Destinations
St. Petersburg’s Unexpected Side: Plenty of Family Fun
St. Petersburg, Russia’s second largest city with a population of about 5.3 million, may not seem like an obvious travel destination to visit with children. But as my daughter, Meenakshi, and I discovered, there is an appealing and unexpected side of the city…
— New York Times
10 Bachelorette Party Locations that aren't Las Vegas
Whether you’re a soon-to-be bride or the maid of honor, the best bachelorette party destinations are the ones that have something to please everyone in the bridal party. From a secluded New England island to a city tucked away in the Appalachian Mountains, these non-Vegas destinations are the perfect spots to celebrate the future Mrs…
— USA Today
It’s about time you went to Nova Scotia
We’ve just arrived in Halifax, Nova Scotia, for one of those trips you keep promising yourself but never seem to take; it’s so close on a map, you just assume you’ll get there eventually…
— Boston Globe
Tours and Activities
50 of London's Most Unusual (but fascinating) Museums
Venues such as the British Museum, Victoria and Albert Museum, Science Museum and Design Museum can justly lay claim to being the best in their field. But with so many famous institutions dominating the itineraries of tourists, it can be easy to overlook London's cornucopia of lesser-known gems…
— Telegraph (London)
Race through New York with Jimmy Fallon and Slide Down a Volcano at Universal Orlando
Unlike some of the rides created with cutting-edge technology that have been introduced in Orlando the last few years, Jimmy Fallon’s new attraction at Universal Studios, which uses 3D projections and motion simulator technology, has a comfortable familiarity…
— Miami Herald
Report to the Santa Barbara County Courthouse — For the View and Murals
From the observation deck atop the clock tower, you can scan a panorama of Santa Barbara's many red-tiled roofs. In the mural room below, you'll see enormous, evocative depictions of early California history…
— LA Times
Cruise
Holland America Expands Sailings to Mexican Riviera
Holland America is ramping up voyages to the Mexican Riviera. The Seattle-based line's 1,946-passenger Oosterdam will join sister ship Westerdam in offering sailings to the region for the coming winter season…
— USA Today
Is this the Med's most Sophisticated New Cruise Ship?
With 400 staff and crew for its 596 passengers, nine dining venues and all-butler suites, I’m expecting a very different cruise experience for my holiday ahead. I am joining a 10-day voyage through Greece (Santorini, Mykonos, Rhodes) and Turkey (for the ancient ruins of Ephesus and Pergamon)…
— Belfast News Letter
Transportation
Airline Complaints Spike Since United Flight 3411 Incident
Complaints by U.S. airline passenger surged in April, increasing nearly 70% from the same month in 2016. The spike came in the same month the industry was rocked by a passenger-dragging incident on United Express Flight 3411…
— USA Today
TSA tests better bomb-detecting scanners for carry-ons
Security screeners are testing a 3-D scanner to inspect carry-on bags, a measure they hope will improve their ability to detect bombs and maybe shorten lines at the checkpoint…
— Fox Travel News
Which Plane Noises Should I be Worried About?
Which sounds are routine and which should have you reaching for the in-flight safety card? The issue of aircraft noises has been addressed on the excellent website Quora, and the responses – including two from aviation experts – might just help you relax next time you’re in the sky…
— Telegraph (London)
Lodging
AAA's Favorite Hotels and Restaurants at Summer's Top 10 Vacation Spots
Now inspectors (described only by their numbers) are weighing in on their favorite places to stay and eat at the travel membership organization’s top 10 summer destinations, which include Anaheim (Disneyland, of course), Las Vegas and Honolulu…
— Sun Sentinel
Hard Rock signs off on Daytona Hotel Deal
Hard Rock International made it official on Tuesday: The worldwide brand will be putting its name on a luxury hotel on the oceanfront site of the renovated Desert Inn, once infamous as one of the dirtiest hotels in the nation…
— Daytona Beach News-Journal
The Architects Throwing out the Rulebook on Hotel Design
Radical Innovation is a competition giving architecture firms -- and students -- the opportunity to put their own original twist on hospitality design. "It began as an experiment because I wasn't seeing a lot of creativity in the hotel business," says John Hardy, CEO of The John Hardy Group, the development consultancy behind the annual competition…
— CNN
Other and Odd
Traveling Alone isn’t for Everyone — But for these Adventurers, it’s the Way to Go
These days, more myselves and Is are venturing out into the world alone. According to the Visa Travel Intentions Study, which surveyed 13,603 adults in 25 countries, the number of people traveling solo doubled between 2013 and 2015…
— The Washington Post
An App for Adventure Junkies
Choose your own thrills with Adventure Junky, a new app for iPhone and Android that allows players to navigate different experiences around the world with a little friendly competition…
— Boston Globe
Press Releases of Interest
Alaska 2017 Conference, FAM Programs Abound for NACTA Members
The National Association of Career Travel Agents (NACTA) has teamed up with Visit Anchorage to bring an extensive selection of 24 Alaska familiarization trips to travel agents participating in NACTA’s annual conference September 13-16, 2017…
— Travel Research Online
Mike's Morning Missives
Tip #11: Make Your “Last” Impression Lasting
 This tip is from my Special Report written for recent high school graduates. It is also relevant to most adults. (Make that all adults.)
First impressions are important. Within milliseconds of my laying eyes on you, I will make an opinion on whether you are my kind of person or not. This is the way human nature works. Right or wrong, that is the way things…
— Travel Research Online
Read the rest of this article »
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Soundings
Announcing Payment Plans - Not New for Travel Agents
by Susan Schaefer
Friday June 16, 2017
When Carnival C ruise Line recently announced their new EasyPay payment plan, my initial reaction was that they were coming up with yet more ways to make travel agents less valuable to cruise passengers. After learning more about it, I’m not as concerned.
For as long as I have been in the travel industry, travel agents have had the unique proposition of offering "payment plans” to their clients. Many travel agents liken it to a layaway…
— Travel Research Online
Read the rest of this article »
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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
Image Tours 101
Thursday, June 29, 2017 at 1 pm EDT/10 am PDT
Having been in business since 1939, Image Tours is one of the most experienced Europe tour operators in the world and they have earned a reputation for high quality tours at an affordable price. While their emphasis is on introducing your clients to the European way of life, Image Tours remains aware of the small details appreciated by American travelers.
Register Now ➠
Selling Autumn Rail Vacations with Canada à la Carte and VIA Rail
Wednesday, June 28, 2017 at 1 pm EDT/10 am PDT
Canada is the perfect destination for an autumn rail vacation. It is close to home, full of colorful fall adventures and a great value for your client. Join Canada à la Carte and VIA Rail Canada for an informative session on Canadian rail journeys ideal for autumn travel, including scenic vacations through Eastern Canada’s vibrant cities and coastal towns.
Register Now ➠
How to Sell Argentina with Aerolineas Argentinas
Tuesday, June 27, 2017 at 3 pm EDT/12 pm PDT
This webinar is to inform agents how to sell Aerolineas Argentinas and its domestic destinations.
Register Now ➠
New Caledonia: Where to take your clients next
Thursday, June 22, 2017 at 1 pm EDT/10 am PDT
Where to take your clients next
Located in the southwest Pacific Ocean, New Caledonia is the third largest island in the Pacific. Offering one beautiful beach after the other, here you can immerse yourself in crystal clear turquoise lagoons, and vast open spaces.
Register Now ➠
Flemish Masters – then and now
Wednesday, June 21, 2017 at 1 pm EDT/10 am PDT
Flanders, the northern part of Belgium, has a reputation for cutting edge craftsmanship. Craftsmanship that has come alive throughout the centuries and found it’s expression in the world famous Flemish Masters, painters like Rubens and van Eyck who created world famous art masterpieces. Today’s Flemish Masters are known for crafting the world’s best beers, chocolates, Michelin star dining and many more experiences for today’s sophisticated travelers.
Register Now ➠
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