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Thursday March 30, 2017

Destinations

Accordions, Étouffée and Nonstop Dancing in a Zydeco Capital
Eggs, zydeco and dancing are a year-round Saturday morning tradition in Breaux Bridge, but on this particular morning in late April last year, the crowd also included a smattering of partyers from the Festival International de Louisiane…

Best Caribbean beaches: Hot spots and hidden gems
Even if you’ve been there and done that, chilling on a Caribbean beach never gets old. Whether you like snorkeling, swimming and sunbathing, people-watching on party beaches or the sand less traveled where you draw your own private line in the sand…

The world's happiest country?
How have Colombians maintained their renowned happiness in the face of unimaginable atrocity, loss and economic…

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Tours and Activities

Hidden gems: Beautiful public lands from @Interior
The US Department of the Interior manages everything from national parks to wildlife refuges to public lands, so who better to ask about America's hidden gems …

The world's 20 friendliest cities - which UK destination made the cut?
A poll of 120,000 Conde Nast Readers reveals the worlds's 20 friendliest cities. Here's the one's chosen in the United Kingdom…

Niagara Falls' Maid of the Mist boats planning early launch
The Maid of the Mist tour boats at Niagara Falls are being readied for their earliest launch ever. The famed boats that bring passengers from the New York shore to the base of the falls in the lower Niagara River will open the 2017 season on…

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Cruise

First Look at Carnival's Newest Cruise Ship Waterpark
Carnival Cruise Line continues to pour millions in updating their cruise ships and Carnival Glory recently returned from drydock with the addition of the cruise…

Woman frustrated cruise line won't offer refund after trip cut short
A Jacksonville woman has a warning for other travelers after she said she had a bad experience during her vacation. Travel agent warns cruise passengers to insure trips…

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Transportation

A former flight attendant on the most annoying things that passengers do
Working as cabin crew for Ryanair was one of the worst jobs that Joseph* says he has ever had. But not for the reasons you might think.…

Passenger sues airline after another flier drops a bag on her head from the overhead cabin
A woman claims she has been left with a permanent dent on her forehead and other…

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Lodging

Top 10: the best Cotswolds hotels
An expert guide to the top spa hotels in the Cotswolds, including the best for pampering treatments, swimming pools, saunas, steam rooms and hot tubs, as well as gardens, gourmet dining, first-class service and cosy bars…

12 of Amsterdam's best canalside hotels
Amsterdam's canals are one of the best things about the city. Staying in a hotel next to one makes them even better…

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Other and Odd

Border agent searches of Americans' cellphones spark lawsuit
After an NBC News report on U.S. citizens having their cellphones searched at the border, an advocacy group has filed suit seeking answers from…

10 Reasons To Get Out Of Your Resort And Explore
Although it is so much fun to lie around the pool and veg out on the beach at your resort, I find it disheartening when I hear that someone never…

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Today in History

Seward's Folly
On this day in 1867, the U.S. Senate purchased the territory of Alaska from the Russian Empire for the sum of 2 cents per acre, or $7.2 million (approximately $110 million in 2009 dollars). Russian knew the territory as Alyeska, the "great land", an Aleut word…

Mike's Morning Missives

5 Deadly Mistakes of Proposal Development

The proposal is your best shot at demonstrating that you are serious and qualified to help your prospect achieve his or her goals. The proposal helps you present your case in a most compelling and attractive package. It is your best shot at positioning yourself as the go-to resource. You can’t afford to shoot yourself in the foot.

With this in mind, here are five mistakes that can prove deadly to any proposal:

1. Failure to do your homework. If you neglect to base the content of your proposal on what you know about the prospect’s needs and preferences, you are setting yourself up as just another sales hack. Your proposal should explain how your service and its associated benefits are specifically tailored to your prospect’s needs.…

  — Travel Research Online
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Departures

Discover Athens with Emirates

Athens is the city of classical wonders; a land of gods and temples, of sports and plays, where scholars and philosophers first dreamed up democracy; a must-see city for anyone visiting Europe. Step into antiquity. Step into Athens. Step into the past and discover breathtaking sites from one of the most important civilizations to ever flourish.

Athens is located in the southern side of Greece along the peninsula of Attica. Protected by mountains and nearly surrounded by water, Athens is a city with a bit of something for everyone. Adding appeal to the destination, the hot summers and mild winters encourage visitors year-round.

Tourist traffic has risen over the last few decades in reaction to the city’s rehabilitation of travel infrastructure. There is a state-of-the-art international airport, a new motorway…

  — Travel Research Online
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60-Second Geography

60-Second Geography: The Mississippi River with American Cruise Lines
by Richard Earls
Thursday March 30, 2017

"The Mississippi Valley is as reposeful as a dreamland, nothing worldly about it . . . nothing to hang a fret or a worry upon.”Mark Twain, Life on the Mississippi

No body of water in the United States is as storied as the Mississippi River. Traveling along this legendary river and its tributaries is an experience set in a time past and a testament to the ingenuity of the pioneers who first traveled these waters.  The Mississippi’s shores are home to sprawling nature preserves, unique wildlife, and vivid American towns that bring you back to an earlier time.

Thanks to American Cruise Lines, the supplier sponsor of this column, you can use this 60-Second Geography article in your own travel agency’s newsletters and websites.…

  — Travel Research Online
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Luxury Travel Tips

Local Star Power
by Dan Chappelle
Thursday March 23, 2017

Last week, my in-laws decided we should all go to the casino for an afternoon of fun. I am not a big gambler, but for a few hours—I was game. One of the players at our poker table repeated these words with every hand: “Go big or go home.”

This reminded me of a big gamble I made with my travel agency. Outwardly, we were very successful, and from a sales perspective, we were. We did a fairly high volume of contemporary product. Because of this, we were often treated like VIPs—flown first class to inaugural events, served lavish dinners with industry executives, and so on. However, we were in real danger of going out of business due to low margins and high cost of sale,…

  — 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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