Destinations
36 Hours in Helsinki, Finland
Four years ago, Helsinki basked in the international spotlight as the 2012 World Design Capital. Since then, the Finnish capital has quietly continued its pursuit of excellence in design, contemporary arts and urban planning. Construction cranes are active across the city, but the long-term vision has already started paying dividends: a renewed waterfront, renovated museums and revived industrial spaces…
— New York Times
Explore Greece's beauty in these often-overlooked regions
As anyone who has been to Santorini or Mykonos in the high season knows, strolling the overcrowded lanes can feel like negotiating a stampede at a soccer stadium. Those islands are indeed beautiful, but these lesser-known regions are just as…
— Globe and Mail
48 Hours in Biarritz
Travel essentials Why go now? With British Airways re-starting flights from Heathrow this summer, the biggest resort in south-west France is easier than ever to reach. Biarritz has its origins as a fishing port, but in the past couple of centuries it has acquired plenty of style while welcoming the rich and glamorous from France and beyond…
— The Independent
Tours and Activities
Hiking to Britain's most remote pub — without a map
Before the invention of instruments, humans relied on natural navigation – a technique that uses the sun, moon, stars, wind, weather, plants and animals to provide orientation…
— BBC Travel
Hiking through a Hawaiian lava tube
Picture a volcano spewing a river of molten lava burning so hot that it burrows its way through the Earth, moving so fast that a human couldn't outrun it…
— CNN
Cruise
First look: Inside the 'most luxurious cruise ship ever'
Just how swanky is luxury line Regent's new Seven Seas Explorer? See for yourself with a scroll through the carousel above. USA TODAY this week is among a handful of news outlets getting early access to the soon-to-be-christened, 750-passenger vessel, and we're posting our first photos here and at our Twitter page and Facebook page…
— USA Today
P&O Cruises Confirms 2017 Strictly Come Dancing Cruise Dates
P&O Cruises has announced dates for its Strictly Come Dancing-themed cruises in 2017. The line has confirmed four cruises next year -- three in the Mediterranean and one in the Baltic -- on three ships -- Azura, Ventura and Britannia. Each cruise will include a guest judge and four of the BBC show's professional dancers, and will include the opportunity to meet them and even learn a few moves…
— CruiseCritic.com
Transportation
Teen's parents file $10M suit against American Airlines, suspect over inappropriate touching
The lawyer for a 13-year-old girl who told police she was groped on a flight to Portland, Oregon, seeks $10 million in a federal lawsuit against American Airlines and the passenger accused of the crime…
— Fox Travel News
How to Fly First-Class for Under $1,000
You know that Emirates commercial where Jennifer Aniston wakes up in a bed on a plane, decides to take a shower during the flight, and then winds up sitting at a spacious bar in the cabin sipping some bubbly? Believe it or not, without a hit syndicated TV show and the bank account that comes with it, you can live all that glory, too—without the hefty price tag. These one-way routes are all about first-class luxury, and even though the flights may be somewhat short, there are hours in airport lounges to look forward to before you board…
— Condé Nast Traveler
Lodging
The World's Best Hotel Has An Ultra-Fancy Treehouse
Ooh, heaven is a place on earth ― and it’s in Indonesia. Travel Leisure released its highly anticipated annual “World’s Best” awards Wednesday and thus, a slew of new vacation dreams was born. It turns out no other place in the mag’s 100 Best Hotels In The World is quite so decadent as the wanderlust-inducing paradise that nabbed its number one spot: Nihiwatu, this year’s “best hotel in the world,” is a sprawling resort on the beautiful Indonesian island of Sumba…
— The Huffington Post
Thomas Cook repackaged: tour firm opens its first boutique resort in Rhodes
Out with the tour reps and in with the ‘guest experience manager’… the package holiday giant is targeting a new generation with the launch of its first boutique hotel on the island of Rhodes…
— The Guardian
Other and Odd
Planned power cut at Death Valley on Saturday means no escaping 116-degree heat
If you’re going to Death Valley National Park on Saturday, be prepared to sweat big-time. The park will be without power from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. — meaning you may be facing triple-digit heat without the benefit of air-conditioning at visitor centers and resorts. The temperature is forecast to reach 116 degrees during the planned 12-hour power outage Saturday that’s needed to repair damaged power lines, according to a park statement…
— LA Times
How to beat the falling pound: 50 simple ways to save money on your holiday
The economy may be on the brink of turning, but most of us are still working to a tight holiday budget. Nick Trend offers advice on making it go as far as possible…
— Telegraph (London)
5 Health Insurance Tips for Overseas Travelers
No one wants to think about mid-vacation health scares. But emergencies happen, and your regular insurance may not cover your care overseas. To avoid any expensive surprises, lay the groundwork before you board a plane…
— Travel Leisure
Today in History
The Olive Branch Petition
One faction of the Second Continental Congress, lead by delegate John Dickinson, wanted to appease King George III. A separate group lead by John Adams, however, was more radical and wanted an immediate declaration of independence and believed war to be inevitable…
— Travel Research Online
Press Releases of Interest
Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Authority Appoints Director Of Tourism, US
The Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Authority is pleased to announce that Kim Jack Riley has been named Director of Tourism, USA, based in New York City. She began her tenure on Wednesday, July 6th, 2016. “We welcome Kim Jack Riley to her new position at the helm of the US Tourism Authority,” says Antigua and Barbuda Minister of Tourism, Economic Development, Investment and Energy, Asot Michael…
— Travel Research Online
Agent Perspectives
Andrea Ross: A passion for giving back
by Jennifer Fernandez
Friday July 08, 2016
Andrea Ross gre w up in England, listening to her parents’ stories of colonial Africa and the Far East. Always one with an independent streak, she took her first solo international trip to Australia at the age of 8, and her passion for new experiences hasn’t diminished since.
That same spirit led Ross to open Journeys Within – a boutique hotel and tour agency – in Siem Reap, Cambodia in 2003, long before most of the world had ever heard anything about the “kingdom of wonder,” other than possibly the existence of Angkor Wat.
At first specializing only in day trips for her hotel guests, Ross grew the tour company to include offices and tours in Cambodia, Thailand, Laos, Vietnam, and Myanmar, as well as sales offices in…
— Travel Research Online
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Reading Between the Lines
Become the Exception: Stop Trying to Sell
 Few people enjoy the idea of “being sold.” A key step towards becoming more successful in sales is to take a contrarian approach to what you are doing. Once you learn to do this, you will immediately find yourself in a more natural and comfortable position, and you will become more pleasant to be with. Your words will be received favorably while your recommendations will be treated with respect. When you approach sales from this contrarian position, your success is sure to follow.
What is this contrarian approach? To become more successful in sales you must
Stop trying to sell!…
— 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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