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Tuesday February 14, 2017

Destinations

Why You Should Visit Montreal This Winter
Canadian winter is nothing to joke about—there’s a reason that the majority of the population lives in the southern section of Canada, near the country’s southernmost border—but that doesn’t mean that all things come to a screeching halt once the snow comes…

Why you should visit Columbus, Ohio
The country’s 15th largest city, chock full of creativity and innovation thanks to an influx of youthful residents, gives up its secrets…

The Most Romantic Small Towns in Europe
We know you love Paris, Venice, and Florence. Problem is, so does every other couple in the world. This Valentine's Day—or on a romantic weekend away—seek out the quiet romance of these secluded small towns across Europe instead…

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Tours and Activities

10 spring break vacation ideas, with or without kids
Winter's not done for much of the U.S., but there's hope. And as winter begins to wind down, that means it's time to think about spring break…

South Korea’s Olympian Winter Moment
South Korea is a skiing afterthought no more. The 2018 Winter Olympics is a coming-out party for the country as a winter sports destination…

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Cruise

Should you choose a boutique cruise?
The first view of the Grand Plaza of Tikal, “the New York City of the Mayan world,” is a breathtaking moment. Dotted with temples and ruins, and surrounded by the tropical jungle of Guatemala’s lowlands, Tikal is a wonder…

Disney Dream dropping 'Villains' for 'Beauty and the Beast'
Seems villains are on the out at Disney Cruise Line as the last remaining ship for “Villains Tonight!” will make way for a new stage musical based on “Beauty and the Beast.”…

The nine most amazing giant cruise ships
Thinking about a mega-resort experience for your next vacation? You no longer have to stay on land to get it. A wave of ever larger cruise ships is bringing the mega-resort formula to the world's oceans like never before…

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Transportation

Would you fly Ryanair or easyJet for more than six hours? These are the longest budget airline routes
Passengers on Britain’s budget airlines are spending longer than ever inflight — with a “no-frills” service now topping six hours for the first time…

TSA workers helped Puerto Rico-based ring smuggle $100M of cocaine, prosecutors say
Prosecutors in Puerto Rico have smashed a ring of current and former U.S. Transportation Security Administration workers that allegedly smuggled 20 tons of cocaine worth as much as $100 million into the U.S. over more than a decade…

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Lodging

Pop on the piste: Chamonix’s fun new ski hotel
Neither cute chalet nor bland concrete block, Chamonix’s Rocky Pop hotel claims to be a chilled new take on winter holidays – and makes a fine base for our beginner snowboarder…

Watch the Northern Lights From a Treetop Hotel in a Forest in Sweden
Nature lovers hoping to catch the Northern Lights can now spend the night in a treehouse 32 feet above the ground in the heart of a Swedish forest. The Treehotel, located in the tall pine forests of Harads in northern Sweden, recently unveiled The 7th Room, a treetop cabin that brings guests closer to nature…

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Other and Odd

Google Maps Just Got An Awesome New Update You'll Want To Use
It’s always great when Google Maps adds a feature to make travel easier. And their latest will transform your trip to-do list from a 15-page handwritten mess to a clean, organized map in your pocket…

Tourism head resigns after using other countries' photos in media campaign
The head of Lithuania's state tourism agency has resigned after admitting her agency promoted the Baltic country in an international social media campaign by…

Today in History

Patent Applications for the Telephone
William Orton, the president of Western Union, was worried. Telegraph traffic was expanding faster than the telegraph lines could handle them. Only a single message could be carried at a time, a severe limitation even in the earliest days of the new technology…

Press Releases of Interest

10% OFF All Sailing Tours when deposited by April 30, 2017
Based on availability. Offer valid on all sailing tours (French Barge and Croatia Sailing Tours) when booked and deposited by April 30, 2017. This offer is valid on all 2017 sailings…

Celestyal Cruises Expands Sales Team -- Names Tom Cogan VP Sales
Celestyal Cruises, the true specialist in destination centric cruising, today announced the appointment of industry veteran Tom Cogan to the role of Vice President of Sales…

South African Airways Iintroduces New State-Of-The-Art Airbus A330-300 Aircraft On Washington, DC Route
South African Airways (SAA), the national carrier of South Africa and Africa’s most awarded airline has introduced its new Airbus A330-300 wide-body aircraft on the three-times weekly route between Washington, DC Dulles International Airport and Johannesburg O.R. Tambo International Airport via Dakar, Senegal. The new A330-300s offer state-of-the-art technology, are very environmentally friendly and SAA customers will enjoy the latest innovations in onboard comfort and amenities…

Mike's Morning Missives

But I don’t want to bother people

The common response I hear when I ask clients why they are not attempting to remain more visible in their marketplace is “Because I don’t want to bother people.” “I don’t want to be a nuisance” is a close second.

Every time I send out a notice reminding people that I am still alive, I get a few emails requesting to be taken off my mailing list. (How dare me contact people offering my services!)

The truth is, the faster you ask to be taken off my list, the I better I Iike you. Why would I want to talk to you if you do not want to talk to me? I am not in business to hurt you … cheat you …manipulate you … or lie…

  — Travel Research Online
Read the rest of this article »

60-Second Geography

Discover Taiwanese Culture with Super Value Tours
by Elizabeth Cody
Tuesday February 14, 2017

Taiwan is a dynamic and affluently cultural country, apparent to any visitor lucky enough to grace its shores. The natural beauty of Taiwan is still relatively untouched, with soaring cliffs of marble and jade, mineral-rich hot springs, and sparkling lakes where the sky meets the water. Even the largest and most bustling of cities honor the traditions of generations past in their architecture and way of life.

  — Travel Research Online
Read the rest of this article »

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


Getting Ready for Alaska!

Getting Ready for Alaska!

Tuesday, February 21, 2017 at 1 pm EST/10 am PST

With 30 years of global travel experience, ShoreTrips co-owners Barry and Julie Karp have an intuitive sense of the desires of today’s travel savvy audience. They have focused on creating smaller, more personal tours and experiences. ShoreTrips currently offers more than 2,400 excursions and activities in more than 420 cruise ship ports of call and 180 cities throughout the world.

Register Now ➠


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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