribute to reggae king, Bob Marley.

Her AA signature dominated the travel landscape by attracting passengers and loyalists to many premiere events throughout the diaspora and beyond.

Often accompanied by staffers attending many events, Patricia made personal associations with clients who became friends.

Ultimately, the benefactor married Noel Haughton, a former frequent flyer.

Together, they forged furtherance to the legacy bequeathed by Al Lawrence.

At a juncture, the couple attempted to settle in West Palm Beach, Florida. However, a yearning from Brooklyn seemed to lure them back to the Nostrand Ave. location they were both familiar with.

Later in the 90s, the company downsized.

Declining sales from record label executives, artists, and ordinary diasporans proved elusive when the internet provisions opened online gateway bookings.

In addition, discounted fees and attractive bargains replaced old-fashioned practices provided by travel agents.

Last month, despite prevailing turbulence and pain, Lawrence celebrated Caribbean heritage with elite industry colleagues, associates, fellow operators, and nationals by attending a gala dinner in tribute to the Jamaica Tourist Board’s 70th anniversary.

The retail benefactor also showed up for the Caribbean Tourism Organization’s showcases, which promoted the region’s ideal destinations.

In a week that marked transitions of singer Connie Francis, wrestler Hulk Hogan, British jazz singer Cleo Laine, heavy metal trailblazer Ozzy Osborne, musician Chuck Mangione, actor Malcolm Jamal Warner, and former Grace Kennedy CEO Don Wehby, Patricia Lawrence Haughton joined the ancestors. She died last Tuesday, July 23, 2025.

News of her departure was met with shock and disbelief.

It marked the end of an era.

“What she and her family built didn’t just change the travel industry. It changed lives — including mine. And for that, I will be forever grateful,” David Lampel said. The former program director at WLIB sounded nostalgic as he reflected on his early years as an executive coordinating travel with the Lawrence pair.

He attributed the immigrants with enabling his maiden visit to the Caribbean.

“As a kid from Harlem who had never set foot in the Caribbean, Pat and her father opened the door for me,” he told the Jamaica Gleaner.

“It’s hard to imagine Pat has embarked on a new journey.”

Patricia was 67 years old.

Final homegoing services for Patricia Lawrence-Haughton will be held on Aug. 16 at Church of the Nativity at 9 a.m. at Ocean Parkway.

Kingston is now 333 years old

July 22 marked the 333rd anniversary of Jamaica’s capital city. Reportedly, following a devastating earthquake in 1692, which almost leveled the island, it was acclaimed for being the home of the ‘wickedest city on earth.’ Allegedly, a colonial parliamentary body declared the region a parish in 1713.

Why pirates lingered there remains a mystery, but more than a few seemed to have enjoyed the location’s sun, surf, and solace.

Catch You On The Inside!