Destinations
The Thai city you'll find it hard to leave
Thailand’s second largest city, Chiang Mai, has the best of the Bangkok experiences – the markets, the malls, the fabulous food, the beautiful temples – with an easygoing charm and cultural heritage thanks to its 700-year Lanna history…
— Escape
The ultimate guide to New York for first timers
Heading to New York for the first time? Here's everything you need to know…
— Traveller
Tours and Activities
Disney World: 13 fun activities to enjoy after the parks
With some 20.5 million visitors strolling through its gates each year, the Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World has the highest attendance of any theme park in the world…
— USA Today
Guess what? Fall colors are popping in the Eastern Sierra right now
If you think it’s too early for fall colors, think again. You’ll see lime green and yellows — even orange and red at high elevations — in California’s Eastern Sierra right now, according to the California Fall Color website…
— LA Times
More Than 1,200 Museums Will Have Free Admission This Saturday
This Saturday, more than 1,200 museums across the country will be offering free admission as a part of the annual Museum Day Live!…
— Travel Leisure
Cruise
Music cruises: the festivals and musicals you can enjoy at sea
Dance bands and singers providing cocktail hour and after dinner entertainment have always been a feature of cruises. Standards vary, from charismatic and talented performers who have a loyal following of repeat passengers to has-beens and never-going-to-be-anybodies playing to captive and uncritical audiences…
— The Independent
Guernsey Welcomes Record Number of Cruise Ship Passengers in 2016
The number of cruise ship passengers visiting Guernsey hit a record high this year of almost 130,000 -- surpassing last year's number of almost 123,000. The number will rise even higher as there are still six cruise calls left to count -- including large ships Queen Mary 2 and Britannia -- before the season ends on Sunday…
— CruiseCritic.com
Transportation
Revealed: The 10 airlines that earn the most from baggage charges
Spirit Airlines is more reliant on extra charges than any other carrier, with 43.4 per cent of its total revenue in 2015 coming from “ancillary” sources, such as baggage and booking fees and the sale of in-flight food and drink…
— Telegraph (London)
Why The Airbus A380 Isn't Going Away Anytime Soon
When Singapore Airlines revealed last week that it won’t renew the lease on its first Airbus A380—the double-decker behemoth the carrier helped launch nearly ten years ago—news quickly circulated that the plane’s days might be numbered…
— Condé Nast Traveler
Lodging
World's most beautiful beachfront hotels
From Australia to the Caribbean, there's no shortage of beautiful beachfront hotels around the world to choose from. But some are, quite simply, more beautiful than others. Whether you're after a glitzy, all-inclusive resort or a low-key island hideaway, we've picked 21 of the world's most stunning…
— CNN
At Value-Focused Hotels, the Free Breakfast Gets Bigger
At some affordably priced hotels in the United States, a free breakfast is increasingly a perk of a stay. And these aren’t the expected cereal and toast meals: Properties are getting creative by offering expanded buffets and health-conscious dishes…
— New York Times
Other and Odd
How to Use Google to Plan Your Trip
Google Maps revolutionized how you get from point A to point B. Google Trips aims to to do the same for how you vacation. The smartphone app, released on Monday, uses what it already knows about you, based on data it has collected from your Gmail account, and combines it with established features from its other offerings, like Destinations, and its large database of crowd-sourced reviews…
— New York Times
World's largest matrilineal society
In the highlands of West Sumatra, a man is considered a guest in his wife’s home…
— BBC
Make your own travel documentary
You don't need the skills of a filmmaker to make a video compilation of your travel photos and videos. Animoto Video Maker app lets you upload your photos and videos, pick a style to personalize your story, set it to music and add narration or title cards to complete it…
— Chicago Tribune
Today in History
Nathan Hale Executed
On September 21, 1776, British forces on the island of New York captured American spy Nathan Hale who had slipped behind the enemy front to report on British movements. The city was in flames and the British rounded up scores of citizens…
— Travel Research Online
Reading Between the Lines
Harvey Penick’s Little Red Book: Sing Like Nobody's Watching
 "In competition you must be yourself.”
Harvey Penick’s Little Red Book: Lessons and Teachings From a Lifetime In Golf by Harvey Penick with Bud Shrake, page 113
Kathy Matea sang it best when she suggested that we “sing like you don’t need the money… love like you’ll never get hurt… dance like nobody is watching. It has to come from the heart if you want it to work.” These 31 words set he stage for your soon-to-be…
— Travel Research Online
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TRO SMITH
3 Vital Ways to Add Video into your Social Marketing
by Catherine Heeg
Thursday September 22, 2016
 Did you know that a 1 minute video is worth 1.8 million words? Research predicts 74% of all internet traffic in 2017 will be video.
Yet, so many travel and tourism marketers shy away from video thinking it’s too ‘techy’ or too difficult to learn. Many travel pros say they just don’t have the time. Let’s debunk these myths and see how you can jump into that video producer’s seat…
— Travel Research Online
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Luxury Travel Tips
The Reason Travel Agents Fail
by Dan Chappelle
Thursday September 22, 2016
 As a sales coach and business consultant in the travel and tourism industry, the question I am asked most often is, "What do I have to do to become successful?" It is a simple question and one that really has a simple answer.
Contrary to popular belief, the reason many travel agents fail is not due a lack of product knowledge, lack of planning, or lack of marketing. In fact, we tend to be pretty good at all three. The cost of entry in travel sales is typically very low, so it’s usually not for lack of funding either.
No, the reason many agents fail is so obvious, it is often overlooked. According to legendary management consultant, Peter Drucker, “The purpose of a business is to create and keep customers”. That’s it - period. Nothing else happens in this…
— 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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