Destinations
This Is The Best Wine Country You've Never Heard Of
It’s easy to make a comparison between California’s Napa Valley and Mexico’s Valle de Guadalupe. The only problem is that the Mexican up-and-comer wants nothing to do with such a comparison…
— The Independent
World's Fastest-Growing Tourism City is in China
Chongqing -- a major Yangtze River port in southwest China -- has become the world's fastest-growing tourism city, recording a whopping 14% growth in its tourism sector last year. Find out why travelers are flocking here and what you can do during your visit…
— CNN
Artsy and Eventful, Princeton, Ill., Makes for a Neat Small-Town Stay
Driving along I-80 and hoping for a caffeinated break in our highway drive, we began Googling. We found our small-town coffee nirvana with Flour House Bakery…
— Chicago Tribune
Tours and Activities
Five Places to Go in San Francisco
The Bayview neighborhood is coming into its own as a hub for creative, genre-bending craft alcohol producers. Raw industrial spaces are being transformed into production facilities and tasting rooms, decked out with murals by local street artists, and are drawing crowds from all over San Francisco and beyond…
— New York Times
13 Unforgettable Blue Planet Experiences
Have your own Blue Planet II adventure courtesy of Sarah Marshall’s oceanic insight…
— Telegraph (London)
Peace River Botanical & Sculpture Gardens opens in Punta Forda, Fla.
After more than a decade of planning, the new privately run Peace River Botanical…
— The Boston Globe
Cruise
No more Check-In Lines? New Royal Caribbean App lets you Walk Right Onto Ship
The app also will open cabin doors and let passengers order drinks, book shore excursions and make dinner reservations…
— USA Today
Leave the Cooking Behind. These Caribbean Cruises still have Space for the Holidays.
Some cruises still have space on December holiday sailings, thanks in part to the misimpression that hurricanes closed the region. Here are a few options that will still give you a holiday at sea, where someone else does the decorating and cooking. The gifts are still up to you…
— Miami Herald
Transportation
Airlines Consider Fighting Cameras With Cameras
After cellphone videos began to emerge of clashes between passengers and airline employees, some companies are trying to protect their workers…
— New York Times
Emirates places huge $15BN order for Boeing 'Dreamliners' as US Firm leaves Airbus in its Wake
Almost as soon as the Dubai Air Show opened, Boeing extended its 2017 lead in aircraft orders over arch-rival Airbus. Emirates ordered 40 Boeing 787 “Dreamliner” jets, with a list price of over $15bn (£11.4bn), with deliveries starting in 2022…
— The Independent
This cushy LA-to-San Francisco Bus lets you Sleep Overnight in a Real (narrow) Bed
Cabin, a new start-up begun by two Stanford alumni, began service in mid-July as a third way to bounce between the NorCal and SoCal cities. The self-proclaimed “moving hotel” is an alternative to the 75-minute flight or 612-kilometre (380-mile) drive…
— Vancouver Sun
Lodging
Need a Towel? Just Text for One at the Four Seasons
The Four Seasons Chat lets guests send and receive instant messages with hotel employees before, during and even after their stay…
— USA Today
Shop and then Plop in One of These Hotels
Hotels are offering deals on rooms for people seeking deals on gifts. Here are six ideas for overnight getaways in destinations that offer plenty of gift shopping in boutiques and outlets…
— The Boston Globe
Soneva Jani: Inside One of the Maldives' Most Luxurious Resorts
One of the newest and most expensive resorts in the country, it's made up of just 24 over-water villas -- plus one four-bedroom beach villa -- on the uninhabited island of Medhufaru, which sits within a large, private lagoon in the Noonu Atoll…
— CNN
Other and Odd
How to Make Holiday Travel Feel Luxurious—Even in Economy
Flying in economy can actually be almost elegant with little effort. From in-flight spa treatments to custom cocktails, here are seven ways to make flying feel a little bit luxurious—even if in seat 33D…
— Vogue
Rudeness Runs Rampant for Travelers. Is it Your Fault?
Who was rude first, the traveler — or the travel employee? And what, if anything, can be done to reverse the steady, downward spiral of manners in the travel industry?…
— USA Today
Today in History
The Holland Tunnel
New York City's Holland Tunnel opened on this day in 1927. The tunnel is a marvel of early 20th century engineering…
— Travel Research Online
Press Releases of Interest
Windstar Cruises President John Delaney to Join First San Juan Sailing of the Season in Show of Support
Windstar Cruises President John Delaney wants to fight that negative narrative after the recent storms by revealing, in person, that San Juan and the Caribbean are open for business. As a show of support, Delaney will be sailing on Windstar’s first cruise departing from San Juan this season on November 25…
— Travel Research Online
Record Holiday Season for American Cruise Lines!
American Cruise Lines announced today that it has had record sales for its 2017 holiday-themed cruises. All Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s cruises have experienced unprecedented demand on both the Historic South and Lower Mississippi River itineraries…
— Travel Research Online
Editorial Musings
Say goodbye to your GPS…maybe
by John Frenaye Monday November 13, 2017
A new British c ompany may be re-inventing the GPS which will could have an incredible impact on travel and business in general. What 3 Words has taken on the seemingly Herculean task of dividing the world into 3 meter squares. Huh? Read on!
Have you ever had your GPS lead you astray because of an outdated map or coordinates? How about a client not being able to find that quaint little restaurant you recommended that is situated in the alley on Ille Saint-Louis? Maybe a cruise passenger has not been able to find that fabulous guide you arranged because of the crowds when four ships are in the same port. What about a child that gets separated from his family at Walt Disney World?
Maybe your…
— Travel Research Online Read the rest of this article »
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Mike's Morning Missives
Meaningful Impressions!
Here we go, another circuitous journey through another business day. Up and down hills. Over and around obstacles. Sometimes with a full tank of gas. Other times, we will be riding on fumes. Oh, the fun of it all.
Will we do better than yesterday? Will be do worse? Will it be a "push?" Only you can answer these questions. Will your future be better than your past? I certainly hope…
— Travel Research Online Read the rest of this article »
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Publishers Corner
Empowering Your Clients
by Richard Earls Sunday November 12, 2017
Long ago, trave l agents held the keys to the kingdom. The general public knew very little about the logistics of travel. Anyone wanting an itinerary of any complexity went to a travel agency for assistance. Travel agents had access to “hidden” resources like the GDS systems and access to travel specials not available direct to the public. But there were urban legends of people who knew tricks. Rumors of cargo ship travel, package couriers, backpackers and mysterious student discounts floated about, making many feel as though everyone in the know was traveling better and more cheaply than they. There were “secrets” out there and travel agents weren’t talking because they wanted the public to book with them.
Things…
— 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

How to Sell the Islands of Tahiti
Thursday, November 16, 2017 at 2 pm EST/11 am PST
This webinar will introduce you to the islands of Tahiti.
Register Now ➠

Visit Japan in 2018!
Wednesday, November 15, 2017 at 2 pm EST/11 am PST
Demand to Japan is on the rise.
Register Now ➠

South Africa: A World in One Country
Tuesday, November 14, 2017 at 3 pm EST/12 pm PST
Join South African Airways and South African Tourism on a journey through our awe-inspiring country. We’ll discuss top-selling activities, including the vibrant city of Cape Town, big 5 safaris, world-class museums and restaurants and adrenaline-fueled adventures. We’ll also review tips and tools to help you effectively sell and market South Africa to your clients with confidence.
Register Now ➠
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