Destinations
36 Hours in Kigali, Rwanda
More than 20 years after the horrific genocide in Rwanda, Kigali is emerging as a proud city, known for its progressive start-ups, energetic art scene and great dining and coffee…
— New York Times
The 10 Best Places to Avoid Noise, Light and Air Pollution
Want to get away from it all? These are the best places to find clear skies, bright stars, fresh air and pure nature…
— USA Today
Mayaguana, a World Away and Worth the Trip
Consider the 110-square-mile Bahamian island of Mayaguana. It’s so off-the-grid that you won’t find it in any guidebook…
— The Boston Globe
Tours and Activities
New Grand Canyon Zip-Lines Soar 1,000 Feet At West Rim
If you've ever imagined flying over a canyon without benefit of helicopter or aircraft, imagine no more. Riders soar nearly 1,000 feet above the canyon floor, attaining speeds of 50 mph and more…
— USA Today
LA is Opening A Museum of Selfies – Here's What You'll Find Inside
The Museum of Selfies - a new museum dedicated to the “science, art and culture of self representation” - is opening its camera-ready doors in California next month…
— Telegraph (London)
Skiing Is In Our DNA: Laurentian Museum Honours Snow Sports Pioneers
Located in a region that spawned many firsts in North American skiing, the Laurentian Ski Museum gathers vintage memorabilia and artifacts…
— Vancouver Sun
Cruise
Shaquille O’Neal Will Be An Officer — Again. But This Time He’s Moved Up In Rank
On Thursday, Carnival Cruise Line’s president, Christine Duffy, announced O’Neal would become the company’s “chief fun officer"…
— Miami Herald
Star Princess Ready for Vancouver sailings
New changes for this year include a revamped casino, updated equipment and refurbished treatment rooms in the Lotus Spa…
— Vancouver Sun
Transportation
A Plea for Transparency on Airline Fees
Shopping for airline seats has become one of the most challenging buying experiences a consumer faces, a challenge ironically made more — not less — difficult as technology improves…
— USA Today
Ryanair No Longer Europe's Biggest Airline
Ryanair is no longer Europe's largest airline after a rostering issue in 2017 saw thousands of flights cancelled and a number of routes suspended throughout the continent…
— The Independent
FAA Investigates Latest Close Call at San Francisco Airport
An Aeromexico passenger jet was ordered to abort a landing at San Francisco International Airport as it descended toward a runway occupied by another commercial jet, the third close call at the busy airport in six months…
— Fox Travel News
Lodging
A Look at the New Canopy by Hilton Washington, D.C., The Wharf
Hilton officials call it a “lifestyle” hotel, one focused on locally-inspired design, food and beverage offerings, environmentally friendly features, and large multi-use public spaces…
— USA Today
A Ski Hotel With Awe-Inspiring Views In The French Alps: Le Strato, Courchevel
Expect everything from mammoth private chalets with heated pools and mountain views, to historic hotels abound with local Savoyard charm (think open fireplaces, wooden interiors and furry rugs)…
— Forbes
Carmel has a Name for its Boutique Downtown Hotel
The city has a name for the boutique hotel its partnering to build at City Center — Hotel Carmichael, a play on Carmel and Michael Feinstein. Much of the 106,347-square-foot hotel will be open to the public…
— Indy Star
Other and Odd
Safer, Fairer, Better: 10 Ways Travel Needs to Change in 2018
Our mission is to inspire you to discover new destinations, excellent value, the best places to stay and the best companies to book with. But we want also to make travel safer, fairer, and better – and our campaign starts here…
— Telegraph (London)
Travel Experts Explain Why People Return To The Same Places Again And Again
Travel enthusiasts typically want to visit as many different parts of the world as they can. Some destinations, though, are just so special that even the most adventurous travelers want to return again and again…
— The Huffington Post
Today in History
The First Woman Elected to the US Senate
On January 12, 1932, the state of Arkansas elected Hattie Ophelia Wyatt Caraway in a special election to the United States Senate, making her the first woman elected to the Senate…
— Travel Research Online
Agent Perspectives
Inspirational Tours Beyond The Manchester Gateway
by Paull Tickner
Friday January 12, 2018
With Virgin Atl antic offering Manchester-bound non-stop flights from Atlanta, Boston, New York and San Francisco, take a closer look at some of the inspiring new tours that are available for independent travellers and customised groups beyond the Manchester Gateway
In the past, Manchester Airport has been seen largely as the gateway to the north of England, but as the map shows, it’s also the starting point for a new generation of imaginative tours to Scotland, the Heart of England, North Wales and…
— Travel Research Online
Read the rest of this article »
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Mike's Morning Missives
Three “Huge” Suggestions
 You don’t have to agree with me today, but I am about to share some advice that could position you as a true professional in the eyes of prospects and clients.
Here are three points I would like to share. I feel each one is in your best…
— Travel Research Online
Read the rest of this article »
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Soundings
Are Shore Excursions Dangerous?
by Susan Schaefer
Friday January 12, 2018
In light of rec ent events, clients and travel advisors are asking this question. If you missed the news stories over the holidays, there have been two recent accidents involving Royal Caribbean and Celebrity cruise passengers. The first was just days before Christmas when a bus crashed, killing 11 cruise passengers and a tour guide. The excursion to a nearby Mayan ruin site was contracted through the cruise lines. The second incident was last week with a SCUBA diving boat sinking. Again, this was a cruise line contract excursion. Both incidents occurred in Mexico...
— 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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Cartoons
Upcoming Training Opportunities
BECOME AN EXPERT IN AWESOME
Wednesday, January 17, 2018 at 1 pm EST/10 am PST
With new attractions, new restaurants, a new hotel, and the opening of a whole new water theme park, your clients may not be aware of all we have to do – or that they’ll need multiple days to see and do it all. Be sure to register to take our webinar course so you can stay an expert on everything going on at Universal Orlando Resort™.
Register Now ➠
Everything Australia with Goway
Tuesday, January 16, 2018 at 1 pm EST/10 am PST
Goway is your one stop shop for all your travel requirements to Australia. From accommodation to car rental, escorted tours to fully independent travel, we offer it all. Join Meghan Boyd, the Product Manager of the South Pacific Division on this educational webinar designed specifically to help you sell Australia.
Register Now ➠
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