Destinations
In the wilds of Mongolia
Mongolia, a country of 3 million people slightly smaller than Alaska, is one of the most sparsely populated places in the world. You can go hours, even days, without seeing another human while…
— Vancouver Sun
Go Greenland this summer
The climate here is subarctic. There are no trees and it makes for a stark landscape, emphasized by blue-hued fjords and the occasional white shimmering iceberg cutting in…
— The Boston Globe
Montreal's most interesting neighborhoods
Montreal is home to more than 200 ethnic groups that have all stitched their own patches into the urban quilt, and the city is full of distinct neighborhoods…
— CNN
Tours and Activities
Top 10 adventure holidays for your family bucket list
Extraordinary family holidays in the world's greatest adventure playgrounds, including the Grand Canyon, Machu Picchu, South Africa and Costa Rica…
— Telegraph (London)
Three Awesome Bike Tours Through Bali
You’d need nerves of steel to ride a bicycle along the narrow roads and alleyways of Bali’s popular beaches. But veer into the island’s velvet-green centre and you’ll discover a network of zigzagging country roads and forest trails where cars…
— Escape Travel News
Cruise
Cunard's Queen Victoria to get more cabins
Cunard Line plans to slice a big hunk off the back of its elegant Queen Victoria ship later this year to add about 30 cabins to the 10-year-old vessel. The work is part of a $40 million refurbishment of Queen Victoria…
— USA Today
Indonesia says British cruise ship must pay for coral damage
Indonesia's government said Wednesday that a British-owned cruise ship must pay compensation for the destruction of coral reefs in a popular tourist area known for its extensive marine biodiversity…
— The Washington Post
Transportation
Airlines don't know the rules about EU travel
“UK passports are valid for travel anywhere in the EU up to and including the expiry date. Airlines should know this.” That was what I tweeted on Monday morning, following yet another case…
— The Independent
The greatest train journey on Earth
The Trans-Siberian is more than just a railway. It’s a journey into the psyche of modern Russia; a triumph of engineering; a movable feast through the largest – and, perhaps, most mysterious – nation on Earth…
— Telegraph
Lodging
Ace Hotel Chicago now taking reservations
The soon-to-open Ace Hotel Chicago has started taking room reservations — and it’s pledged to give some of the money from these bookings to a trio of local nonprofits…
— Sun Sentinel
Hotel Packages for Cherry Blossom Time in Washington
A much-anticipated annual tradition in Washington is here: The National Cherry Blossom Festival will take place through April 16. The event, celebrating its 90th anniversary, commemorates the 1912 gift of 3,000 cherry trees from Japan…
— New York Times
Other and Odd
Six of the strangest St Patrick's Day celebrations
In some senses, the context is the same. It is an island, lushly green in parts, which has a back-story that deals heavily in Celtic culture – to the extent that St Patrick’s Day and the talismanic figure…
— Telegraph (London)
Cheapest Holiday Prices Where Your Dollar Will Go Further
Want to know where your holiday dollar stretches further? As much as we dream of choosing our travel destinations based on crossing off the next bucket-list item, sometimes we just want to travel as long as we can on a limited budget…
— Escape Travel News
Today in History
St. Patrick's Day
On March 17, according to tradition, St. Patrick, the patron saint of Ireland, died. Some sources record the year as 493, others say 461. Patrick was born in Roman Britain. Irish raiders…
— Travel Research Online
Agent Perspectives
Anita Pagliasso, President and Founder of Ticket To Travel
by Elizabeth Cody
Friday January 13, 2017
Anita Pagli asso took a leap of faith in 1992. Following her passion for travel, she switched gears from owning a successful and thriving electronic manufacturing rep business in the heart of Silicon Valley, CA., to opening her home-based travel business, Ticket To Travel. In 1993, Anita accepted Gary Fee’s challenge to become the San Jose/Bay Area Chapter director, which during parts of her 20 plus year reign became the OSSN flagship chapter.
Anita serves as the Conference Director for the Travel Agent Forums, where she is responsible for educational content, securing relevant authors, keynote speakers, travel industry top executives, and co-coordinating panels and panelists, all while working closely with the staff at Travel Show Marketing Group.
Anita is also a charter Executive Board member and…
— Travel Research Online
Read the rest of this article »
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Soundings
Ships Are Getting Edgier
by Susan Schaefer
Friday March 17, 2017
This week saw t he reveal of Celebrity’s newest ship, Celebrity Edge, which will begin sailing the Eastern and Western Caribbean starting in December 2018.
What’s new about the Celebrity Edge? It’s hard to decide where to start with the new innovations that Celebrity is rolling out with this…
— Travel Research Online
Read the rest of this article »
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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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Upcoming Training Opportunities
“Fun and Fast Facts” in Growing your Tour Sales
Thursday, March 23, 2017 at 1 pm EDT/10 am PDT
Join us for a webinar, where your knowledge about Insight Vacations and guided vacations will assist with increasing your tour sales.
Register Now ➠
Top Vacations to Celebrate Canada’s 150th Birthday
Wednesday, March 22, 2017 at 1 pm EDT/10 am PDT
There has never been a better time to visit Canada. The exchange rate continues to offer great value for your clients and this year the country celebrates its 150th birthday! Learn why Canada à la Carte is your one source for booking Canada vacations in this insightful webinar.
Register Now ➠
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I recently had lunch with a good friend of mine who owns a restaurant in Ft. Lauderdale, and I came away with some good business information worth sharing.
