Destinations
36 Hours in Tokyo
Contemplating the physical sprawl of Tokyo is dizzying. The Japanese megalopolis has no discernible center, and clusters of skyscrapers miles apart defy the idea of a downtown core…
— New York Times
5 Idyllic Private Island Retreats
How do you avoid the throngs of sun seekers when you just want a waterfront vacation away from it all? A private island, where you're secluded from all but a handful of staff and fellow guests, may be just what the doctor ordered…
— CNN
Austria Delights Music Lovers
Music lovers find special delights in Austria. In Salzburg at my favorite hotel, I lay in bed a hundred meters from Mozart’s dad. He’s just outside my window in the graveyard of the St. Sebastian church. When in town, I like sleeping within easy earshot of its bells. The bells of Salzburg ring with a joyful exuberance…
— Miami Herald
Tours and Activities
Take Me Away: The wonders of Rome's Pantheon
Ah, Roma! The pasta, the passegiata. But what we really visit Rome for again and again is its incredible history. The ancient Romans were innovators in so many different arenas, and perhaps the most impressive of their contributions are in architecture…
— USA Today
Is the London Pass really worth the money?
We’re on the final afternoon trying out the Willy Wonkerish golden tourism ticket that is the six-day London Pass, which allows entry into pretty much any of the city’s attractions. It's cost £470 for me, my wife Dinah and our two children and I am in a money-saving frenzy…
— Telegraph (London)
Chihuly Glass Exhibit Blooms in the Bronx
Spring flowers aren't the only things beautifying the New York Botanical Garden: The 250-acre landscape is hosting a new exhibit of Dale Chihuly's glass sculptures. "Chihuly" marks the Seattle-based artist's first major garden exhibition in New York in more than a decade. The show debuted in late April and will stick around through Oct. 29…
— Baltimore Sun
Cruise
Norwegian Cruise Line Welcomes Ship Custom-built for China
The first Norwegian Cruise Line ship built exclusively for the Chinese market is now officially part of the company's fleet. Norwegian on Thursday took delivery of the 3,883-passenger Norwegian Joy in Bremenhaven, Germany from German shipbuilder Meyer Werft, which has been constructing the vessel for more than year…
— USA Today
Just Back From Regal Princess Dry Dock: Ocean Medallion Technology Installed, Plus Other Updates
When Regal Princess leaves dry dock today -- following an 11-day update at the Blohm Voss shipyard in Hamburg -- it will be fully kitted out with Ocean Medallion Technology and ready to take on its new Ocean Medallion Class status…
— CruiseCritic.com
Transportation
Small Airports get - and get ready for - International Service
In the past, the biggest and busiest U.S. airports had the market for international air service all to themselves. Now smaller airports, such as Bradley International, near Hartford, Conn.; T.F. Green Airport, near Providence, R.I.; and Stewart International Airport, in New York’s Hudson Valley; have snagged some direct flights to Europe and a potentially profitable slice of the trans-Atlantic air service pie…
— USA Today
Amazing luxury trains: Trans Siberian Express, Eastern
Just as cruising is booming in Australia, rail travel is on the rise. Rail Plus commercial director Ingrid Kocijan says luxury rail travel is appealing not only because of the trains but because, like cruising, it has the “unpack once” factor…
— Escape
United Airlines Reaches Settlement With Passenger Who Was Dragged Off Plane
David Dao, the doctor who was seen being dragged off a United Airlines jet this month in videos that sparked widespread outrage, has reached a settlement with the airline for an undisclosed amount, his lawyers said on Thursday. The April 9 episode had stoked the fears and frustrations of airplane passengers everywhere and became a public relations nightmare for United…
— New York Times
Lodging
This Luxury Hotel on a Remote Canadian Island is like Staying at the End of the World
There are no signs that lead to Fogo Island Inn. Located on a remote island in Newfoundland, Canada, the hotel sits on a cliff that looks over nothing but miles of the North Atlantic Ocean…
— Travel Leisure
Columbus' new Hotel LeVeque shines in Capital City's Iconic Skyscraper
For decades, the LeVeque Tower reigned over Columbus, an Art Deco beauty and a symbol of the city. Once one of the world's tallest buildings, the tower lost some of her luster in recent years, as newer, more modern structures filled the capital skyline. This year, the LeVeque recaptures some of her glory days, after a sparkling $27 million renovation. Its centerpiece: The elegant, 149-room Hotel LeVeque, decked out in 1920s-era splendor…
— Cleveland.com
Concrete thinking's in fashion at Brussels' brutalist Jam Hotel
Brussels is a city of grand townhouses and art nouveau. Yet plonked in the middle of the Belgian capital, on a nondescript street corner, has appeared a hotel that looks like downtown LA had it been swallowed by lava. An old 1970s art college has been redesigned and rebuilt, by people who usually make film sets, to become the oddest, most fashionable, most affordable stopover in Europe…
— The Guardian
Other and Odd
Want to be an adventure tour leader? You have a better chance of getting into Dartmouth.
Since January, Backroads has been hosting day-long events on two continents, searching for trip leaders to head such active-exotic outings as biking in New Zealand, hiking along Spain’s Camino de Santiago and camping in the Canadian Rockies…
— The Washington Post
The Most Annoying Things People Do at the Airport
In some airports they have a “please stand behind the line” border marked out on the floor a metre or so back from the carousel. When people respect it, things work a lot more smoothly; but as soon as one person decides to be a carousel hog it leads to a knock on effect and before you know it the entire carousel is compromised…
— Escape
Today in History
Aloha Airlines Flight 243
On April 28, 1988, Aloha Airlines Flight 243 took off from Hilo International Airport at 1:25 PM for the short flight to Honolulu. On board were 90 passengers and five crew members…
— Travel Research Online
Press Releases of Interest
Back-Roads Touring Co extends Sailing Offer
Back-Roads Touring Co's current sailing offer in the…
— Travel Research Online
Soundings
How To Get the Most Out of Duty-Free Shopping in the Caribbean
by Jan Ross
Thursday April 27, 2017
Until I went on a Caribbean cruise recently with a bunch of girlfriends I always thought “duty-free” was just another excuse to get all those vacationers into the shops to stuff their shopping bags full of items that could be had back home for roughly the same price. I learned on this trip that I was completely wrong.
This time, because some of my girlfriends were actually going to the pre-port shopping talks I have always avoided, I decided to give it a chance. Previously I had traveled with my husband, who was about as interested in shopping as he is in packing a rabid marmoset into his suitcase.
 — 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
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
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
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
Tuesday, May 2, 2017 at 11 am EDT/8 am PDT
Are You Driven by the Freedoms Your Travel Business Should Provide?
Register Now ➠
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With 10% as our growth target, it is time to get busy. You should now have a list all of your clients, and I want you to now categorize them into three specific tiers. For the sake of simplicity we will refer to them as “A,” “B,” and…
