Destinations
Spring Break 2018: Sun, Sand and Deals in Mexico and the Caribbean
With air travel expected to be at an all-time high, a look at where we're flocking as a new season…
— New York Times
The 10 things You Have to Do in Vilnius
Vilnius is a city best known for its historical charm, particularly its Unesco-listed Old Town. Yet there are few European capitals modernizing quite so rapidly.…
— The Independent
Tours and Activities
Universal Studios parks get faster, more furious this summer
Fast & Furious is, of course, the name of a crazy-popular movie series. It also could describe the pace at which Universal’s theme parks in Florida and Hollywood are developing new attractions and expanding their…
— USA Today
In Spanish Basque Country, Sampling Cider and an Ancient Ritual
No one really tells you what to do when you first arrive at a sagardotegi, or traditional Basque cider house, especially if you don’t speak Basque. You’re simply given a glass, led to one of the long wooden tables in a vast…
— New York Times
Cruise
Royal Caribbean to Give Private Bahamas Island Massive Makeover
Royal Caribbean is investing $200 million to redo its private island in the Bahamas, CocoCay adding a 13-slide water park, wave pool, helium balloon, zip line and…
— Sun Sentinel
Oceania Cruises joins four other lines in offering free Wi-Fi
The Miami-based cruise line says it is introducing a new high-speed internet system called Wavenet throughout its six-ship…
— LA Times
Transportation
Air Travel Expected to Reach Spring Record High
Citing persistently low fares, unsurpassed levels of investment in products, increasing competition and unprecedented passenger access, Airlines for America (A4A) anticipates a record high volume of air passengers this…
— Transportation Today
The True Cost of Your Airport Stopover
The problem with affordable flights is that they often come with a downfall — lengthy and inconvenient stopovers. While you may be saving a few hundred dollars off your next flight, how much money will you be spending while you wait in…
— Escape
Lodging
Copenhagen's Best Budget Hotels That Won't Break the Bank
Popular as it is for weekend breaks, Copenhagen is also notoriously expensive as a destination. Choose your hotel wisely, however, and you don't have to break the…
— The Independent
Six Senses Yao Noi: A Thailand Resort With a Conscience
As Six Senses Yao Noi turns 10, find out how this top luxury resort on Thailand's Phang Nga Bay stays at the top of its…
— CNN
Other and Odd
The Toughest English Geography Quiz of All Time
Next week is English Tourism Week (17–25 March). Now you might be thinking; “Wait – English Tourism Week? Is that even a thing?”…
— Telegraph (London)
The Wise Words That Changed My Life
"I told her how I had never felt at home anywhere, and how disconnected I had always felt from the country of my…
— BBC
Today in History
Hugh Thompson, Jr. - An American Hero
Captain Hugh Thompson, Jr. was a United States Army helicopter pilot during the Vietnam War. On the morning of March 16th, 1968 he flew his helicopter over a small village in Vietnam the soldiers referred to as "Pinkville" but the locals knew as My…
— Travel Research Online
Agent Perspectives
Discover Icons of British Sport
by Paull Tickner
Friday March 16, 2018
When putting to gether the shopping list for a customized UK-bound family holiday or special interest tour, it will invariably include some of our many great castles, treasure-filled stately homes, beautiful gardens, majestic cathedrals and ancient pubs where the real ales are all served at the correct temperature!
However, as you begin to learn how your clients and their families spend their leisure time, a wide variety of sporting interest are sure to emerge. Read on and discover how I can help you to add their interests in golf, soccer, equestrianism, motor racing, rugby union and the 2018 Olimpick Games to the mix under discussion or become the starting point for a tour where their special interest is the…
— Travel Research Online
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Mike's Morning Missives
Make The Call!
 There are people out there I know you want to “catch up” with. People you want to talk to. People you still care about. People who you have lost touch with for some reason or another. What are you waiting for? Stop procrastinating and make the call.
Are you waiting for them to call you? They are waiting for you to call them. You probably have little memory of how this distance unfolded, but who cares? Call…
— Travel Research Online
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Soundings
Are Cruise Lines Our Partners?
by Susan Schaefer
Friday March 16, 2018
I've heard grum blings from a variety of travel agent sources over the last few months. The complaints vary: cruise lines poaching agency clients, marketing that encourages direct sales, cruise fares we can’t book, and lack of marketing support from our cruise line partners. I’ve touched on some of these topics in the past, but it warrants a revisit in light of the current concerns from travel…
— Travel Research Online
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Deck Plans
The Best Mississippi River Cruises 2018
Where can you f ind the best Mississippi River Cruises 2018? Well, you won’t need to whittle down the contenders too much. That’s because only two river cruise companies operate on the Mississippi River, American Cruise Lines and American Queen Steamboat Company.
Which company offers the best Mississippi River Cruises 2018? The answer depends on what’s important to you. If you’re only concern is price, then American Queen Steamboat Company will win with its lead-in rates as low as $1,999 per person. If spacious staterooms are your thing, then you’ll be hard-pressed to choose between American Queen and American Cruise Lines. Don’t know about either company? Here’s…
— 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
NEW ZEALAND 101 WITH GOWAY AND TOURISM NEW ZEALAND
Thursday, April 5, 2018 at 3 pm EDT/12 pm PDT
What would be the major reasons to visit New Zealand? This makes for a long list. One has to say that one reason is nature at her best offering breathtaking landscapes of stunning and diverse natural beauty which include majestic and dramatic fjords, spectacular glaciers, rugged mountains, vast plains and farmland, long coastlines, wonderful sandy beaches and active geothermal regions plus so much more. The country also has history, culture and, not least, winelands producing excellent wines.
Register Now ➠
An introduction to Australis Expedition Cruises and Patagonia
Wednesday, March 28, 2018 at 1 pm EDT/10 am PDT
Explore the “end of the world” during the first session webinar series. Navigating the Patagonian waterways for over 25 years, Australis offers passengers an exclusive look into remote areas of the region, that include visits to glaciers, sub-polar forests and a view of amazing marine and terrestrial wildlife.
Register Now ➠
Better Booking 101 with America’s #1 Airline Consolidator
Tuesday, March 27, 2018 at 1 pm EDT/10 am PDT
Are you ready to turn ticketing into your next paycheck? Then you won’t want to miss this webinar!
Register Now ➠
Getting to Know The SCENIC Group – Scenic Luxury Cruises
Thursday, March 22, 2018 at 3 pm EDT/12 pm PDT
The SCENIC Group is one of the World’s Leading Travel Companies. Since 1986, we’ve grown from a regional tour operator in Australia, to now taking guests to many of the world’s most fascinating destinations on all seven continents!
Register Now ➠
The Best of Calgary and Alberta with Canada à la Carte
Tuesday, March 20, 2018 at 1 pm EDT/10 am PDT
The province of Alberta offers travelers the perfect blend of outdoor adventures and indoor arts and culture, and the vibrant city of Calgary is ideally positioned for your clients to enjoy both—in the same day.
Register Now ➠
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