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Thursday February 15, 2018

Destinations

36 Hours in Bangkok
From upstart creative spaces and obscure bars to neighborhoods where a surprising urban tranquillity reigns, Bangkok remains ripe for discovery…

Is Eastern Crete Greece's Best-Kept Secret?
This is authentic Greece – Greece as it used to be. That’s the secret of eastern Crete: it could be the Aegean 40 years ago…

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Tours and Activities

I, Spy: New Manhattan Attraction Offers Espionage History
SPYSCAPE: a new attraction opening Friday in Manhattan, where visitors can get a glimpse of spying’s past and present, from the code-breaking machines of World War II to the most famous names in espionage and their deeds of derring-do or in some cases, dastardly deception…

Indy Children's Museum to Open Massive New Kid-Focused Sports Attraction
The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis is upping its game with a new sports-related attraction aimed at getting kids — and adults — moving…

5 Free (or Really Cheap) Things to Do in Paso Robles
As the number of boutique hotels, hip restaurants and upscale wineries grows in Paso Robles, so does the average cost of a wine tasting weekend there. Fortunately, there are still a host of diversions that are free (or seriously cheap) to make the visit a little more reasonable…

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Cruise

Customers Furious After Cruise Line Drastically Changes Itinerary
Marella, the cruise operation of TUI, has told hundreds of holidaymakers booked on an April voyage from Jamaica to Mallorca that they will not visit Cuba, the Bahamas or Portugal…

Ballet-Themed Cruises Come to Silversea Line
Cruising represents an excellent opportunity to see the world in an enriching way, and ultra-luxury line Silversea certainly maintains that philosophy…

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Transportation

Delta Suspends Employee Who Cursed At Customer
A weary Delta staffer at Portland International Airport who cursed at a passenger trying to collect his luggage has been suspended, KGW is reporting…

Jet Engine Falls Apart Over the Pacific as Passengers Watch
Above the clouds and the Pacific Ocean on Tuesday (Feb. 13), a starboard engine fell apart, and 373 people held together…

14 Things You Didn't Know About Jet2, the Budget Airline of the North
This week Jet2, the firm that once proudly called itself the “low-cost airline of the North”, celebrated its 15th birthday. Here are a few things you probably didn’t know about the UK’s fourth largest carrier…

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Lodging

Marriott to Open 4,000-Room Resort in Las Vegas
Las Vegas' Fontainebleau casino project, which stalled in 2009, is getting another chance. Marriott International, the largest hotel company in the world, plans to turn it into a 4,000-room resort and casino called The Drew Las Vegas…

New England Hotels Bring Home the Gold
Five Boston hotels stand among the best of the best in the country, according to an annual ranking by U.S. News…

The 14 Best New Caribbean Hotels and Resorts
Despite a rough hurricane season, the Caribbean is humming with new hotels and resorts. Here are 14 of the best…

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Other and Odd

How to Get by in a Country Where You Don't Know the Language
Not knowing the local language is no reason not to travel. Here are some tips to get by from someone who does it all the time…

How to Stay Safe in Johannesburg
By being aware of, rather than paranoid about, Joburg’s crime, there’s every chance you’ll enjoy a trouble-free holiday – and probably even have some fun too…

Today in History

Remember the Maine!
William Randolph Hearst, the notorious newspaper baron, needed a war. His paper, the New York Journal, was in a pitched circulation battle with other newspapers…

Press Releases of Interest

Three Year Anniversary of Group Boot Camp Celebrated with a 30 Day 'Facebook Live' Marathon
Travel industry veteran and business influencer Stuart Cohen is broadcasting 30 Days/30 Ways to Reboot Group Sales via Facebook LIVE. These daily business tips, posted publicly in his travel agent Facebook group, are Cohen’s newest initiative to celebrate the three-year anniversary of Group Boot Camp…

American Cruise Lines Announces New Group Sales Incentives and Benefits
American Cruise Lines, the largest cruise line in the U.S., announced today that it has enhanced its Group Sales service and benefits for Travel Agents and Tour Operators…

Mike's Morning Missives

Stop Trying to Sell

Today’s message may sound a bit strange coming from a sales training professional. It will come as no surprise however when I deliver today’s “wisdom” via an example from down under.

“No Worries,” is an Australian phrase that defines a philosophy worth investigating.

Unlike Americans, Aussies don’t appear to be “selling” all the time. They are more laid back. They seem to allow relationships to develop based on simple communication. They appear to be comfortable in their own skin. I find them to be refreshing…and fun to be…

  — Travel Research Online
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TRO SMITH

Going for the Gold – Winning Social Marketing

Are you loving the bird’s eye view of the Olympic action?  I’m loving the determination and focus of these athletes.  Just making it to the Olympics is a feat unto itself, but imagine the dedication it takes to win a medal.

We all know about the 10,000 hours theory--that it takes 10,000 hours to become an expert in an industry or sport.  I’ve read that Biathlon athletes start training at 8 or 9 years old.  Mogul skiers hit their peak at 23 to 26 years old.   That’s the time frame these athletes have to accomplish their 10,000 and get onto the Olympic…

  — Travel Research Online
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Spotlight

Traipsing through Taiwan with Super Value Tours
by Simone Hasskew
Thursday February 153, 2018

Once known as Formosa, the island of Taiwan is one of the most sought out travel destinations in East Asia. With so much culture and history to the area, it is sure to provide an experience unlike any other for all types of travelers. Thanks to Super Value Tours, the supplier sponsor of this article, you’ll get to see Taiwan in the best way possible.

  — Travel Research Online
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Travel Agent Diaries

Mission: Cancellation

Travel Agent Matthew Exline shares one of his client stories for this week’s Travel Agent Diaries entry.

I have a story I would like to share about how I was able to save a client’s trip, and ensure that he reached his destination safely and on time. The client, whom I will call “Joe,” was traveling to an extremely remote and dangerous area of a Southeast Asian country on a humanitarian mission.

The stakes were high due to major security concerns, and it was extremely important for Joe to arrive at his destination on time in order to carry out his mission. I was responsible for arranging his complex air itinerary from Florida to a tiny obscure airport in this remote area.

  — Travel Research Online
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Luxury Travel Tips

Beware The Red Flag
by Mike Marchev
Thursday February 15, 2018

For years I have gone on record to remind my readers that a career in sales can be easy, fun and profitable. I say “easy” because all you’re doing is sharing what you already know, and offering educated opinions to interested prospects. I say “fun” because making money is fun. Helping people is fun. Being your own boss is fun. Making people happy is fun. I say “profitable” because getting paid what you’re worth spending time with the right people for the right reason insures that you will remain in business for some time to come.

Before I applaud your “excellence” developed over years of study, learning, research, listening, watching reading, homework, persistence, creativity, tenacity, reorganization, membership, attendance and hard-earned experiences, I want to remind you…

  — 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!


Upcoming Training Opportunities


Bringing Australia & New Zealand to Life – Learn the AAT Kings Difference

Bringing Australia & New Zealand to Life – Learn the AAT Kings Difference

Wednesday, February 21, 2018 at 1 pm EST/10 am PST

At AAT Kings we strive to represent the very best that Australia and New Zealand have to offer so join us to learn the AAT Kings difference! Since 1912 we have been helping people from all over the world discover and explore Australia and New Zealand from top to bottom. We offer a broad range travel styles including Small Groups, Guided Tours, Short Breaks and Day Tours.

Register Now ➠







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