Destinations
Where to Find Bangkok's Best Street Food While You Can
Will the city ban its famed street food offerings? It’s unclear. In the meantime, a quest to find the best fishball noodle stands and much more. Last April, the Bangkok Metropolitan Authority made international headlines when it announced the city of more than 8 million would ban street food vendors — often considered the world’s best — in order to make sidewalks more…
— New York Times
Beautiful European Beaches with World Heritage Sites on Their Doorstep
Beach breaks are a wonderful thing. But lying on a sunlounger all day isn't everyone's cup of tea. And, say scientists, the best way to make your holiday feel like it's lasting longer is to leave the trunks/bikini at the villa and get out and…
— Telegraph (London)
Tours and Activities
The 7 Best Places to Go in Florida Now
Millions of people touch down in the Florida each year, drawn by its seemingly endless coastline of white sand beaches, warm weather, and blend of family-friendly and adult activities. In 2017 alone, Florida welcomed a record 116.5 million visitors, according to the state’s tourism division, with more than 102 million coming from other parts of the…
— Time
This App Will Hire a Local to Plan Your Entire Trip - for Only $25 a Day
Those looking for an easy way to plan a trip that includes visiting local gems, this program may be the answer. Through the travel app ViaHero, you can pay $25 per day to get matched with a local based in the country they're traveling to. That host, which ViaHero calls a "hero," will build a custom itinerary for your getaway.…
— Travel+Leisure
Cruise
Port of New Orleans Cruising Toward a Record Number of Passengers
"We are on pace to surpass our 2017 milestone for cruise passengers," says Donnell Jackson, Media Relations Manager for the port. "In 2017, we saw more than 1.15 million cruise…
— WWL
Royal Caribbean's CEO Says Passengers Would Stop Getting Norovirus if They Would Just Wash Their Hands
The illness, whose symptoms resemble those of food poisoning or the flu, is highly contagious, which makes a dense, enclosed space like a cruise ship the perfect environment for the illness to spread. Norovirus is the most common cause of mass illness on cruise ships, and when it hits, it can hit hard, sometimes affecting hundreds of passengers on a single cruise.…
— Business Insider
Transportation
American Airlines Reveals Boeing 787 'Dreamliner' Order
American Airlines is ordering 47 new Boeing jets with a combined list price of $12.3 billion to replace some of its oldest planes. The sides did not reveal details of the deal, though airlines typically negotiate sizeable discounts on such orders. American is also canceling an order with Boeing’s European rival, Airbus, that was made last decade by US Airways prior to its merger with…
— USA Today
If You Collect Avios points, Things Are About to Change
Members of the Avios retail reward scheme are being moved to the British Airways Executive Club - with potentially adverse effects on frequent flyers. Avios, a subsidiary of BA, is telling more than two million collectors: "The UK Avios Travel Rewards Programme will close but Avios, the currency, will…
— The Independent
Air France Announces More Strikes for This Month
The “spring of discontent” among French transport workers is intensifying. Unions representing pilots, cabin crew and ground staff at Air France are now emulating the two-day rolling strikes currently being deployed by workers at SNCF, the national rail…
— The Independent
Lodging
First Luxury Hotel in Space Announced
Want to see 16 sunrises in one day? Float in zero gravity? Be one of the few to have gazed upon our home planet from space?
In just four years' time, and for an astronomical $9.5 million dollars, it's claimed you can.…
— CNN
Selina Raises $95M to Create a Boutique Travel Lodging Experience Built Around Communities
If you’re looking to travel abroad — and especially if you’re looking to work while doing so — it might be tough to convince yourself you can find a cool boutique hotel that caters to a lot of different price points, as well as surround yourself with people that will help you feel like you should still get your work…
— Tech Crunch
Other and Odd
Washington, D.C., Cherry Blossoms Have Reached Peak Bloom
If you want to see the famous cherry blossoms of Washington this year, now is the time, according to the National Park Service. The blossoms reached peak bloom on Thursday, the agency said on its Bloom Watch…
— Baltimore Sun
Tricks of the Trade: Secrets Travel Agents Want You to Know
Much has been written about the power of human connection in recent years. We know, for example, that reaching out to other people can increase your lifespan, strengthen your immune system and significantly reduce your risk of depression and/or anxiety. However, what isn’t often (OK, ever) touched on is that human connection can also help you book the holiday of your dreams for a lot less than anticipated.…
— Escape
Today in History
Robert E. Lee Surrenders
The end of the American Civil War was near as Sherman left Atlanta and marched his troops to Savannah in December of 1864. Although it briefly appeared that England might enter the war on the side of the South, those hopes began to…
— Travel Research Online
Editorial Musings
How big is too big?
by John Frenaye
Monday April 09, 2018
Saturday, the w orld’s largest cruise ship (well, the most current largest cruise ship in any event) se out on a maiden voyage from Barcelona. The Symphony of the Seas is Royal Caribbean’s latest Oasis class ship which is 2,000 tons bigger than the former world’s largest cruise ship—the Harmony of the Seas. Is there an end in sight to this game of un-upmanship?
Maybe. While there certainly is some panache and prestige to owning the world’s largest cruise ship I don’t see it lasting forever.
With each new-build there are inherent issues. I remember back in 1998 when the dinky Grand Princess made her debut with a measly 3,100 passengers (the Symphony of the Seas is more than twice that at 6,680) she was too wide for…
— Travel Research Online
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Publishers Corner
Setting expectations and exceeding them
by Richard Earls
Sunday April 08, 2018
The most diffic ult marketing hurdles travel agents face are the misapprehensions of their clients. Every opportunity you have for repeat business, testimonials and referrals depends on your clients' satisfaction with your services. Misunderstandings will act as an impediment to client satisfaction. Many consumers do not know exactly what a travel agent does. Especially if the client is under the impression that the travel agent is primarily a retail travel outlet, misunderstandings will occur. It's a good idea in every instance to demystify travel for your clients and to bring their expectations into alignment with the efforts you undertake on their…
— Travel Research Online
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One-to-One Interviews
Todd Neuman, Executive Vice President North America, South African Airways
Todd Neuman serves as the Executive Vice President for South African Airways in North America. Based at the carrier’s North American Regional Office in Plantation (Fort Lauderdale), Florida. He oversees the commercial operations for South African Airways, including sales, marketing, and corporate communications. Neuman began his career with South African Airways in 2006, as vice president of sales, responsible for passenger sales strategies and business development.
An airline industry veteran with more than 30 years’ experience, Neuman has held senior management positions with World Travel Holdings, a leisure travel company based in Burlington, Massachusetts. Prior to his engagement with World Travel Holdings, Neuman served 22 years with US Airways in several management positions in the sales and marketing departments.…
— 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
Explore the “uttermost end of the earth” with Australis Expedition Cruises
Tuesday, April 24, 2018 at 12 pm EDT/9 am PDT
Australis takes you on an amazing journey to the “uttermost end of the earth” on modern expedition cruise ships that ply the untamed wonderland at the bottom end of South America. During 25 years of sailing and travel to Patagonia, we've had the privilege to introduce more than 100,000 travelers to the glaciers, fjords, sub-polar forests and amazing marine and terrestrial wildlife of Patagonia.
Register Now ➠
ShoreTrips 101: And Introduction to the World's Best Shore Excursions
Thursday, April 19, 2018 at 3 pm EDT/12 pm PDT
ShoreTrips 101: An introduction to ShoreTrips and why we have the world's best shore excursions. Learn about the history of the company, and why you want to choose ShoreTrips for your clients. We'll go through FAQs, our ports and destinations, and learn how to use ShoreTrips.com and all our helpful tools.
Register Now ➠
Small Group Touring through Europe
Tuesday, April 17, 2018 at 1 pm EDT/10 am PDT
London based Back-Roads Touring Co, the experts in Small Group Touring, is pleased to join Travel Research Online for an informative webinar all about their unique style of touring. From just 15-18 passengers per tour, boutique accommodations, authentic local experiences, knowledgeable tour guides, leisurely paced itineraries, and so much more, these tours will soon be on the forefront of every clients mind. With tours through the UK and Europe, and their most recent additions through Asia, Back-Roads Touring Co offers a unique touring option for your travelers. Join us as we uncover the key selling features, and learn more about the Roads Less Traveled with Back-Roads Touring Co.
Register Now ➠
5 Things You Need to Know about Rail Travel in Canada & Planning Your Clients Next Vacation
Wednesday, April 11, 2018 at 12 pm EDT/9 am PDT
Canada is the perfect destination for a rail vacation during any season. From trips between cosmopolitan cities to overnight adventures across the country, Canada’s extensive rail network offers a unique vacation option in Canada.
Register Now ➠
BECOME AN EXPERT IN AWESOME
Tuesday, April 10, 2018 at 1 pm EDT/10 am PDT
With new attractions, new hotels, and the opening of a whole new water theme park, your clients may not be aware of all we have to do – or that they’ll need multiple days to see and do it all. Be sure to register to take our webinar course so you can stay an expert on everything going on at Universal Orlando Resort™.
Register Now ➠
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The missing ingredient I am referring to without a doubt is, (you guessed it,) follow up.
