Destinations
New Country Rankings Aim to Help Travelers Choose Safe Destinations
The State Department has classified every country from Afghanistan to Zimbabwe on a scale of 1 to 4. What does that mean for you? A primer…
— New York Times
Springfield Springs Forward
This often overlooked, family-friendly destination, a mere 90 miles or so from Boston, has a lot happening…
— The Boston Globe
Hot Springs, Horse Country, and Historic Hotels: Virginia's Countryside Has It All
In the market for some serious R&R? Add Hot Springs, Virginia, to the top of your winter destination hit list. You’ll find an intimate setting, a quiet elegance, and no shortage of history, health, and the most heavenly wallpaper…
— Vogue
Tours and Activities
A Celebration of Harry Potter 2018 Adds New Magic at Universal Orlando
Once a year, Universal Orlando takes an even deeper dive into the world of wizards, wands, and Weasleys by presenting A Celebration of Harry Potter…
— USA Today
Going to Great Lengths: Cycling Britain from Land's End to John O’Groats
Marking retirement with an epic, three-week, 983-mile bike ride through England, Wales and Scotland…
— The Washington Post
Looking for Hawaiian Rainbows? Start with a Tour of the Big Island's Waterfalls
The Hilo side gets the rain — and it also means the Hilo side gets something pretty special in Hawaii: waterfalls…
— Seattle Times
Cruise
Carnival Cruise Line to Resume Trips Out of Norfolk, Va.
The Miami-based line on Wednesday said the 2,758-passenger Carnival Triumph would make Norfolk its home during May of 2019 as well as later in the year…
— USA Today
Cleveland is a Top Port for New Victory Cruise Lines' Great Lakes Sailings
Bruce Nierenberg, president and CEO of Miami-based Victory Cruise Lines, says the port of Cleveland, and Great Lakes cruising in general, are poised to grow big over the next several years…
— Cleveland.com
Transportation
Emirates Throws Airbus A380 a Lifeline with $16 Billion Deal
The deal is a breakthrough for Airbus, whose double-decked A380 faced an uncertain future amid weak sales…
— USA Today
Everything Must Go: Air Berlin Auctions Off Plane Seats, Blankets and Branded Chocolates to Raise Cash
The airline, which was the second biggest in Germany after Lufthansa, filed for insolvency in August last year following years of financial loss…
— Telegraph (London)
After Passengers Delayed, TSA Aims to Improve at Atlanta Airport
After passengers waited well over an hour to get through security at Atlanta's airport as it struggled to recover from ice and snow, federal officials tried to avoid a repeat of lines that snaked through the airport's atrium and past its food court…
— onlineathens.com
Lodging
10 of the Best Luxury Hotels in New York
New York may be the city that never sleeps but when you’re paying top dollar for a hotel room, you’re going to want some quality shut-eye. Fortunately, the luxury hotels in Manhattan are amongst some of the best in the world…
— The Independent
Checking in: Diplomat's $100-Million Update Adds Luxe to Leisure
After a three-year makeover to 90 per cent of the resort, the landmark establishment is younger, prettier and attracting a new fan base…
— Vancouver Sun
Asia's Most Exciting 2018 Hotel Openings
We've rounded up 22 of the most anticipated newcomers of 2018.
These beauties provide new ways to experience a few of our favorite destinations, from a remote beach resort in Okinawa to glamping in Cambodia, a heritage project in Hong Kong and a relaxing wellness getaway in jam-packed Jakarta…
— CNN
Other and Odd
Got Unused Vacation Days? National 'Plan for Vacation Day' is Jan. 30
Destinations, tourism agencies and others in the travel industry are expected to offer promotions in conjunction with the effort. It will be promoted on social media with a #PlanForVacation hashtag…
— Chicago Tribune
Medicines You Should Think Twice About Before Taking On A Plane
According to pharmacist Nial Wheate in an article for The Conversation, taking certain medications when flying could be putting your health at risk…
— The Independent
Today in History
Edgar Allan Poe is Born
Edgar Allen Poe was born on January 19, 1809 in Boston, Massachusetts as the son of theatrical…
— Travel Research Online
Mike's Morning Missives
Follow Up: The Missing Ingredient
 Question: Mike, are you implying that the simple practice of “follow up” is a skill?
Answer: Yes I am.
Question: Are you also implying that professionals in the travel industry do not know the importance of, nor practice on a regular basis, the simple task of a follow…
— Travel Research Online
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Soundings
Cruise Ship Inspection Freak Out
by Susan Schaefer
Friday January 19, 2018
The newest dog  bone that the media has latched onto are the recent unsatisfactory sanitary inspections of three Carnival cruise ships. If you sell cruises, you will likely have a client bring up this topic sooner or later. With my clients, ironically it’s the non Carnival clients that are sharing concerns about the inspection results. My Carnival clients seem to be oblivious, even though I know they are on top of the news. Maybe they just don’t care; maybe because their upcoming bookings aren’t on any of the ships being reported in the media.
How do the inspections…
— Travel Research Online
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Cartoons
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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