Destinations
Family Friendly Ski Destinations for a Fun-Filled Trip
Whether you’re on a budget or ready to splurge, traveling with intrepid skiers or bringing a crew of adrenaline seekers, there’s a ski resort for you. And if goggles and gondolas just aren’t your thing, these destinations also offer plenty of activities off the slopes…
— USA Today
Olympic Thrills, And A Few Chills, On A Summer Puget Sound Adventure
Olympia, on the southern end of Puget Sound, is not known as a tourist destination. But Washington’s state capital has its charms, including an interesting downtown culinary scene (excellent microbreweries and gelato) and a historic capitol with an incredible view of the Olympic mountains…
— The Huffington Post
Why Switzerland Should Be Your Next Wine Destination
As a destination, Switzerland is often overshadowed by its neighbors. It’s surprising when you consider its French- and Italian-inflected food, the natural beauty of its lakes and mountains, the friendly people, and the enviable quality of life…
— Vogue
Tours and Activities
Disneyland's California Screamin' coaster closes Jan. 8
If you’re dreamin’ of a ride on Disneyland's California Screamin’ coaster, time is running out. The popular ride in California Adventure will close as Paradise Pier is turned into Pixar Pier…
— USA Today
In (and around) Fredericksburg, Va., Walking the Steps of a Slave’s Trail to Freedom
It’s two trails, really: one a walking tour in Fredericksburg, detailing the life of former slave John Washington; the other a driving tour of Stafford County, recounting the migration of approximately 10,000 self-emancipated slaves from central and eastern Virginia during a four-month period in 1862…
— The Washington Post
If you Can Take the Heat, a Havasu Falls Hike is Worth the Haul
Hiking in the Grand Canyon in late June may not sound very appealing to some, But your destination — the blue-green waters of Arizona’s Havasu Falls and the captivating area that skirts one of the seven wonders of the world, makes the 10-mile trek through Havasu Canyon definitely worth getting there…
— The Boston Globe
Cruise
Chef Roy Yamaguchi Just Designed a Restaurant on a Cruise Ship, and His Design Goes Way Beyond Cuisine
Roy Yamaguchi is no stranger to good food. He says he’s long dreamed of opening a restaurant on the sea, and now he has: the Asian Market Kitchen on MSC Seaside, set to sail from Miami this December…
— The Huffington Post
Regent teases Luxury Seven Seas Splendor
Hot on the 2016 debut of its most luxurious ship to-date, Regent Seven Seas Cruises just announced the name of the sister-ship to its award-winning Seven Seas Explorer…
— Vancouver Sun
Transportation
Plane Leasing Company Forced to Start Own Airline because Nobody Wants its A380s
According to Mark Lapidus, Amedeo’s chief executive, the new airline’s business model will see it offer seats to existing carriers, or to potential non-traditional arrivals such as Airbnb. Passengers would buy their ticket through another company, while Amedeo would operate the flight, using its own cabin crew but tailoring the service to suit the client…
— Telegraph (London)
Is This The Answer To Shrinking Airline Seat Sizes?
With courts demanding increased space and passengers unwilling to pay more, what options does that leave for the airlines? Perhaps it’s time for airlines to revisit and completely rethink their seat layouts…
— The Huffington Post
Airline installs Body Cameras on Ground Crews in UK and France
Guernsey airline Aurigny has installed the cameras by company Edesix Ltd in uniforms worn by crew, who man flights to the U.K. and France. Dave Cox, the ground operations manager for Aurigny, spoke with The New York Times about the company's decision…
— Fox Travel News
Lodging
Home-Grown Hotels: the Word's Most Special Places to Stay
Staying in one of these eye-catching, instantly Instagrammable properties is imbued with something extra: the soul and character of the destination in which it stands…
— Telegraph (London)
A Glam Hollywood Hotel, in an Unlikely Florida town
It’s a traditional bit of Americana — no high-rises allowed and nary a Missoni microkini in sight. But the casual, family-friendly beach is also home to a glamorous jewel of a boutique hotel with Hollywood lineage. Royal Blues Hotel was opened three years ago by Hollywood producer Edward Walson…
— The Boston Globe
Airbnb lists Converted Cold War Nuclear Missile Silo as Rental, Report says
The Subterra Castle was previously the home of a nuclear warhead during the early-to-mid 1960’s, The Topeka Capital-Journal reported. After it was left abandoned for decades, Ed and Dianna Peden reportedly bought the property in 1994 and reconstructed it into “an underground mansion.”…
— Fox Travel News
Other and Odd
Bali Volcano: What Does Mount Agung's Likely Erruption Mean For Travellers?
The volcanic alert level on the Indonesian island of Bali has been raised to the maximum, level four, as Mount Agung appears to be on the point of a major eruption. With the airport closed, tens of thousands of tourists are stranded on the island…
— The Independent
Smoking Lounges? Most of World’s Busiest Airports Still have Them, CDC says
One piece of advice for stressful travel days is to slow down and take a deep breath. But in many of the world’s busiest airports that deep breath may come with a dose of second-hand cigarette smoke, which the Surgeon General has declared a health risk at any level of exposure…
— USA Today
Today in History
Pope Urban II Launches First Crusade
On this day in 1095, Catholic Pope Urban II launched the First Crusade to reclaim the Holy Lands, and in particular Jerusalem, for the Christians…
— Travel Research Online
Editorial Musings
5 surprising trends in the travel industry
by John Frenaye
Monday November 27, 2017
Every year, I l ook forward to Travel Weekly’s Travel Industry Survey. It is a great snapshot into the industry, our competitors, and best practices to help me figure out how to best navigate this changing industry. Recently they released the report of 2017 and I was surprised. Approaching 20 years in the industry, I run the risk of sounding like one of those old and crusty travel agents of yore; but I’ll bite the bullet and let you in on the five trends that surprised me.
River Cruising. Back in the late 90s it was not even on our radar screen. You may have been able to find a barge cruise on the Seine but we knew very little of them. Today (disclaimer, with my…
— Travel Research Online
Read the rest of this article »
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Mike's Morning Missives
Get Good At What You Do
 A few of you have hats like the one pictured below. The letters L-I-G stand for Life Is Good. www.lifeisgood.com
While strolling down Delray Beach's Atlantic Avenue one Saturday evening with my wife, sister and niece, we popped into a store that carried the LIG line and as a book junkie knows no boundaries, I exited with a simple book of reminders that Life Is Good for those who want to see it that…
— Travel Research Online
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Publishers Corner
Creativity and Your Travel Practice
by Richard Earls
Sunday November 26, 2017
I spend much o f my time speaking to the importance of positioning and differentiation – setting your travel practice apart from the crowd. From the emails and comments I receive, however, it’s clear it’s not always easy to really BE different. Where do the ideas arise that will energize your travel practice in such a way that travelers will choose you over another agency or booking on their own?
The most important thing is to lead with is your personality. You are the one thing that is truly unique about your travel practice. You are the one thing not duplicated online, in your office, or at another agency. You are the human element with which people want to engage. Learn to infuse your creative thinking with your own…
— 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
Urban Alberta: Vacations in Calgary and Edmonton
Thursday, December 7, 2017 at 1 pm EST/10 am PST
Alberta offers something for every traveler. Whether your clients seek outdoor adventures or arts and cultural opportunities, the province’s top urban destinations are sure to please at any time of the year.
Register Now ➠
Let Your Clients Discover the Beauty of China on Xiamen Airlines
Thursday, November 30, 2017 at 1 pm EST/10 am PST
Refreshing Fujian, beautiful Xiamen – China’s unique city has been recently voted the prettiest and greenest in the whole country! Located on the south coast in the Fujian Province, Xiamen offers a fine mix of city, cultural, and beach attractions. With origins dating back 5,000 years, trade has been the lifeblood of Xiamen, and the city has grown on the commerce from merchants, both Chinese and European, who used Xiamen as their ‘Gateway to China’.
Register Now ➠
Hotels.com TAI – The Obvious Choice for booking your Clients’ Perfect Stay
Wednesday, November 29, 2017 at 3 pm EST/12 pm PST
Choose from over 300,000 Properties
Register Now ➠
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