Destinations
Into Corsica, From Rustic Villages to Stony Cliffs
One reason the French island of Corsica can feel so bracing to a visitor is that — and I mean this in the best way possible — Corsicans don’t much care about you. Of course, they want to make sure that you’re comfortable and taken care of. But they’re not going to fuss over the details of your itinerary, recommending this sight over that one…
— New York Times
Poets and pistachios: a journey to the heart of Iran
The old man paused for breath beneath a walnut tree. A part-time philosopher, he was called Rahmatollah (“Offer of the Gods”). He had wobbly knees and clutched a walking stick but his mind showed no sign of slowing down…
— Telegraph (London)
Ethiopia: Next big thing in Africa travel?
In the late 1950s, Ethiopian Airlines launched an advertising campaign in the Western media that touted the ancient kingdom as Africa's "newest travel adventure." More than half a century later, the huge East African nation has yet to live up to that lofty billing. But it might not be much longer…
— CNN
Tours and Activities
Hawaii reopens national parks after Tropical Storm Darby loses punch
Partly to mostly sunny skies returned to Hawaii on Monday, and two popular national parks were again welcoming visitors after Tropical Storm Darby brought high winds, dangerous surfs and heavy rain over the weekend. At 8 a.m. Pacific time Monday, Darby was downgraded to a tropical depression by the Central Pacific Hurricane Center. It was located 185 miles west-northwest of Honolulu…
— LA Times
Sunrise to sundown, Mumbai is a vegetarian
Speciality dishes from all over India are showcased at the street food stalls and cafes of Mumbai. Here, food writer Meera Sodha spends a whirlwind 24 hours sampling as many vegetarian ‘greatest hits’ as she can…
— The Guardian
Cruise
13 Reasons You Should Take a Cruise This Year
What was once the province of daring explorers was co-opted by the less intrepid traveler who only wanted to unpack once. But new trips to far-flung places are putting the art of the voyage and the thrill of discovery back into cruising…
— Condé Nast Traveler
Cruising the edge of Europe
I've just spent 48 hours tramping through Barcelona: hard to resist a dawn-to-dusk round of sightseeing in this quirky and utterly beautiful city. My ship Viking Star has lingered in port for two nights, as if reluctant to depart. Now I'm happy with a day at sea to let my sore feet unknot. I sit in Viking Sea's gorgeous Wintergarden in the sun, forking up scones with clotted cream and dithering over the two-page tea menu…
— Sydney Morning Herald
The Container Ship Tourism Industry
Robert Rieffel was strolling with his wife and friends along River Street in Savannah, Georgia, a touristy corridor filled with trinket shops and restaurants, when he suddenly heard “this big brooooooooooo,” he says, imitating the sound of a ship’s horn. An enormous cargo ship was sailing up the river, one of many that travel international routes delivering everything from kitty litter to cars to clothes in massive stacks of metal shipping containers. Rieffel was captivated…
— Atlas Obscura
Transportation
Flight listings on Airbnb? Lufthansa thinks the idea will really fly
Might we interest you in Airbnb accommodations that may cause leg cramping but come with the rare amenity that is a large flying airplane? Lufthansa, enamored with the adage “if you can’t beat them join them,” has begun selling flights on Airbnb – the service that is usually confined to more stationary properties. Now if you ever wanted to stay in a moving rental accommodation that flies to a destination then, well, congratulations. You have done just that every single time you booked a flight…
— Fox Travel News
Southwest Airlines website glitch grounds hundreds of flights
A glitch knocked down Southwest Airlines’ website for about three hours Thursday, barring people from booking trips or checking their flights. The airline is now waiving ticket fees for tens of thousands of passengers after hundreds of flights were canceled or delayed. NBC’s Tom Costello reports for TODAY from Washington, D.C…
— Today
The most child-friendly airline flying in Australia and to NZ
Flying with children is a challenge at the best of times. And when it comes to choosing a child-friendly airline, there are plenty of variables to consider…
— Escape
Lodging
Madrid's 5 best places to stay
A recent addition to the Small Luxury Hotels of the World stable, The Principal arrived on the scene last year and has quickly established itself as one of Madrid’s must-stays. Occupying a Spanish Renaissance 17th century building on a corner of the capital’s vibrant Gran Via, there’s an intimate clubby atmosphere at this 76-room hotel…
— The Independent
Cristiano Ronaldo Just Opened Up a Hotel in His Hometown
Ronaldo has opened his new hotel, and they just renamed the airport after him. GOOOOOOOOOOLLLLLLL! Everybody knows that soccer instills a cult-like fanaticism in Europe. But the Portuguese hometown of Cristiano Ronaldo, the superstar of Real Madrid and captain of the Portuguese national team, is taking soccer fever to new heights…
— Travel Leisure
Other and Odd
The line starts here: Designing theme park queues
People love theme park rides. The lines that they have to endure in order to board the rides? Not so much. But when tens of thousands of visitors arrive at a park, all of whom want to experience its major attractions, waiting around is inevitable. Some park operators, such as Disney and Six Flags, offer virtual queue programs that allow visitors to reserve ride times and skip some of the lines…
— USA Today
How To Travel The World With A Full-Time Job
I could practically hear the words crossing the minds of my new found friends as they asked me how long I’d been traveling for. I was working at a busy advertising firm in Manhattan and―after careful planning and supervisor approval―had managed to snag five days off to fly to Cartagena…
— The Huffington Post
Today in History
The de Havilland Comet
July 27, 1949 saw the inaugural flight of the de Havilland Comet, the world's first commercial jet airliner. Manufactured by British company de Havilland, the craft was a high point in early aeronautical design and was powered by four jet engines…
— Travel Research Online
Point-to-Point
10 tips + 10 weeks = 100 New Methods to Grow Groups–Week 7, Use that co-op
by Stuart Cohen
Wednesday July 27, 2016
 Your supplier representative has co-op dollars to invest. They are particularly partial to investing in group opportunities. Their money cuts your marketing budget in half (or allows you to do two times the effort). Every marketing dollar NOT spent out of your pocket drops to your bottom line.
However, co-op money is limited. As a former rep and rep manager, the money goes to the best group opportunities as presented in your co-op proposal. Straight out of group boot camp, here are 10 (of 20) ways:
— Travel Research Online
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Supplier Profile
Experience the Radiance of Europe with Emerald Waterways
 Exceptional Emerald Value
Now in our third year of serving guests and sailing the rivers of Europe, we are delighted to have earned our second award from the Editor’s of Cruise Critic, ‘Best River Line for Value’. This was a great follow-up to the 2014 award for ‘Best New River Ship’, also from the Editor’s of Cruise Critic. Our ships have been praised for their innovative highlights and modern approach to river cruising; something we believe…
— Travel Research Online
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Reading Between the Lines
The Little Blue Book of Advertising: Appeal to Your Prospects
 “Buyers are selfish with their time, attention, and powers of memory. You need to satisfy them. You need to appeal to them with benefits that are of interest to them.”
The Little Blue Book of Advertising by Steve Lance and Jeff Woll, page 94
In a nutshell, I suppose this is the old “Features vs Benefits” discussion.
Finding out that your business is more difficult than you ever imagined often leads to looking inward by beginning to doubt your qualifications. Don’t panic. This is both a human and fully expected response…
— 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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