Destinations
Summer, Reimagined — Minus the Gridlock. Five Alternatives
Positano. Vail. St.-Tropez. Yellowstone. There’s one big problem with these vacation hot spots. Everyone knows about them. Here, trendy summer getaways are paired with five less-trafficked spots that echo the allure and offer similar recreation…
— New York Times
Lot: The Corner of the South-west France the British Haven't Discovered
Let’s put it this way: I don’t wish camper vans to be swept from the face of the earth, merely from wherever I happen to be. Earlier this month, that was in the Lot valley in south-west France, east of Cahors…
— Telegraph (London)
Join the ‘It’ crowd: Take a tour of Stephen King’s Bangor
“There’s usually more people walking here than at high noon in downtown Bangor,” says Stu Tinker. He would know: full-time for the past seven years, he’s been leading a day tour exploring Stephen King’s “Derry,” his fictional town based on Bangor…
— Boston Globe
Tours and Activities
Finland's Newest National Park
It’s this sense of escapism that will no doubt attract far more visitors to Hossa now that it has just been designated the country’s 40th national park to celebrate Finland’s centennial of independence…
— BBC
Venice by design: As the Biennale shows, this Italian City Offers more than Gondolas
La Biennale de Venezia, the architecture festival that runs from roughly May to November, is a chance to show off design innovations in a country that is all about style. It’s like Burning Man for the black-turtleneck crowd…
— Boston Globe
Cruising the Rivers of Volcano Bay
Give me an old-fashioned lazy river, a place where a man can catch his breath, not hold it. Universal’s Volcano Bay water park has a couple of them that aren’t making big headlines but play key roles in the new attraction…
— Sun Sentinel
Cruise
Fast-growing Viking Cruises Christens Third Ocean Ship
River cruise giant Viking's move into ocean cruising hit another milestone on Thursday as the company christened its third ocean ship, Viking Sky, along the waterfront of Tromso, Norway…
— USA Today
The Truth about Cruise Ship Excursions in Europe
There are excursions heavily promoted on board ships and organised by cruise lines. But when should you book their tours, and when (and how) should you explore independently? To ensure you enjoy affordable and successful days ashore it is essential to do some research before you embark your ship…
— Telegraph (London)
Transportation
Qatar Airways Wants to Buy 10% Stake in American Airlines
American Airlines announced Thursday that Qatar Airways intends to buy a 10% stake in the world’s largest carrier, but added the offer was unsolicited and would have to be approved in advance by the board…
— USA Today
United Airlines to offer Uno's Deep-Dish Pizza In-Flight
Beginning on July 1, United Airlines will offer economy passengers the option of purchasing an Uno deep-dish personal pizza on select flights departing from the U.S…
— Fox Travel News
Newlyweds who spotted United Plane Fuel leak left Stranded at the Airport
The newlywed couple who reported a fuel leak from the wing of a United Airlines plane last week claim they were abandoned at the airport overnight.
Mike and Rachel Brumfield were due to fly from Newark Liberty International Airport to Venice on 13 June, but the pair averted potential disaster by flagging up the fact that fuel was pouring from a tank in the port wing…
— The Independent
Lodging
Boston Welcomes 'Yotel': The City's First Micro-Hotel
There is a new hotel in Boston, and it is unlike anything the city has ever seen. Yotel, Boston's first micro-hotel, opened its doors Thursday. Yotel is in in the heart of the Seaport, between the luxury high rises, a buzzing neighborhood and Boston’s tech scene known as the innovation district…
— NECN
Miami Beach may Rebuild Fillmore as Part of New Hotel for Convention Center
After a year of consultant studies and debate over the need for a hotel adjacent to the Miami Beach Convention Center, a committee of elected officials and residents agree that a hotel is necessary. The differences they recommend: The hotel should be shorter than 185 feet and grow to include the stretch of public land between City Hall and Washington Avenue…
— Miami Herald
Canary Islands Holidays: the Best Resort Hotels
An expert guide to the best resort hotels in Gran Canaria, Fuerteventura, Tenerife, Lanzarote, La Gomera and La Palma, including the top places to stay for family-friendly services, infinity pools, golf courses, spas and secluded beaches…
— Telegraph (London)
Other and Odd
Why Flight Attendants Hate Summer the Most
Possibly the only scarier thought than the summer travel season is the Christmas travel season – but no, that comes a distant second. Scantily-clad graduates, unruly families, infrequent travellers, boiling weather, and overworked crews. What could possibly go wrong?…
— The Independent
Luggage Goes High-tech to Meet Travelers’ Wants and Needs
When does smart luggage become too smart? Turns out, for those on the forefront of the smart luggage industry, it’s more about solving current problems than predicting the future…
— Boston Globe
Today in History
Patent for "Type-Writer" Granted
Christopher Latham Sholes, Samuel Soule, and Carlos Glidden did not develop the first typewriter - but their design as patented on June 23, 1868 was destined to be the most successfu…
— Travel Research Online
Press Releases of Interest
American Cruise Lines Successfully Launches American Constitution
American Cruise Lines has announced that American Constitution was successfully launched on Tuesday morning. The ship was launched into the Wicomico River in Salisbury, Maryland…
— Travel Research Online
Mike's Morning Missives
Tip #16: Make Somebody’s Day
 This is Tip #16 from my Special Report written for recent high school graduates. It is also relevant to most adults. (Make that all adults.)
Show Appreciation Regularly. My good friend Stuart Cohen refers to this as the “attitude of gratitude.” Another way of looking at this is “knowing what side of the bread the butter goes on.” Showing thanks is of great importance and significance. And although everybody knows they should do it, this practice is seldom…
— Travel Research Online
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Soundings
Ships Will Continue Sailing to Cuba
by Susan Schaefer
Friday June 23, 2017
When the White  House announced that President Trump would be reversing the Obama administration’s policy changes pertaining to Cuba, many in the travel industry were concerned. Tour operators and cruise lines have made commitments and investments in Cuba travel, and many travel agents have deposited trips for clients already on the books for 2017 and 2018. The Trump administration’s plans could adversely affect a lot of businesses.
President Trump gave his speech in Miami on Friday, June 16, outlining his administration’s plans for rolling back changes the that had been made in the past three years. The president does not intend to close the recently re-opened U.S. embassy in Cuba, but he did say that the travel policy was going to be more…
— 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
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 ➠
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