Destinations
36 Hours in Memphis
A new bike share program, museums, music and, yes, barbecue await visitors. Of special interest this spring: the commemoration of the 50th anniversary of the assassination of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King…
— New York Times
Rottnest Island, Western Australia's Stunning Offshore Paradise
It's just a quick 25-minute ferry ride from the Western Australia port town of Fremantle or 90 minutes from Perth's Barrack Street…
— CNN
Tours and Activities
Going on a Cruise? Don't Just Sign Up for The First Shore Excursion That's Offered
Even in this world where everything in organized travel seems to be handed to you on a silver platter — especially on river cruise tours — you need to know what you want to see and…
— Miami Herald
'Black Panther' Fans Can Find Glimpses of Wakanda in Africa
Want to go to Wakanda? The blockbuster success of "Black Panther" has created a new, compelling vision of Africa as a continent of smart, technologically savvy people with cool clothes living in a futuristic city amid stunning…
— Chicago Tribune
Cruise
Cunard's New York Fashion Week Cruise in September
This cruise, presented in collaboration with the New Yorker magazine, offers an opportunity to join cartoonists as they host lectures and workshops aboard five eastbound transatlantic…
— LA Times
New Luxury Cruise Ship One Step Closer to Launching
Luxury cruise line Seabourn's newest ship, Seabourn Ovation, has completed its final round of sea trials in the Mediterranean, off the coast of Italy -- a milestone that brings it one step closer to its debut in late April…
— CruiseCritic.com
Transportation
French Air-Traffic Strikes Leave Tens of Thousands of Travellers Stranded
Tens of thousands of travellers have had their travel plans wrecked by the first French air-traffic control strike of the…
— The Independent
Airline Bans Fat People From Flying Business Class
Thai Airways have recently banned overweight passengers from flying business class on their new Boeing 787-9…
— Vancouver Sun
Lodging
Jamaica's Hip Hotels: Authentic Options Beyond the All-Inclusives
The majority of vacationers flying into Jamaica flock to the island’s all-inclusive resorts along the northern coast. These are famous for supplying all the bells and whistles of a beach holiday.…
— USA Today
Walt Disney World Starts Charging for Overnight Parking at its Hotel Resorts
Starting today, visitors who book a new reservation at any of the 30-odd Disney Resort hotels in Orlando must pay for overnight self-parking. Previously, parking at the properties was…
— The Washington Post
Other and Odd
The Five Ways You Are Ruining Your Children's Holiday
Happy family holidays are all alike; every unhappy family trip fails in its own particular way, as Tolstoy nearly…
— Telegraph (London)
The World's Most Beautiful Libraries
While we all know that you shouldn’t judge a book by its cover, this is one case in which evaluating something on its appearance is not only accepted, but encouraged: In addition to their incredible collections, these libraries boast noteworthy exteriors—think soaring architecture, amazing art, and bountiful…
— Conde Nast Traveler
Today in History
The Jamestown Massacre
On this day in 1622, Indians of the Powhatan Confederacy executed a coordinated, surprise attack on the settlement of Jamestown, Virginia and the surrounding settlements, killing 347 English settlers, almost a third of the colony's…
— Travel Research Online
Press Releases of Interest
Eat, Drink, and Travel with Collette
Collette, a global tour operator, is thrilled to announce a delicious offering of tours featuring a culinary aspect. Guests will embark on new adventures all over the world by sampling authentic regional cuisine and connecting with individuals who keep local traditions alive while creating new ones for the next…
— Travel Research Online
Mike's Morning Missives
Poor Service Prevails
 I was all ears when my host at a dinner party began sharing stories about his driveway service with a table full of his influential neighbors. (In this case, “influential” means “financially sound.”)
He mentioned how he and his doctor, golf cronies spend much of their Saturday mornings sharing war stories about how their service providers are totally undependable. From lawn services to baby-sitters. From yelling matches to small claims court. What I ascertained from this discussion was that these wealthy consumers were not happy campers. I thought to myself, “There is a giant opportunity lurking in them there…
— Travel Research Online
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Luxury Travel Tips
It All Comes Down to This One Thing!
by Dan Chappelle
Thursday March 22, 2018
Everything, and I mean everything, you have done is to get to this point – this step. Building a solid foundation by establishing your authority and your brand. All the marketing you have created, participated in, and paid for. All the time and effort proactively reaching out to potential customers. This huge physical, emotional, and financial investment is all to drive you to the next and arguably most important step in the sales acceleration process. Without it, we would not be in a position to serve our customers; because frankly, we wouldn’t have any.
Selling is the next step in the acceleration process. Remember – you do not get paid to market, prospect, take fam trips, ship inspections, or product seminars. This is all an investment…
— Travel Research Online
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Departures
Your Choice of Paradise with Sirenis Hotels & Resorts
 Sirenis Hotels & Resorts has been a family-run business for over 40 years. Their headquarters is located in beautiful Ibiza, Spain. With a goal of remaining dynamic in the hotel and resort industry, they also offer first class accommodations at three other magnificent locations—located in the Caribbean and Mexico.
The Grand Sirenis Matlali Hills Resort & Spa, located in Nayarit, Mexico; is a luxury hotel with 117 suites. This resort is boutique-style and adult-oriented paradise located in the hills of Narayit. Here, you can bask in the shining sun of the golden, Pacific coastline; or explore unique towns and villages. There are so many activities at the Grand Sirenis Matlali Hills Resort & Spa—you may want to stay a little…
— 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 ➠
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