Destinations
These are the world’s cheapest holiday destinations
They’re the top wallet-friendly destinations that offer serious bang for your buck…
— Escape
The most overrated (and underrated) cities in the world named
Travel is a matter of taste, and beauty in the eye of the onlooker. The things we see and do on our holidays are dependent on our perception of value, our personal tastes and mood, the sunshine and queue length…
— Traveller
Tours and Activities
Exploring the haunting ‘ghost villages’ of Italy’s Umbria region
In Umbria, just a 90-minute drive from Rome, Ellen Himelfarb discovers some of Italy’s most striking ‘ghost villages’ – towns of haunting beauty where mere handfuls of residents struggle to keep their way of life alive…
— Globe and Mail
Trips Everyone Should Take in Their 30s
Sure, these dream vacations could make your bucket list in your 20s, 30s, 40s or beyond. But whether you’re coming into a little more disposable income, marriage, a mortgage or, for some, delayed adulthood in your 30s…
— The Huffington Post
10 of the best holidays for solo travellers
Travel companies are tapping into this growing market, offering adventurous trips across the globe for solo travellers wanting to meet like-minded people…
— The Guardian
Cruise
Fred. Olsen's Black Watch Cruise Ship Set For Multi-Million Pound Refit - Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines
Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines' Black Watch is set for a massive multi-million-pound refit next month which will include a ship-wide refurbishment, upgraded in-cabin technology, new restaurants, new decor and new designs for the pubs and bars onboard…
— CruiseCritic.com
Arctic adventure with a conscience
Nothing but long woollen underwear and a waterproof onesie lie between me and the Arctic elements of Lofoten archipelago as I sit astride the speedboat's saddle-like front seat for unadulterated views and wind impact…
— Traveller
Transportation
Singapore Air is again flying nonstop to USA from Singapore
Singapore Airlines is once again connecting Singapore to the USA with nonstop service. The airline celebrated the launch of its new Singapore-San Francisco route Sunday, officially restarting nonstop service from its home country to the USA after a break of about three years…
— USA Today
American Airlines Flight Delayed After Couple Gains Unauthorized Access To Plane, Boards Early
Authorities say a flight from Philadelphia to Boston was delayed and ultimately a different aircraft was used after a couple gained unauthorized access to the plane…
— Fox Travel News
Lodging
The best windmills you can stay in
For much of the last century, Moulin 85 was a working mill, supplying flour to local boulangeries and patisseries…
— The Independent
Three hip hotels that will convince you to visit Malta
Malta is throwing off its reputation as a place to retire and is reinventing itself as a holiday destination for weekend breaks and longer…
— Telegraph (London)
Other and Odd
How to Get a Deal at Local Markets
Buying goods at local markets on your vacation is a tangible way of capturing a memory of your destination…
— New York Times
Where gravediggers drank their pints
Since this Dublin pub opened in 1833, no singing or dancing has been allowed, and there’s never been a telephone or a TV…
— BBC
13 killed as tour bus plows into big rig in Palm Springs, California
A tour bus crashed into the back of a truck on I-10 in Palm Springs. In addition to 13 deaths, at least 31 other people were injured, officials said…
— NBC News
Today in History
The United Nations
The United Nations was not the first attempt at creating an organization dedicated to international understanding. Years earlier the League of Nations had failed prevent World War II…
— Travel Research Online
Editorial Musings
To heck with best practices
by John Frenaye
Monday October 24, 2016
Our world is cl uttered with clichés and phrases… most of which are meaningless. "The mission of XYZ Travel is to provide wonderful experiences. We make memories. We think out of the box. We have applied a paradigm shift to the travel industry and turned it on end, blah, blah, blah." And my personal favorite—best practices. I say to heck with best practices.
To heck with clichés and to heck with best practices. The successful agency will steer clear from the obvious. Everyone has a similar mission and utilizes best practices. I suggest you don’t.
Best practices are really just a fancy way of saying “We play it safe.” By assuming best practices, you forego most of the risk. Failure is uncommon. Conflict is rare. Best practices are…
— Travel Research Online
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Reading Between the Lines
Guerilla Marketing Attack: Premature Market Implementation
 "Don’t wait! Great marketing ideas tend to be copied until virtually everyone is on the bandwagon. That’s when you should drop off.”
Guerilla Marketing Attack by Jay Conrad Levinson, page 85
As far as today’s quote goes, I agree and disagree. It is true that in today’s rapid and ever-changing world of commerce, ideas come and go. This holds particularly true for marketing ideas. There seems to be another “flavor-of-the-month” hot strategy being promoted every time you turn on your…
— Travel Research Online
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Publishers Corner
Honoring mistakes
by Richard Earls
Sunday October 23, 2016
 I'm uncertain of the metaphysical reality of karma, but something about it rings true to me. If there is indeed anything to the notion, however, I shudder at what an absolute mess I must have been in my previous life, because the particular one I'm living now seems completely devoted to teaching me by trial and error. The mistakes I have made in business, as a parent, partner, and human being are legion.
A distant mentor suggests we learn to celebrate our mistakes. I not only concur, I consider it necessary.
While mistakes are painful, they are masterful teachers. Since this is a business column devoted to the travel industry, I'll narrow the scope down a bit for our purposes and place the…
— Travel Research Online
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One-to-One Interviews
Kallie Biggs, Travel Agent Market Manager, American Cruise Lines
 Kallie Biggs is the Travel Agent Market Manager for American Cruise Lines with extensive experience in marketing, sales, and business development over a range of travel and hospitality-focused industries. During her career, she held several onboard positions for a variety of cruise lines and also worked at Europe Express, gaining valuable experience as part of the sales and marketing team. Kallie served as a Contributing Board Member for the Young Travel Professionals of Seattle with the title of Communications and Marketing Manager. She has a Bachelor’s Degree from Western Washington University, and a Certificate in Non-Profit Management from the University of…
— 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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