Destinations
How to abseil into an underground river in Slovenia
Tales of monsters inhabiting the fearful gloom of Slovenia's caves stretch back through history. Legends abound of perpetual mist drifting from dark caverns and peculiar half-formed creatures washed into rivers by storm rains.. And right now, we're face to face with them…
— The Independent
Why you should visit Scottsdale, Arizona
This buried treasure in Arizona has all the accoutrements of modern living - sights, boutiques and fine foods - for when the coyotes and cactuses just aren't enough…
— The Washington Post
This Has Got To Be The Most Beautiful Place On Earth Right Now
If you didn’t catch any cherry blossoms this year, never fear: Japan’s wisteria season is nearly here, and there’s still enough time to plan a trip before the big bloom…
— The Huffington Post
Tours and Activities
25 coolest places in the USA to visit with kids
Family vacations are a great opportunity to escape the city and explore national parks, museums and other historic sites with the kids. These places are sure to be winners with even the most jaded children…
— USA Today
The 20 greatest destinations for flowers
The rose harvest, taking place in the mountain landscape of Jabal Akhdar between March and May, is a sensory delight when the rugged scenery is transformed by a mass of heady pink petals…
— Telegraph (London)
Cruise
Land Ho! Cruise Lines Offer Tours Beyond the Sea
Over the past decade, cruise lines have been offering more opportunities to spend time on land. Now one is starting its own land-only tour…
— New York Times
April route roundup: Where cruise lines are adding sailings
Cruise lines are constantly tweaking their schedules. Sometimes it's just the addition of a single port to a long-established itinerary. Other times it's the rollout of an all-new route. Recently announced itineraries include new voyages in Alaska, Europe…
— USA Today
Transportation
Delta meltdown: Delays drag into Sunday, improvement is slow
Delta Air Lines said it had canceled nearly 3,000 flights this week after a severe storm hit its hometown of Atlanta, Georgia and apologized for its response to the "unprecedented" weather. Delta still struggling to get flights back on time days after storms hit its Atlanta hub…
— USA Today
The drunk plane passengers you really don't want to meet on a flight
In the week that a select committee has advised restricting alcohol sales at airports, The travel team recalls their worst experiences of drunks on a plane…
— The Independent
Lodging
In Mexico City, a Beacon of Luxury Shines Brighter
At a towering 42 stories, the InterContinental Presidente has long been a Mexico City beacon. A renovation, completed in late 2015, with updates this spring and summer to some of its signature restaurants, adds a new burnish to this destination…
— New York Times
This is what happens to half-used hotel room soap
Unless you plan on holding up in a hotel room for an extended period of time, it's safe to say that complimentary bar of soap won't get used up…
— Fox Travel News
Hotels draw crowds, customers with special events
Central Florida’s hospitality industry increasingly is developing special events on its own properties. The goals: Entertain their guests, introduce themselves to locals and maybe lure away some customers…
— Orlando Sentinel
Other and Odd
How To Prepare For Crazy Travel Delays
With a week of stormy weather again hitting the east coast of the United States and backing up airline operations nationwide as a result, tens of thousands…
— The Huffington Post
The world's most dangerous city?
Benjamin Zand travelled to Pakistan – a place often associated with the Taliban – to meet some of the many young, forward-thinking people working to make their country a better place…
— BBC
Today in History
The Titanic's Maiden Voyage
On April 10, 1912 the RMS Titanic set sail on its maiden voyage. The ship departed Southampton, England, bound for New York City, New York, with Captain Edward J. Smith in command and 2,223 people aboard. The Titanic stopped in France and Ireland to pick up additional passengers…
— Travel Research Online
Editorial Musings
7 statistics on social media use by travelers that will blow your mind!
by John Frenaye
Monday April 10, 2017
AdWeek recently had an article on social media use as it relates to travelers. It piqued my interest and I dug in and came away surprised. Hopefully we are all using social media by now. A Facebook page for your agency is as required as a website and business license. And if you are not…or if you might be slacking, check out some of these…
— Travel Research Online
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Publishers Corner
Lessons for Travel Professionals from Whole Foods
by Richard Earls
Sunday April 09, 2017
OK. I confess.  It’s not cool, and entirely too hipster, but I’m a fan of Whole Foods. Yes, I know the organic grocer is sometimes the object of all manner of ridicule. However, Earth Fare, Whole Foods and Fresh Market along with some local organic grocery stores provide plenty of variety and a nice break from the standard grocer fare. I can easily walk to a Whole Foods from my house, so it is my favorite, but perhaps you have your own.
I am of the opinion there are some important lessons for travel professionals wrapped up, organically of course, in each of these grocery chains. Because my Easter dinner yesterday was the result of a very recent hunting expedition at Whole Foods, this Easter Monday marketing lesson…
— Travel Research Online
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One-to-One Interviews
Terri Burke (MCC, CTC) Managing Director of Avalon Waterways
 Terri Burke (MCC, CTC) has an extensive and varied travel background spanning over 30 years. Her travel industry career began as a frontline agent and includes executive positions with supplier and retail industry leaders including Norwegian Cruise Line, Holland America, Cruise Planners/American Express, AAA National and the Globus family of brands. As part of her travel industry career, she has successfully developed and coordinated two award-winning online travel agent universities and is a champion of travel industry education and accreditation. Through the Avalon Waterways Specialist program, Burke inspired travel professionals to become certified with this important online river cruise training…
— 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
Get Into The Show with Events 365!
Thursday, April 13, 2017 at 1 pm EDT/10 am PDT
Please join Events 365, powered by Ticket Evolution, to learn how to effortlessly earn commissions on selling event tickets to over 70k exciting live events worldwide. From Broadway to Fenway, enhance your client’s travel experience by providing them access to hard to get-into events!
Register Now ➠
Experience deluxe river cruising with Emerald Waterways
Wednesday, April 12, 2017 at 3 pm EDT/12 pm PDT
Experience deluxe river cruising with Emerald Waterways Experience the Exceptional Emerald Value on one of Europe’s newest and best-designed river cruise fleets, Emerald Waterways. Voted Best River Cruise Line For Value by the discerning experts at Cruise Critic in both 2015 & 2016, our ships and river cruises are praised for their striking design, innovative highlights and contemporary approach, setting a trip with us apart from any other river cruise. During our webinar you’ll learn what’s new for 2017, what we have coming up in 2018, hear about our brand new promotions and find out about the re-launch of our online training tool, Emerald Specialist. Sign up today to join our Regional Sales Manager, Tom Van Dorn, to learn how you can build your business with Emerald Waterways.
Register Now ➠
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This is Tip #6 in a series of 10 relationship building reminders.
