Destinations
10 Great Last-Minute Vacations This Summer
Think it’s too late to plan a memorable summer vacation? Think again. Here are 10 vacation possibilities for late August, including an African safari, a European cruise and a bike trip through Provence, France…
— New York Times
Siem Reap City Guide: How to Spend a Sustainable Weekend in North West Cambodia
At long last this city is stepping out from the shadow of the temples of Angkor and into its own light, as a destination for sustainable tourism…
— The Independent
The Perfect Weekend Break in...Paphos
Paphos has more than risen to its moment in the cultural spotlight, with a host of events from Misia, the soul of fado music, singing in the Ancient Odeon, to the first ever performance staged at Aphrodite’s Rock…
— Telegraph (London)
Tours and Activities
10 New UNESCO World Heritage Sites to Add to your Bucket List
The new UNESCO World Heritage sites announced each year also provide an opportunity to learn about beautiful locations that most of the world has never heard of…
— USA Today
The Best Things to Do in Coney Island
Coney Island, Brooklyn, is as synonymous with summer as popsicles and fireworks. In southern Brooklyn along the waterfront, this seaside community has always been known as a place for New York City's freaks and weirdos to feel welcome…
— CNN
Cruise
FBI Investigating Death from Domestic Dispute on Cruise Ship
Princess Cruises said the woman died Tuesday night on the Emerald Princess, which was carrying 3,400 passengers and 1,100 crew members on a weeklong trip that left Sunday from Seattle…
— The Washington Post
Why Your Next Family Vacation Should Be on a Cruise
If you’re looking for a failsafe family vacation and you haven’t been on a cruise lately (or ever), you’ll likely be pleasantly surprised by the family-centric and affordable options that have emerged in recent years…
— Conde Nast Traveler
Transportation
Hawaiian: Airbus A321neos will Fly on New Year-Round Routes from West Coast
The Honolulu-based airline says the three new year-round routes will be enabled by the carrier's new Airbus A321neo jets, which are due to begin arriving to the company by the end of the year…
— USA Today
Fight Between Pilot and Attendant Delays US Flight for Two Hours
A flight from New York to Portland was delayed by two hours after an argument between a pilot and a flight attendant on board. The row took place on Monday morning before the Delta flight left LaGuardia Airport…
— The Independent
United, Frontier Airlines Feuding over Denver Airport and Flyers may Win
United will be pushing back on the encroaching Frontier Airlines, an ultralow-cost rival that's based at the Denver airport and has expansionary ambitions there. Frontier recently said it is adding 21 destinations from the Mile High City, with more to come…
— Chicago Tribune
Lodging
This Might be the Creepiest Motel in the World
The Clown Motel in Tonopah, a tiny former mining town halfway between Las Vegas and Reno, is, as its name suggests, home to hundreds of clowns.
They decorate the reception, bedrooms, hallways and walls and have been attracting and terrifying tourists around the globe for the past two decades…
— Fox Travel News
Disney allowing Hotel Guests to Skip Check-In Lines
Visitors are able to go directly to their rooms to unpack and unwind — without the traditional stop at the front desk to check in. For room keys, they’ll use the customized MagicBands shipped to their homes after completing a virtual check-in…
— Orlando Sentinel
Rebranding of Public Hotel brings back Part of Famed Name: Ambassador
Journal Hotels, which has restored several properties in Los Angeles, has reimagined the hotel and restored part of its name: Ambassador. But it remains uncertain whether the second reboot will be be the charm for a hotel that's not only off the beaten path, but surrounded by a flush of other small, trendy hotels…
— Chicago Tribune
Other and Odd
How To Travel The World As A Digital Nomad
Despite what you may believe, it is actually entirely possible to live the life of a digital nomad and still get paid. You don’t have to sacrifice travel for work, and plenty of people have figured out how to strike a balance between the two…
— The Huffington Post
Clever Ways to Get a Free Flight Upgrade, According to a Travel Expert
There are ways to achieve the much-coveted free upgrade, Robin Chiang, the head of KAYAK Australia, told news.com.au. And it could be as easy as being strategic about where you book your economy seat…
— Escape
Today in History
The de Havilland Comet
July 27, 1949 saw the inaugural flight of the de Havilland Comet, the world's first commercial jet airliner…
— Travel Research Online
Mike's Morning Missives
Series Part Four: Presenting
 You have scheduled face time. Now is not the time to tell anybody how smart you are. Based on the information you uncovered during the fact-finding session, all you are doing is outlining the services you are in position to provide your prospect. There is no need to be cute, or to try to be anything you are not. No need to sound “clever.” No up-selling, no overcoming objections, and no closing.
The sales profession is full of blowhards and deceitful practitioners who are easy to detect from 500 yards. Don’t be one of them. Here is a novel idea: Be yourself. (Unless you happen to be one of those deceitful blowhards.)
You should now have a pretty good feel for their wants, needs and where the…
— Travel Research Online
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TRO SMITH
From Criminal to Superstar: 6 Image Licensing Secrets
by Catherine Heeg
Thursday July 27, 2017
Remember when i t was easy enough to snap a photo on a fam trip and use it in your next newsletter?
Remember when you had to spend huge dollars to buy an image to use in a newspaper ad?
Remember when… back in the ‘good ol’ days’ of travel marketing there were only a few sources for images and only a few reasons to use…
— Travel Research Online
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Departures
Baroque History in Antwerp with VISITFLANDERS
by Simone Hasskew
Thursday July 27, 2017
From art  lovers to history buffs, Antwerp has something for everyone. With beautiful Renaissance and Gothic-style buildings, famous Flemish art, and the oldest animal park in Belgium, Antwerp is a charming place to blend the past with the present. Thanks to VISITFLANDERS, the supplier sponsor for this article, you will not miss a moment of Antwerp’s exciting activities.
— Travel Research Online
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Luxury Travel Tips
Are You Missing Out on the “Next Big Thing” in Travel Sales?
by Dan Chappelle
Thursday July 27, 2017
In case you mis sed it, the luxury and niche travel business has been exploding in growth. Tour operators are offering more upscale itineraries with custom built coaches and five-star hotels than ever before. Capacity in the luxury cruise segment increased by 45% in 2016 alone, and will double again by 2020. And of course, river cruising is still on a juggernaut, fueling the growth more than any other sector.
There is no shortage of customers either. Forget the millennials – at least for now. They are not what’s driving this boom. It is in fact- the “Boomers.” According to Northern Trust, a Chicago-based wealth management firm, more than 50% of the discretionary dollars available in the market today is in the hands of, you guessed it…
— 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
Multi Channel Marketing
Wednesday, August 9, 2017 at 3 pm EDT/12 pm PDT
Using many different channels of marketing to reach your ideal customer. Learn how to use these channels to their fullest and spend your marketing dollars where they will have the greatest impact. Discover how to integrate a Multi Channel approach so that you reach as many prospects & customers as possible. Customization of your marketing message is essential to success.
Register Now ➠
Unique Aussie Rail travel ideas with Goway
Wednesday, August 2, 2017 at 3 pm EDT/12 pm PDT
Join Goway and Great Southern Railways to learn all about some unique Aussie Rail travel ideas. Experience the iconic Ghan and Indian Pacific train journeys through the eyes of Libby Cooke, a Great Southern Rail Expert - just back from experiencing these great products and learn about the specific Goway Travel ideas featuring these iconic rail journeys, plus some other great rail themed travel ideas.
Register Now ➠
Small Group Touring through Europe
Tuesday, August 1, 2017 at 1 pm EDT/10 am PDT
Please join us for an informative webinar with Back-Roads Touring Co, a London based Tour Operator specializing in leisurely paced small group escorted tours. Jim Tedesco, VP of Sales-North America at Back-Roads Touring, will explore with you the key selling points of the Back-Roads Touring experience and showcase their newly launched 2018 touring portfolio. With brand new tours across Dubai, Malta, Iceland, Naples, Madeira, and more across the UK being introduced and now on sale, the complete 2018 touring portfolio is one not to be missed. Come learn more and find out why more and more clients are choosing the roads less travelled for their next European touring experience.
Register Now ➠
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