Destinations
Sicily: a darkly romantic island
With no regard for safety and scant respect for convention, let alone the law, an unlit Vespa carrying three people roared towards us up a dark Palermo alley. Since the big trials of the Eighties and Nineties, The Mafia, they say, has been emasculated and trivialised. However, certain pirate habits of mind persist in Sicily. Everything here is more deeply etched than the mainland. The Baroque is more Baroque, the wines are stronger, the volcanoes more active, the people more charming, the dolci more sweet, the despair more profound, the food better…
— The Independent
10 ways to see Argentina
First-time visitors to Argentina usually want to tick off the trio of must-see sites: the effervescent, edgy capital Buenos Aires; wild and wondrous Iguazú Falls, and the Andean peaks, ice fields and lakes of southern Patagonia – most notably the Perito Moreno glacier. More seasonal attractions include Mendoza (great during the vendimia or harvest months of December to March), Salta (best in the dry southern “winter” of July-October) and the whale-watching spectacle off Valdés peninsula (the best months are September and October)…
— Telegraph (London)
Tours and Activities
The Line For Disney’s Frozen Ever After Ride Was Five Hours Long
The good news is that Frozen Ever After ride at the Epcot Center in Orlando’s Walt Disney World Resort is now open. The bad news is that yesterday the line was 300 minutes long, which undoubtedly feels like for ever (after). Line watchers posted pictures on social media showing Disney employees holding up helpful warnings that the wait time to give Elsa’s frozen wonderland a whirl was (again—let it sink in) 300 minutes long…
— Travel Leisure
New Travel Channel series '7 Water Wonders' to feature Florida resort pools
The premiere of the new Travel Channel series "7 Water Wonders" is slated to feature pools at three Florida resorts when it debuts this Sunday. The show that will air at 11 p.m. on June 19 will give viewers a closer look at the life aquatic to be had at Palm Beach County's Eau Palm Beach Resort…
— Sun Sentinel
Sailors, paddlers to test endurance on 750 miles of cold waters in the Race to Alaska
Some 150 sailors, paddlers and rowers will climb aboard 60 assorted boats in Port Townsend and set off for the second nonmotorized Race to Alaska this week. It’s billed as Washington’s Iditarod…
— Seattle Times
Cruise
Cruising through antiquity on the Nile, without the crowds
On the top deck of the cruise ship River Tosca, the swimming pool was cool and inviting in the afternoon heat. Below, the fabled Nile River was wide and blue and calm. Palm trees dotted the shoreline where farm animals grazed. And I had the deck of the 236-foot ship all to myself…
— Chicago Tribune
Live From Thomson Cruises: First Impressions of TUI Discovery
It's hard to take a ship approaching its 22nd year and make it look new, but that's what Thomson Cruises has done with its newest -- and biggest -- ship TUI Discovery. The 1,830-passenger ship -- the former Royal Caribbean-owned Splendour of the Seas -- went through a six-week, multi-million- pound refurbishment to emerge as Thomson's flagship on June 9. It's a tough juggling act played by many lines launching a first in class, or in this case a radical refit of an old ship. You have to keep your loyal clientele onboard, while trying to attract new to cruise. Thomson achieves this in a number of ways with TUI Discovery…
— CruiseCritic.com
Transportation
Spirit wants to shake its reputation for late flights
Spirit Airlines will focus on its reliability as the bare-bones carrier tries to soften its image with customers. The airline – a self-described “ultra low-cost carrier” that charges extra for everything from carry-ons to water – has endured persistently high complaint rates for several years. Now, new CEO Bob Fornaro thinks a better on-time rating will improve Spirit's perception with its customers…
— USA Today
Alaska Airlines flight diverted after man tried to kiss sleeping teen girl
An airport official says a flight was diverted to the Seattle area after a male passenger aboard an Alaska Airlines flight tried to kiss a sleeping girl seated next to him on the airplane. Seattle-Tacoma International Airport spokesman Perry Cooper said Tuesday that Port of Seattle police arrested the 23-year-old California man for investigation of fourth-degree assault…
— Fox Travel News
Lodging
The 20 Best Kid-Friendly Hotels in the U.S. and Caribbean
With the downtime-deprived parents in mind, we rounded up 20 luxury family hotels and resorts in the U.S. and Caribbean that turn school vacations into an actual holiday for all…
— Condé Nast Traveler
The five dumbest things we do in hotels
Do we leave our better selves behind when we check into a hotel? If you believe the tales told by hotel staff some guests develop fangs, horns and a long red tail between the time they leave the reception desk and their room. It's not only manners and morals that some leave at the check-in desk but also brains. Here are five major fails…
— Sydney Morning Herald
This Is The Best Beach Hotel In The World, According To The Experts
If you’re lucky enough to travel down to the Caribbean, you do NOT want to skimp on a hotel that doesn’t measure up to its spectacular surroundings. Consider the Zemi Beach House instead. It’s the new best beach hotel in the world, according to the annual Best of the Best awards from luxury hotel deals site Jetsetter…
— The Huffington Post
Other and Odd
Who Uses a Travel Agent in This Day and Age?
Industry veterans such as Kerl Commock say that some travelers still prefer booking through an agency because it saves them time and makes flight cancellations less stressful…
— The Atlantic
Brexit: How UK Travel Could Change Forever
Higher airfares, better exchange rates, and fewer tourists ... ? As the world watches and waits for Britain to decide whether to remain in the European Union, you might be thinking, “it doesn’t affect me, so why should I care?” Aside from the flow-on effects on the Australian economy, if Britain decides to leave the EU it could mean your next UK trip looks a bit different…
— Escape
Devices That Deserve to Go Along on Vacation
Children are usually forced to pick just one or two of their beloved stuffed animals to take with them on summer vacation. Adults should consider doing the same with their electronic devices. You don’t want to weigh down your travel bag with gear you will barely use. And you probably should leave your more expensive gadgets at home, unless you want to become a target for muggers…
— New York Times
Today in History
Patent for "Type-Writer" granted
Christopher Latham Sholes, Samuel Soule, and Carlos Glidden did not develop the first typewriter - but their design as patented on June 23, 1868 was destined to be the most successful. None of them, though, saw that success: theirs was one of many typewriters being developed at the time, and with no indication that theirs would be especially succesful, Soule and Glidden bailed on their patents, leaving the machine in the hands of Soule and a new investor, James Densmore…
— Travel Research Online
Press Releases of Interest
The Travel Institute’s “Promote Your Professionalism” Month to Focus on Certification, PR Skills
The Travel Institute today announced details of its first-ever Leadership Learning Series, a five-part webinar program that kicks off May 18 and focuses on the emerging as well as the experienced manager. The topics covered – igniting performance, developing personal stamina and integrity, managing people, database management, and supplier negotiations – are areas that are key to an executive’s success, with particular emphasis on one’s ability to lead, learn, and innovate…
— Travel Research Online
Reading Between the Lines
Become the Exception: 10-Step Selling System, Part 2
 Step # 4: Qualify
Determine which of the identified suspects in your territory have an interest in what you are doing... these are your prospects. This involves a little telephone work and a little market research (as we mentioned in the previous chapter). But don’t get intimidated. You only need to ask a few questions to a handful of people.
It is now time to rate your prospects. Although it may not sound like a righteous thing to do, you can’t treat all prospects the same. Some need more time. Some are more profitable. You must rate your prospects to allocate the proper resources to each…
— Travel Research Online
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TRO SMITH
11 Habits of Highly Effective Social Marketing Mavens
by Catherine Heeg
Thursday June 23, 2016
 As a travel and tourism professional, you know our industry and your clients.
But what ensures that you stand out in the noisy world of social marketing?
Did you know that over 50% of today’s travelers will rush to the keyboard, rather than the phone to make their travel bookings? (source: Hotel Executive) Creating the WOW in your social presence can be the difference between attracting their business or NOT!
Yet, for many in our industry finding the time to succeed is a challenge. What if you have a checklist of habits, like the famous “7 Habits of Highly Effective People” by Steven Covey?
Here are 11 essential habits as you grow your social presence:…
— Travel Research Online
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Luxury Travel Tips
How’s your “Local Star Power”?
by Dan Chappelle
Thursday June 23, 2016
On Father’s D ay, my father-in-law decided we should all go the Snoqualmie casino near Seattle for the afternoon. I am not a big gambler, but for a few hours of fun – I was game. One of the players at our poker table repeated with every hand, “Go big or go home”.
This reminded me of a big gamble I made with my travel agency. Outwardly we were very successful and from a sales perspective we were. However, we were in real danger of bankruptcy. So we made the biggest gamble since starting the company: we did a 180-degree turn and began focusing on attracting affluent customers as part of the overall sales strategy. Go big or go home!
Many agents are intimidated by affluent prospects, people…
— Travel Research Online
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TRO and The Travel Institute Scholarship Program
TRO believes ongoing training is important to the health of the travel professional. Therefore, we have partnered with The Travel Institute to assist travel agents to earn their Certified Travel Associate designation. TRO will be awarding a $100 scholarship to at least one attendee of TRO webinars each webinar. If you want to be considered for the scholarship you need only to register here:
http://www.thetravelinstitute.com/troscholarship/
…and then attend TRO’s webinars. Winners will be selected and notified immediately after each webinar!
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