Destinations
The country with more pyramids than Egypt - but no tourists
To glimpse these Egyptian deities, portrayed so clearly in the grave of a man who died in 653BC, is an utter privilege – but, without context, also misleading. For El Kurru lies not in Egypt, but in Sudan – 275 miles north of the capital Khartoum…
— Telegraph (London)
A city with too much history to handle
Naples has a history problem: there’s just too much of it. Greek cemeteries, Roman ruins, medieval castles, Renaissance churches… it’s more than one city can maintain, and some sites will inevitably crumble – unless passionate locals take matters into their own hands…
— BBC
Tours and Activities
How Do Kids See the World on a Family Trip?
We gave six families 360-degree video cameras to show us a trip through the eyes of a child. The kids’ views varied widely and wildly by age, according to child development experts…
— New York Times
The 20 best islands in the world for a walking holiday
What is it about islands that makes them such appealing places for a walking holiday? Perhaps it’s the slower pace of life that encourages gentle rambling, that feeling of escape from the hurly-burly of the real…
— Telegraph (London)
Cruise
Photo tour: The elegance of a Celebrity Cruises ship
What's it like on a Celebrity Cruises ship? See for yourself with a scroll through our latest Cruise Ship Tour, in the carousel above, which offers a deck-by-deck look at the line's 2,850-passenger Celebrity Solstice…
— USA Today
Cruise ships are the new snowbirding paradise
Depending on their home city and income level, retirees may find living aboard a cruise ship makes financial sense when compared to other retirement living options, especially in expensive locales…
— CNBC
Transportation
$149 Europe fares? British Air parent rolls out new budget airline
A new European budget airline made waves last week when it began selling bargain-basement fares between the USA and Europe. But this new discounter isn’t some fly-by-night upstart. Instead, it’s the work of British Airways' parent company…
— USA Today
Feds remind U.S. airports, airlines they are terror targets
Federal law enforcement has warned America's airports and airlines that they remain top targets for terrorists because of their symbolic value, "inherent accessibility, and the presence of large crowds in unsecure areas," according to a new government…
— NBC News
Lodging
Family Lodging for Part-Time Nature Seekers
Family-friendly attractions like dude ranches or national parks offer full immersion into nature. Which is just fine until it storms. For those seeking a connection to nature…
— New York Times
Trumps Plot Big Hotel Expansion, but Political Problems Loom
The Trumps are launching a new hotel chain in a bold expansion of a company that critics say is already too big and opaque for an enterprise whose owner sits in the Oval Office…
— US News
Other and Odd
In the Land of Giants
he trees are so big that it would be cowardly not to deal with their bigness head on. They are very, very big. You already knew this — they’re called “giant sequoias” — and I knew it, too. But in person, their bigness still feels unexpected…
— New York Times
So THAT'S Why Traveling Messes With Your Period
Many female travelers know that taking a trip can majorly mess with your period. Travel ― especially long-haul or international journeys ― can cause periods to come late, early or skip a cycle altogether…
— The Huffington Post
Passenger on JetBlue flight bound for Florida overdoses on heroin
A plane that was about to depart Kennedy Airport for Florida was forced to return to the gate Wednesday when a 24-year-old man overdosed on heroin and anxiety medication, officials…
— Fox Travel News
Today in History
The Exxon Valdeze Oil Spill
On March 24, 1989, Captain Joseph Hazelwood grounded his boat. Unfortunately, his boat was a 30,000 ton oil tanker filled with 53,094,510 gallons of oil, of which 10.8 million gallons spilled into Prince William Sound. The resulting oil spill ranks as one of the most disastrous environmental catastrophes of…
— Travel Research Online
Mike's Morning Missives
Hard Facts of Business Life
 Many if not most wanna-be business practitioners fail to realize right from the beginning that their success will have more to do with their marketing skills than their mechanical acumen. Their enthusiasm may be in top shape and their intentions all solid enough. But it takes more. It takes a complete understanding that if potential customers do not know you exist, you have little chance to succeed.
Here are three hard facts of business life you need to internalize … now.
1. Your marketing savvy is of utmost importance. No matter how much of yourself you put into your service, no matter how terrific you think your employees are, if you are not marketing your agency properly you’re not going to be…
— Travel Research Online
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Soundings
The Nickel-And-Dime Conundrum
by Susan Schaefer
Friday March 24, 2017
It is probably  the biggest complaint we hear from clients about cruising; they feel like they are “nickeled and dimed” by the cruise lines. On most cruise lines you have to pay for sodas by the drink or through a soda package. Specialty dining involves additional fees. And then there’s the pressure to pay for spa treatments, buy excursions, pay to play Bingo, etc. We can warn clients and try to prepare them for what to expect, yet they still return and complain about all of the charges they incurred on their stateroom account.
Gratuities
One question that travel professionals have asked countless times, and we’ve yet to receive an answer from the cruise lines, is about gratuities. Why can’t they…
— 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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Upcoming Training Opportunities
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Universal Orlando Resort™ Three Parks. Endless Awesome.
Tuesday, March 28, 2017 at 1 pm EDT/10 am PDT
New attractions. New hotels. And on May 25, 2017, the new Universal’s Volcano Bay™ water theme park. If your clients haven’t visited recently they may not know all we have to offer – or that they’ll need multiple days to see and do it all. Our webinar course will ensure that you have all the information you need to offer the best Universal Orlando vacations to your clients.
Register Now ➠
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