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Wednesday February 08, 2017

Destinations

How to enjoy Venice without destroying it
It's carnival time in The Floating City. But as tourism poses ever-more problems, here's how to see Serenissima without having an adverse impact…

Skip Marrakesh, and Visit Morocco's Atlantic Coast Instead - Vogue
If Marrakech is the Palm Springs of Europe, then Morocco’s Atlantic coast is southern California with a touch of Point Break. Truly, there's something for anyone in search of friendly vibes or Vitamin D — from souks to year-round surf spots to everything in between…

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Tours and Activities

10 incredible adventures you must have in 2017
Black vultures circled, unnervingly, overhead. I gripped the wire with my leather mitt and let out a girlie shriek as the canyon walls whizzed past, the river flowing 800ft below…

Japan's most extravagant light display
When it comes to extravagant light displays, few would dispute that Japan's the world leader. Every winter, towns and cities across the country glow with impressive festivals featuring millions of colorful bulbs…

Disney Just Announced the Opening Date for the Avatar-themed 'Pandora'
Disney Parks announced on Tuesday that the new “Avatar” theme park will open at Disney's Animal Kingdom in Orlando, Florida, on May 27…

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Cruise

Norwegian adds 25 more cruises this year from Miami to Cuba
Norwegian Cruise Line is doubling down on Cuba. Its Norwegian Sky will be adding more round-trip cruises from Miami to Cuba through December, the line announced Tuesday…

Princess Cruises to Offer Favourite U.K. Foods on Southampton-Based Crown Princess
Princess Cruises will offer U.K. food favourites such as Marmite, curries and fish 'n' chips on Crown Princess, one of its Southampton-based ships for this spring and summer…

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Transportation

Airfare Expert: Why today is the Golden Age for fliers
Every now and then, you’ll hear someone talk about the good old days of flying. My response: Baloney (unless you really liked seeing travelers in fancy hats). Today is so much better, and here’s why…

Tour Canada by Private Jet With 57 Friends...For $300K
Milestone birthdays should be celebrated in a big way. So when Canada hit the big 1-5-0 this year, Fairmont Hotels…

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Lodging

Staying in style in Barcelona
With an art gallery, coffee bar, yoga and south-east Asian food, you might find it hard to leave Barcelona’s Casa Bonay hotel – unless you get a craving for tapas…

Surprising facts about the soon-to-close Waldorf Astoria hotel
Part history lesson, part dream-like fantasy, part luxurious indulgence, the Waldorf Astoria (from $250/night) is an iconic New York institution. But in a city where the only constant is change, we can’t expect hotels — even legendary ones — to be an exception…

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Other and Odd

One Year In, Five Lessons Learned
The new year has already brought about significant changes to our world, including the way some of us travel. It also commemorates, less significantly, the one-year anniversary of my taking over the Frugal Traveler column…

The Most Expensive Cup of Coffee in the U.S. Costs $18
The most expensive cup of coffee in the U.S. can now be found in New York City and it'll cost you $18…

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Today in History

Mary Queen of Scots is beheaded
For 19 years Mary Stuart lived in gentle confinement, the "guest" of Queen Elizabeth I. Mary Queen of Scots' impetuous nature and boldness kept her in trouble with her royal relations…

Press Releases of Interest

American Cruise Lines Announces Sponsorship of PBS’ Antique Road Show
American Cruise Lines announced that it will be a national sponsor of PBS’ most-watched ongoing series ANTIQUES ROADSHOW beginning today, February 6th. Now entering its 21st season, 14-time Emmy® Award nominated ANTIQUES ROADSHOW features antiques owners from across the country bringing in items to be appraised by the country’s leading antiques and collectibles experts…

South African Airways Offers Special Travel Industry Fares For 2017 Tourism Shows In South Africa
South African Airways (SAA), the national carrier of South Africa and Africa’s most awarded airline is, once again offering special travel industry fares for upcoming tourism conferences in South Africa. The 2017 travel trade fares are being offered from North America for travel industry delegates that are attending the World Travel Market – Africa April 19-21, with International Luxury Travel Market (ILTM-Africa) April 21-23 and We Are Africa May 1-4, all hosted in Cape Town. Indaba, Africa’s premier and longest- running travel show, hosted by South African Tourism, will be held in Durban May 16-18…

Windstar Cruises Named Official Cruise Line of the James Beard Foundation Broadening Exclusive Culinary Partnership
Boutique line announced as official cruise line of the James Beard Foundation and sponsor of the organization’s esteemed JBF Awards, Taste America®, Chefs…

Point-to-Point

Got BOGO?
by Anita Pagliasso
Wednesday February 08, 2017

By now I am sure everyone has seen the catchy commercials for Payless Shoe stores. BOGO is “buy one get one half off” at Payless. Previous to the Payless campaign, BOGO was an acronym that was universally known in the marketing industry but rarely presented to customers in this form. Originally, "buy one get one free" was a sudden end-of-season or stock clearance method used by shops who were left with a large quantity of stock that they were looking to sell quickly.

"Buy One, Get One free", or "Buy one, get one" is a common form of a sales promotion, even now in the travel industry. The two-for-one travel promotions have become quite popular, particularly lately due to the economy. Some cruise lines have marketed…

  — Travel Research Online
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Supplier Profile

Get The Best In Payment Processing With National Transaction Corporation

Traditionally, travel-related merchants have a difficult time obtaining merchant accounts. National Transaction Corporation (NTC) is a full service merchant account provider with extensive experience in the travel arena and related markets, servicing thousands of travel-related merchant accounts by specializing in non-cash electronic transactions. Our services include processing credit card transactions, gift card transactions, and e-commerce transactions, among others. We offer a full line of products including credit card terminals, cellular devices, supplies, and…

  — Travel Research Online
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Mike's Morning Missives

Lessons From The Shark Tank (TV Show)

Although I am not a regular fan of mindless television shows, I found myself channel-surfing recently when I came across The Shark Tank. Hopeful entrepreneurs plead their case in front of four potential investors in hope of gaining some “cash” in return for giving up a percentage of ownership.

One fellow approached the panel and suggested that his new idea would (could) compete with FedEx. Politely, but with a modicum of terseness this fellow was dismissed, sans monetary contribution. He thought he offered something different, but what he was really doing was saying, “Me-too, me-too.” He failed to garner the attention or interest from any of the potential investors.

The send-off phrase that caught my attention, (and made me think of you) was the following: “I don’t…

  — 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!


Upcoming Training Opportunities


The perfect Canadian rail vacation with Via Rail

The perfect Canadian rail vacation with Via Rail

Wednesday, February 15, 2017 at 1 pm EST/10 am PST

Join VIA Rail for an informative session focusing on rail journeys across Canada and bring the beauty of the Canadian landscapes to the forefront of your client’s next vacation! Not only is Canada close, safe and friendly but in 2017, it’s also celebrating its 150th anniversary. Combine coast-to-coast festivals and celebrations with a great exchange rate plus the unrivaled experience of seeing a country up close by train, and you’ll see why Canada is the best place to visit, and celebrate, this year.

Register Now ➠







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