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Thursday April 27, 2017

Destinations

In Lima, Peru, History and Culture Run Deep
History and culture run deep in Lima — about as deep as you’re willing to venture. At Huaca Pucllana (admission, 12 soles), an archaeological site right in the heart of the city, I learned about Lima’s pre-Hispanic culture and saw an adobe pyramid roughly 1,500 years old…

Pioneertown: The Weird Western Set in the California Desert
Pioneertown, California is a surreal place. Its history does not follow a normal narrative. Built as a movie set in the 1940s by Hollywood moviemakers, its main feature is a four-block-long “Mane Street” (as opposed to America’s more usual Main Streets) with spaghetti western-style edifices built at two-thirds scale, set back on a wide, dusty road…

Berry: The Secret Corner of France Where the Scots Are Always Welcome
We were in the former village school of Epineuil-le-Fleuriel, south of Bourges in the centre of France. The low-slung school, shut in 1991, had since been restored to its state of around 1900, for old time’s sake. Maps of the world shared wall space with posters about germination. Lines of wooden desks – black, sloping, inkwells at the top – filled the two rooms…

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Tours and Activities

Myanmar bird's eye view: Bagan's Buddhist temples by balloon
The moment of takeoff was silent, and mesmerizing. Within seconds, our hot air balloon was floating above the treetops, gliding toward what Marco Polo called “one of the finest sights in the world” when he saw it 700 years ago: the ancient Myanmar city of Bagan…

Romania: Slow cycling through a country stuck in a time warp
The Saxon village of Viscri is in southern Transylvania in Romania, but forget vampires and bloodsucking counts, unless you want a wooden souvenir to hang on the back of your loo door. This was just one stop on a new, long long-weekend “slow cycling” trip during which I would pedal sedately through pastures strewn with an amazing array of wildflowers, and amble along shaded woodland tracks and down country roads shared only with a horse and cart…

History buff? Don't miss these forgotten World War II sites in England
England's Kent county was a dangerous place to be during World War II. After the Germans occupied France in 1940, all that separated the county on the southeastern tip of the United Kingdom from the Nazis was the 26-mile English Channel. Its local defense teams and the Royal Air Force bore the brunt of the Battle of Britain, as German planes dropped bombs over the countryside…

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Cruise

Royal Caribbean to Begin Cruising From Melbourne; But Voyager of the Seas Will Not Return To Australia
Voyager of the Seas will not return to Australia for the 2018/19 summer cruise season, instead remaining in Singapore year-round, Royal Caribbean has revealed today. In other news, Radiance of the Seas is set to offer the line’s first departure from Melbourne, as well as three new cruises from Auckland and a range of shorter cruises from Sydney…

Backstreet Boys, Salt-N-Pepa and More 90s Pop Stars Headline 2018 Theme Cruises
he list of theme cruises being offered in 2018 takes a '90s twist with a pair of boy band and hip hop sailings announced for next year, both on Carnival Sensation…

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Transportation

United Airlines Overbooking: How Much Money Would it Take for You to Miss A Flight?
“United to pay passengers thousands to give up seats” was just one of the headlines that heralded the changes at one of the world’s top three airlines. A panel on the front page of United's website is marked “Actions speak louder than words”. Click on it, and you learn that the airline is “making changes to ensure that we always put customers first." A cynical traveller might wonder what United’s top priority has been until now, if it wasn’t putting travellers first?…

Pilot, company culture blamed for 2015 fatal Alaska crash
Pilot error, an air company’s culture and its lack of a formal safety program were behind a fatal crash that killed nine people two years ago on sightseeing flight in Alaska, the National Transportation Safety Board determined Tuesday…

Qantas non-stop Perth-London flights go on sale from $2270
It’s the flight Aussies have been waiting to book. Qantas’ direct Perth-London route goes on sale today, initially priced from $2270 for a return economy fare, but the airline says that figure is likely to be reduced to under $2000 during sales…

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Lodging

Minibar Mania: You’ll Want to Visit These Hotels Just for the In-Room Goodies
There are hotels breathing new life into their tired old minibars, with local and exclusive snacks and drinks that are so good you might be tempted to pull on your hotel bathrobe, slide between those higher-thread-count-than-home sheets, and stay in for the night…

The world's first official Star Wars-themed hotel to open at Walt Disney World Orlando
Have you sensed a great disturbance in The Force of late? It may well be because Disney has just unveiled plans for the world's biggest and best Star Wars-themed hotel. Social media is abuzz with excitement at the prospect of an immersive and interactive Star Wars story experience, set over two days, to entertain guests during their stay…

Top 10: the best Hong Kong hotels with pools
An insider's guide to the top hotels in Hong Kong with a pool, including the best for harbour vistas, spacious spas, rooftop pools, Michelin-starred restaurants, romantic bars and outdoor whirlpool tubs, with views overlooking Hong Kong Island, Kowloon, The Peak and Hong Kong Harbour…

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Other and Odd

Is this the greatest travel accessory you've never heard of?
A few weeks ago I applied for a Monzo card. It’s a terrible name and, as it happens, the card is a terrible bright pink colour. But I’ve tested it out on trips to Rome and Madrid, and so far it has proved an excellent option…

11 Beauty Products Flight Attendants Swear By
We asked flight attendants for their style tips, and five factors quickly emerged as key to a polished in-flight appearance. Although passengers are by no means required to dress up, these cabin crew habits can help anyone who wants to look fly in the sky (or upon landing, for that matter)…

Today in History

The Death of Magellan
Fernao de Magalhaes, better known in English as Ferdinand Magellan, convinced the Spanish King to finance the quest for a Western route to the Indonesian Islands. On September 20, 1519, Magellan set sail…

Mike's Morning Missives

Identify Your Base and Build on Your Strengths: Part 1

I could definitely grab your attention by citing a handful of today’s headlines dealing with world of politics, dangerous weather situations, sports upsets, education reforms, city mayhem, juvenile delinquency and crime in our schools and on our streets. Let it suffice to say that we are living in unsettling times, and from my vantage point, there is no sign of immediate relief.

My question to you is, "Is it time for you to throw in the towel?" Are you ready to raise your hands and surrender? Has the visual of a passenger’s butt-crack being manhandled off a jet airplane represent the last straw? Have you seen, heard, and witnessed enough? We are surely being…

  — Travel Research Online
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Spotlight

Discover the World by Train with Vacations By Rail

Founded in 2004, Vacations By Rail is dedicated to the belief that the journey to a destination should be just as important and exciting as the destination itself. The company strives to give clients the journey and destinations they desire..

As North America’s leading supplier of train travel and vacations, offering the largest selection of train trips, escorted rail tours, luxury train journeys, and custom train tours to destinations all over the world, Vacations By Rail is a trusted authority in the train travel space. Their commitment to first-class customer service keeps them ahead of the curve. Dedicated rail specialists share their in-depth product knowledge and first-hand rail experience to assist travel agents in planning a rail vacation best suited to their client’s needs …

  — Travel Research Online
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TRO SMITH

Do Your Social Ads WOW? – 5 Ways to Out Perform

What would you do if you worked in a brick and mortar storefront business and your walk-in traffic dropped by 50%?  Yikes, you’d probably be thinking about moving or advertising, right?

Well, as a travel, tourism or hospitality pro, moving is probably not in the cards.  So that leaves advertising.  Now that organic social reaching is dropping quicker than you can say ‘travel’ (some estimate a 50% drop year over year), we need to power up our social ad…

  — Travel Research Online
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Luxury Travel Tips

Direct Channel
by Dan Chappelle
Thursday April 27, 2017

I have been fortunate to have spent most of my career as an agent, agency owner, and in consortia management. But as a former cruise line sales executive, I also have the luxury of the supplier perspective on many subjects that affects travel professionals every day.

Some years ago, while the owner of a successful cruise agency, I was interviewed by a major travel industry trade publication for my opinion, on what was and is still a very sensitive subject. The question put forth was “Do you believe that cruise lines should continue to grow their direct business channel?” My answer might surprise you. I responded, “Yes, absolutely."

The reason, while not a popular one, remains as valid today as it did then. Cruise lines (and other…

  — 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!


Upcoming Training Opportunities


Getting Ready for Alaska!

Getting Ready for Alaska!

Thursday, May 11, 2017 at 1 pm EDT/10 am PDT

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 ➠


All-Inclusive Mexico and Caribbean with Sirenis Hotels & Resorts

All-Inclusive Mexico and Caribbean with Sirenis Hotels & Resorts

Tuesday, May 9, 2017 at 1 pm EDT/10 am PDT

Sirenis Hotels & Resorts boasts three breathtaking all-inclusive properties in the Caribbean and Mexico. Grand Sirenis Matlali Hills Resort & Spa is a boutique luxury hotel with 117 adult only suites located in the hills of Riviera Nayarit, Mexico, just 10 minutes from Banderas Bay. Grand Sirenis Riviera Maya Resort & Spa is known for its award winning Spa Grand Sirenis, onsite Dolphin Discovery, EcoSirenis nature trails, and exceptional coral reef snorkeling right by the beach. At Sirenis Punta Cana Resort Casino & Aquagames, guests enjoy a variety of fine dining options, a long stretching beach with crystal clear Caribbean Sea water, and free access to the onsite water park, Sirenis Aquagames.

Register Now ➠


The Best of Alberta with Canada à la Carte

The Best of Alberta with Canada à la Carte

Thursday, May 4, 2017 at 12 pm EDT/9 am PDT

Alberta is a magical destination, where thrilling outdoor adventures blend with vibrant arts and cultural opportunities. From skiing and skating to spas, heritage museums and shopping, it is a vacation destination that offers something for everyone at any time of the year.

Register Now ➠


How to hit it the “Reset” button on your business

How to hit it the “Reset” button on your business

Tuesday, May 2, 2017 at 11 am EDT/8 am PDT

Are You Driven by the Freedoms Your Travel Business Should Provide?

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