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Editor’s Note — TRO wants to remind its Travelgram readers the articles presented here are meant to assist you in remaining informed and prepared to discuss travel news of the day with clients.
Destinations
Downtown Miami: More Than a Gateway to the Beach
Downtown Miami is bustling again, and a new express train connecting it to Palm Beach is set to deliver more visitors by year's…
— New York Times
My Edinburgh: Our Resident Expert's Favourite Places
From the medieval tenements and secret wynds of the Old Town to the glorious sweep of the New Town; from douce Morningside to shabby-chic Leith, Edinburgh is a city of infinite variety…
— Telegraph (London)
It’s About Time you Visited the Least Visited Country in Europe
With only 60,000 visitors last year, San Marino became Europe’s least-visited country in 2016. While it’s certainly no under-the-radar destination, the microstate, which is landlocked by Italy and lies just a short distance from the Adriatic Coast, holds a lot of historical, cultural, and eye-candy appeal…
— Escape
Tours and Activities
Maine Sculpture Park Pleases Creatures of all Sizes with its Creatures of all Sizes
Bernard Langlais turned to more down-home art, mostly rough-hewn carvings of animals, creatures, and occasional people, much of it then scattered throughout the 90-acre estate…
— The Boston Globe
How to See New York on the Cheap
Venturing to one of the most expensive cities in the world doesn’t have to burn a hole in your wallet. There are plenty of sightseeing, dining, drinking and cultural activities to take advantage of…
— Escape
Cruise
New Cruise Ship Carnival Horizon to have Guy Fieri Eatery with Working Brewery
Carnival this week said its 3,954-passenger Carnival Horizon will be home to a new concept called Guy's Pig…
— USA Today
19 Things to Know Before your Alaska Cruise
About two million people visit Alaska a year and cruising is a popular way to do it. Holland America Line, the first tour company in Alaska back in 1947, this year increased their ships to seven, with 135 Alaska departures. Here is what you should know before you go…
— Escape
Transportation
New Train Breaks Down on First Outing causing Rush-Hour Chaos
The first Intercity Express Train to run in passenger service caused rush-hour mayhem this morning when it broke down at Taplow in Berkshire, with Transport Secretary Chris Grayling and other dignitaries on board…
— The Independent
'Technical Issue' on AirAsia Flight sends Plane Plummeting: 'Hostesses started Screaming'
AirAsia has commended the crew of a recent flight for “complying with standard operating procedure” during an emergency landing on Sunday, but passengers say the cabin crew was anything but calm…
— Fox Travel News
Lodging
Surf and Safari: Packages Offer Two Hotels, Two Experiences
City or country, jungle or beach, safari or surf? Hotels are taking the decision-making out of travel by offering guests packages that combine different destinations into one vacation…
— New York Times
Hotel del Coronado: San Diego's Luxury Landmark for 129 Years
Since its opening in 1888, the hotel has been a San Diego landmark, its silhouette rising from the coastline like a sandcastle reaching for the sky…
— USA Today
Unscripted Durham puts the Focus on Fun
Unscripted Durham, which opened its doors in July, feels like the tireless teenager to its older-but-still-hip siblings, the art-loving 21c Museum Hotel Durham and scene-making The Durham Hotel…
— The Boston Globe
Other and Odd
How to Travel without Looking like a Tourist
If you manage to blend in just a little, you are responding to that culture rather than just imposing yourself; you can become an observer, not a spectator. Here are some good tips…
— Telegraph (London)
Here's How Much Airlines Can Pay When They Lose Your Luggage
When an airline loses your luggage, it’s never fun. But smart travelers can end up collecting major cash after such instances if they follow the correct protocol…
— The Huffington Post
Today in History
Marie Antoinette is Executed
At the height of the French Revolution, King Louis XVI and his Queen Marie Antoinette were imprisoned and deposed. No longer referred to by their royal titles, they became the "Carpets" a non-royal designation of their family name…
— Travel Research Online
Editorial Musings
Beyond the lens of the news in the Virgin Islands
by John Frenaye
Monday October 16, 2017
While catastrop hic weather impacts each of our businesses routinely, it is still very easy to sit back and wait for the re-build. Hotels are insured we always say. And they are. We see cherry-picked scenes from the news—sometimes horribly inaccurate (I recall a major network filling a pothole with water after Katrina to make it look like the city was still flooded); yet many times they go for the easy shot. Or maybe it is the only shot available. That begs the question, what lies beyond the lens of the news.
Hurricane Irma did a number on the US Virgin Islands. Niko Dellios is digital photographer currently in the islands and was able to put together a video on the destruction we may not have seen…
— Travel Research Online
Read the rest of this article »
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Mike's Morning Missives
I Wish I Was Sailing!
 Sailing is the one thing that completely “takes me away.” Christopher Cross was right on the money when he sang, "Sailing. It’s not far back to paradise. At least it’s not for me."
Oh well! Back to reality. Sailing will have to wait. The next best thing to sailing is signing a new…
— Travel Research Online
Read the rest of this article »
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Publishers Corner
The Psychology of Closing the Sale
by Richard Earls
Sunday October 15, 2017
You must have d one something right, Mr. or Ms. Travel Professional. Your marketing must be working. The prospective client called and asked to meet with you. You chose a great meeting location, maybe your agency office, maybe a coffee shop. You dressed the part, you rehearsed the meeting and prepared well. You made a terrific presentation. Now it's time to ask for the prospective client's business. You can feel the tension. Why is closing so difficult?
Because we make it difficult. Is there any possibility shifting from a transactional model to a relationship/consulting model will remove some of the pressure of "the…
— Travel Research Online
Read the rest of this article »
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One-to-One Interviews
Marco Frank, Trade Manager, VISITFLANDERS
Marco Frank has devoted more than 15 years of his life to the travel industry, working various positions. Currently, he works for VISITFLANDERS as the Trade Manager. An experienced marketing and development leader, Marco Frank knows how to establish a brand and works tirelessly to help show Flanders in the limelight. From marketing to sales, to coding and graphic design, Marco wears many different hats when it comes to responsibility, and his natural love of travel has pushed him forward to succeed in the field. Marco Frank is passionate about Flanders, and after talking with him just a bit you will be too. Read on to find out more about Marco Frank, and VISITFLANDERS.
— 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
Offshore Outpost Expeditions Inaugural Season Webinar
Thursday, October 26, 2017 at 1 pm EDT/10 am PDT
You’re sitting on the deck, sipping a margarita as the chef is preparing for dinner the fish you caught today. You feel the warm breeze on your face as you sail through the pristine Sea of Cortez with only eleven other guests. Is this a dream? No, you are on board the Pacific Provider, a unique expedition ship. You have spent the day fishing while your buddies have been kayaking and paddle boarding. With 3 tenders and 1 zodiac and only 12 guests you can truly personalize your adventure. Later you’ll retire to your stateroom which offers unmatched privacy, complete with premium linens, a full en-suite bathroom, breathtaking views from large picture windows, TV and ample storage space. Tomorrow you’ll be exploring hidden bays and waterways that larger ships can’t access. After a day of swimming and snorkeling, why not come back to the ship and relax in the jacuzzi?
Register Now ➠
ARGENTINA POINT TO POINT WITH AEROLINEAS ARGENTINAS
Thursday, October 19, 2017 at 1 pm EDT/10 am PDT
There are many reasons why one should really visit Argentina. Actually it is quite simple: Argentina is maximum diversity in nature, adventure, and culture. There are only a few places in the world where you can find glaciers, deserts, mountains, jungle, sea coast, and volcanoes all in one country.
Register Now ➠
Next Stop Serengeti: Book Clients on Precision Air to Discover Tanzania’s Magical Wildlife
Wednesday, October 18, 2017 at 3 pm EDT/12 pm PDT
The vast plains of the Serengeti National Park cover almost 5,700 square miles – and the annual wildebeest migration across the Serengeti is the most spectacular wildlife event on the planet. The migration is the lifeblood of the plains, fertilizing the soil, and providing vital protein for predators – without it, the entire eco-system would collapse. A glimpse into the interconnectedness of life itself!
Register Now ➠
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