Destinations
The 19 countries with the highest standard of life
The countries with the highest quality of life have been announced by the not-for-profit organisation Social Progress Imperative. Scandinavian nations scored highly in the "Social Progress Index," but more surprising are the very large countries which came lower down the list — suggesting that a strong GDP per capita is not the only gauge for a high standard of living. Despite this, all of the top 19 countries are developed nations — so having a strong economy clear has an impact. The "Social Progress Index" collates the scores of three main indexes:…
— The Independent
A traditional village stay in Ethiopia's Simien Mountains
Selam, an assistant guide who doubled as chief cook, set a plate in front of me, a mountain of spaghetti topped with what would prove to be a delicious tomato sauce. I started to tell her that even after our six-hour walk it was much more than I needed, but she didn’t understand, and I didn’t want to offend her. So I lifted my fork and spoon and ate the lot. I didn’t want to waste food, not in Ethiopia…
— Telegraph (London)
Tours and Activities
The Cape's first hotel beach bar opens at Ocean Edge
When Ocean Edge Resort announced the opening of "the only true hotel beach bar on Cape Cod" this past weekend, our first reaction was that this was an assertion that needed to be thoroughly researched…
— The Boston Globe
Meet Roger, the ripped kangaroo
An absolute giant of a man approaches, kitted out like he's about to go on safari, and carrying two satchels around his shoulders. And inside those satchels are Hope and Patrick…
— Sydney Morning Herald
Happy campers: This season's best tents for your summer trip
If the thought of singing Kumbaya and burning s’mores around the fire make you yearn for the days of summer camp, there’s no reason you can’t recreate some of that magic, starting with a spot to spend the night. There are as many different tents on the market as their are kinds of campers, so last week, with the help of my children, ages 4 and 6, I turned my backyard into a campground to test a range of variations suitable for everyone – from serious solo trippers to drive-in-campsite types with kids in tow…
— Globe and Mail
Cruise
The most amazing pet holiday yet? Take a look at Queen Mary 2’s new-look cabins and kennels
Dogs sailing on the Queen Mary 2 are getting the royal treatment. The ship has just undergone $132 million in renovations that include new accommodations for two-legged as well as four-legged passengers…
— Escape
As Global Warming Thaws Northwest Passage, a Cruise Sees Opportunity
Sue and Jay Pendleton were booked on an Antarctic trip when something more enticing came along: a luxury cruise through the once impassable Northwest Passage. They canceled their plans and paid $90,000 for the Crystal Serenity’s voyage above the North American continent…
— New York Times
Crystal Reveals Details of Four New River Ships
Crystal River Cruises has revealed more details about the amenities and design of its four new river ships, launching in spring and summer 2017…
— CruiseCritic.com
Transportation
TSA takes to Facebook Messenger to answer fliers' questions
Wondering what hours the Transportation Security Administration’s PreCheck lanes are staffed at your local airport? Or whether you can bring an obscure item through airport security? You can now get the answers to those questions and many more by asking the TSA directly through Facebook’s Messenger function…
— USA Today
Why I love being a pilot
Jet lag is part of my job as a long-haul airline pilot for British Airways. It’s something you can’t avoid but that you quickly learn to cope with: I recommend eating lighter meals, exercising – outdoors if possible – and going easy on the espresso…
— The Guardian
Lodging
The Most Unusual Hotel Rooms in the World
We've covered some pretty over-the-top hotels in our time, and we've learned that space pod suites in the middle of a vineyard and floating hotel rooms in Dubai can be just as luxurious and beautiful as a traditional hotel. When you want an experience beyond cable TV and a warm shower, head to one of these one-of-a-kind rooms…
— Condé Nast Traveler
Top Hawaii suites you won't find online. Here's how you can book one
Want to splurge on your next trip to Hawaii? You can snag a presidential or penthouse suite at eight Aqua-Aston Hospitality resorts, but be prepared to pick up your phone to make a booking. The penthouses can be reserved only by calling the company’s new Hawaii-based reservations center, according to a spokesman. It’s open 24/7…
— LA Times
Other and Odd
Travel Startup Offers Vacations to Surprise Destinations
here's already an airline that will fly you to a surprise destination. Now there's a travel agency offering “surprise vacations,” planning entire trips for travelers without revealing the destination until they arrive at the airport. Pack Up Go, founded by Lillian Rafson, focuses on long-weekend itineraries to domestic destinations in the U.S…
— Travel Leisure
How to make money on your next road trip
Marc Gorlin was sitting in his truck in Montgomery, Ala., needing to get bathroom tile from Birmingham to the Florida Panhandle, when he was struck with a realization: Dozens, if not hundreds, of people would just so happen to be making that trip in the coming days or weeks…
— Chicago Tribune
Today in History
The Roswell Incident
On July 8, 1947 The Roswell Army Air Field issued an unusual press release indicating that on July 7th, the day before, some of its personnel had located and removed a crashed “flying disc” from a local ranch…
— Travel Research Online
Press Releases of Interest
CCRA Hosting Signature VIP FirstNight Event at Travel Agent Forum on October 2nd in Miami, Florida
Start off in style and join us for this VIP reception event for the opportunity to mingle with elite suppliers, and other CCRA members at Miami Dice Casino Night for the FirstNight event at the Miami Travel Agent Forum on October 2nd at 7 PM. This event is held exclusively for CCRA members and will kick off the fall Travel Agent Forum…
— Travel Research Online
Reading Between the Lines
Become the Exception: Prospect Meetings That Get Results, Part 3
 The questions I suggested in my last message can be tailored to fit any service or product you are selling. With these questions, you are throwing the ball into the prospect’s court and asking him to define his hot button.
Here are a few more ideas: Ask your prospect what service is most attractive/important when selecting a travel agency. Among the many possible answers are: proximity, years of experience of agents, international capabilities, other major clients currently served, Internet booking capabilities, payment plans, meeting and conference capabilities, etc.
Once you find a potential hot button, probe it with more…
— Travel Research Online
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TRO SMITH
Competing Successfully with Online Travel Agencies
by Richard Earls
Thursday July 7, 2016
 Limiting myths are the stories we tell ourselves to justify a timid approach to building our travel practices. Most limiting myths have a small truth somewhere in their origin that, over time, takes on a far greater importance than their reality suggests. By examining these myths, you can greatly diminish their influence in your travel practice. Here’s a limiting myth we will tackle: “You cannot compete with the big online travel agencies.”
This limiting myth is not true. In fact, the online travel agencies (OTAs) cannot compete with you! But only if you play to your strengths. Let’s see how…
— 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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