Destinations
Eight Unexpectedly Affordable Vacations to Take in 2018
Thanks to expanding air routes, tour deals and favorable exchange rates, bucket-list experiences are more affordable than ever — if you know where to look. Here’s where to head for the best value on a newly affordable vacation in 2018, before everyone else gets there…
— USA Today
The 'Real-Life' Ebbing, Missouri – And Five More Fictional Places You Can Visit
With a population of less than 3,000, Sylva is where director Martin McDonagh shot much of his Oscar-nominated film, but Sylva isn’t the first place to latch onto a fictional film or TV location to attract tourists. Here are five more fictional locations you can visit…
— Telegraph (London)
Exploring Goa, India's Beachy Bohemian Paradise
Over the last two decades, dual-personality Goa has earned a following among tourists for its all-night parties in the north and its calm disposition in the south (most style their holiday based on latitude)…
— Vogue
Tours and Activities
Legoland New York to be the Next Lego Park Assembled
Located about two hours north of New York City, the $350-million project represents the first major theme park to be built in the northeast USA in a long time…
— USA Today
Krewe of Confetti Kids: Mardi Gras Fun for Children, Too
The weeks-long celebration leading up to Fat Tuesday is often perceived as an adults-only holiday. But elsewhere, children and families are as much a part of the revelry as anyone — many say they’re the heart and soul of the holiday…
— Vancouver Sun
Cruise
A Second Carnival Cruise Line Ship Begins Year-Round Sailings From Tampa
Carnival's 2,124-passenger Carnival Miracle joined the line's 2,052-passenger Carnival Paradise in sailing year-round out of Tampa…
— USA Today
9 Cruise Booking Tips to Help You Get the Best Deal
Looking to take to the high seas, or journey along the rivers of the world this year? Escape spoke to the cruise line experts to get the inside word on all you need to know and what you need to look for when booking a cruise in 2018…
— Escape
Transportation
January Route Roundup: Where Airlines are Adding (or Cutting) Service
Airlines constantly tweak their schedules, trying to find profitable new routes or pulling the plug on ones that have underperformed. Here's a look at some of the most interesting…
— USA Today
Airlines Experimenting with Kid-Free Zones on Planes
Most airlines don’t have specific, written rules about an infant or child policy in first class. However some airlines are experimenting with unique ways to make flying with children better — for everybody in the plane…
— Fox Travel News
5 Best Airports to Arrive Early For
If you’re on a long-haul flight, check out connecting airports—you may have a choice– to see what they offer for passengers in transit. From building design to customer service, the following airports offer passengers a sense of calm and ease, and fun…
— Vancouver Sun
Lodging
In a Swiss Ski Town, Private Chalets Have Become the Place to Stay
Wengen, a popular winter sports destination, has seen visitors turning toward attractively priced rental properties; hotels are working to stay competitive…
— New York Times
Marijuana-Friendly ‘Bud ’n’ Breakfasts’ Sprouting Up Around California
Step one when planning a cannabis-centric weekend away: Locate a pot-friendly place to stay. Here are six unique rentals for any budget, from an Emerald Triangle estate to a gypsy camping wagon handcrafted by a Burning Man artist…
— San Francisco Chronicle
10 of the Best Hotels in Copenhagen
Copenhagen is a city that delivers style in spades – effortlessly cool, with slick design everywhere you look. The increase in visitors has prompted a surge in new hotels, but Copenhagen can still be an expensive city, and choosing the right hotel is vital…
— The Independent
Other and Odd
Rick Steves Headed to Chicago Area to Talk Travel — and Politics
Rick Steves will be in Elmhurst and Rosemont in early February to talk about travel and the latest installment of his new book, "Travel as a Political Act"…
— Chicago Tribune
Travellers Warned after Barefoot Paradise Beach Walk earns Couple Parasitic Foot Infection
Travellers are being warned of the risks of walking barefoot on a beach “somewhere tropical” after a Canadian couple contracted a hookworm infection on holiday in the Dominican Republic…
— Telegraph (London)
Today in History
King George III Dies
George III was the third British monarch of the House of Hanover, all of whom were of German, not British descent…
— Travel Research Online
Editorial Musings
Is 2018 the new 1995?
by John Frenaye
Monday January 29, 2018
It was in 1995  when Delta sent out the notice. No longer would they be paying 10% commission on airline tickets; they were capping the commission at $50. Do the math. Whenever you issued a Delta ticket valued at more than $500, you were losing money. As predicted, the other airlines followed suit. And the caps were followed by cuts. And the cuts were followed by elimination. Remember that history as we navigate 2018 and the news that Marriott has decided to reduce commissions on group bookings. We can learn much from the past.
In 1995, the bell was tolling for the travel agents. Pundits all proclaimed the industry all but dead—especially when you consider the meteoric rise of online agencies. Microsoft launched Expedia in…
— Travel Research Online
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Mike's Morning Missives
To Tell You the Truth
 Don’t you just LOVE that phrase? “To tell you the truth…” This phrase is on the same page as “I’ll be honest with you.” Here is my suggestion: Let’s be honest with each other for a change. Let’s see how it feels to be honest. You go first.
To tell you the truth, this leads me to today’s message. Keeping this among us, there are times when I just feel like throwing in the towel. Things just stop working the way I want them to work and the harder I try, the more I find myself questioning my tactics, education, experiences, up-bringing, choice of religion, personality and choice of after shave. Why bother? I remember once blaming it on my haircut. (It doesn’t get any worse…
— Travel Research Online
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Publishers Corner
Reviewing your points of contact
by Richard Earls
Sunday January 28, 2018
Loosely defined , our points of contact are those points at which a client can form an impression of our travel practice. Points of contact range from our logo and business cards, to our presentation formats, our manner of dress and even the places where we meet with clients. The sum total of our points of contact add up to form our professional image. The more professional our image, the more confidence clients have when it comes time to turn thousands of hard earned dollars over to us for their vacation. Needless to say, therefore, our points of contact must be kept in top condition. The reality, however, is we often create our points of contact independently of our mission statement and any guiding touch point…
— 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
Travel Agency Transformation
Tuesday, February 13, 2018 at 1 pm EST/10 am PST
If you answer “YES” to any of these questions, YOU need to attend!
Register Now ➠
MEET THE NEW SCENIC ECLIPSE
Wednesday, February 7, 2018 at 3 pm EST/12 pm PST
The World’s First Discovery Yacht, the ultra-luxury mega yacht, Scenic Eclipse, will make her debut on August 31st in Athens, Greece. Inspired by the sleek contours of a sailing yacht and designed to easily glide through ocean currents, Scenic Eclipse will utilize state-of-the-art technology while featuring luxury suites, world-class dining, butler service and Spa Sanctuary that is over 5,000 square feet.
Register Now ➠
"Best of Both Worlds" with Down Under Answers
Tuesday, February 6, 2018 at 1 pm EST/10 am PST
Do you want the “Best of Both Worlds”? Then Victoria and the Northern Territory in Australia is for you.
Register Now ➠
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