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Editor’s Note — TRO wants to remind its Travelgram readers the articles presented here are meant to assist you in remaining informed and prepared to discuss travel news of the day with clients.
Destinations
Why It's Time to Rediscover Your Favourite Corner of France
One of the most successful French films of recent years, Bienvenue chez les Ch’tis, tells of a postman who is relocated from the Côte d’Azur to a small town near Dunkirk as a punishment for a professional misdeed. What could be more bleak than two years in the shivering north? His fate turns out to be a blessing, of…
— Telegraph (London)
Back in Business: Two Monster Hurricanes Battered These Caribbean Islands
Seven months since several islands in the eastern Caribbean were hit by Hurricanes Irma and Maria, many tourism offerings are back online. Local leaders hope the restoration of tourism infrastructure will pump much-needed dollars into the recovery effort. In Dominica, like in other islands in the Caribbean where Hurricanes Irma and Maria hit in September, the storms proved disastrous not just for homes and businesses, but for the vital tourism economy as…
— Miami Herald
Tours and Activities
The Palio di Siena: A Survivor's Guide
This is a race in which jockeys — they ride for various contrade, or neighborhoods — feel free to bribe one another, out in the open, before the contest begins. Betrayal is common. Guile is prized. There are no rules but one: A rider may not interfere with the reins of another…
— New York Times
In Kauai, Where to Eat for Cheap: 20 Places to Chow Down for $20
We know you love to eat like a local when you travel. With the help of experts, we identified some new — and some old — faves on the Garden Isle and tried them, concentrating on the restaurants where residents dine and savor inexpensive…
— LA Times
Cruise
Miami Gives Go-Ahead for New Norwegian Cruise Line Terminal
Norwegian Cruise Line’s plan for a shiny new terminal in Miami were given the go-ahead by the Miami-Dade Board of County Commissioners. The line revealed design plans for the new Terminal B at PortMiami in March, but needed approval from government officials before moving…
— Sun Sentinel
Why More and More People Are Choosing River Cruises
Booking a holiday can seem like a welcomed reprieve from the deadlines and demands of everyday life, until suddenly you’re faced with the daunting task of planning it. These days the modern traveller is inundated with endless options for just about every aspect of a…
— The Herald
Transportation
Things You Didn’t Know About Your Flight Number
From the moment we arrive at the airport until we pick up our luggage at the other end, our flight number guides us every step of the way. But have you ever wondered what this assortment of letters and numbers…
— Escape
What Happens to Planes When They Are Retired?
Row upon row of derelict aircraft very slowly rusting away in the desert. Aircraft graveyards might be spectacular, but they're just a small cog in the fascinating industry that takes care of commercial aircraft once they're taken out of…
— CNN
Lodging
Exclusive First Look: Inching Closer to Launch, TWA Hotel Unveils Room Design
Rotary dial phones. Iconic midcentury modern architecture. TaB sodas in the mini-bar. If that sounds like it could be 1962, that’s by design. It’s all part of the DNA of the new TWA Hotel that’s set to open next year at New York’s John F. Kennedy International…
— USA Today
QE2 Finally Opens as a Floating Hotel in Dubai
She set sail in 1969 as a symbol of Britain’s global aspirations. After almost four decades of service, both illustrious and embarrassing, she was moored, forlorn, at a dock in Dubai. But finally the QE2 is to open as a floating hotel – with bargain rates over the next few…
— The Independent
Other and Odd
10 of the Best Design Hotels in the World
Charles Eames said the role of the designer is to be a good, thoughtful host and for a design hotel to work, it should do just that. These 10 – from Bali to Budapest – are hard to…
— The Guardian
The Weirdest Things That Are Completely Acceptable to Bring on the Plane With You
Every once in a while, questions about what items are cleared to fly pop up on Quora and leave us scratching our heads. Some recent examples include: slime, citric acid, an accordion, pepper spray, black petrol, a coyote skull, weed, hair wax, and…
— Travel+Leisure
Today in History
The Birth of Charlie Chaplin
The Academy Award-winning British comedy actor Charlie Chaplin was born on this day in 1889. Chaplin is one of the most notable actors and directors of cinema history. Even today his performances greatly influence Hollywood. Over a period of 65 years in the entertainment industry, he acted, directed, wrote and produced…
— Travel Research Online
Editorial Musings
Facebook cannot be ignored for the growth of your agency
by John Frenaye
Monday April 16, 2018
With 2.13 billi on users, Facebook is the largest social media platform and is a place that cannot be ignored for business promotion and growth..despite what the kids say today.
Are you using all the tools available on Facebook to grow your travel agency? Video streaming…or Facebook Live anyone?
Using Facebook to make your clients and prospects feel connected to your business is just one reason to make sure you are on top of the social media trends. Leverage your social media to encourage your followers to trust you and more importantly, become real, live clients. Engaging with your customers is not about the latest promotions and deals. It’s about creating an ongoing relationship and enticing them to come visit you, call you, or send you an…
— Travel Research Online
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Mike's Morning Missives
Lose Your “Chattering Monkey”
 What I am referring to as the “chattering monkey” is that little voice in the back of your head that keeps reminding you of your inferiority. The phrase is not mine. I stole it from Seth Godin.
It happens to be a loud, shouting, obnoxious voice that only you can hear; but you can hear it above all the other din in your life. The shame is that you (we) actually listen to it and give it…
— Travel Research Online
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Publishers Corner
Do I hear an objection?
by Richard Earls
Sunday April 15, 2018
You no doubt ha ve clients who trust you implicitly and will take your advice without question. In the early stages of any relationship, however, the client may have reservations you will have to explore and overcome. Too many travel professionals fear objections, but they are an important feature of the sales landscape. Don't mistake the value of an objection to both you and the client.
As with many steps in the sales process, timing is everything and objections are no exception.
Encourage your clients to verbalize objections as early in the sales process as is possible. Better to deal with an objection early rather than encountering as a rebuttle to your proposal later in the presentation. Objections may arise at any point in the relationship. Early in…
— Travel Research Online
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One-to-One Interviews
Ronen Nissenbaum, President and CEO, Dan Hotels
 Ronen Nissenbaum is the new President and CEO of Dan Hotels. He has rich and extensive background in the hotel industry in Israel and overseas. He has served as Vice President of Luxury Operations for Hilton Hotels, and was responsible for 15 hotels and three hotels in pre-opening stages. He has also served as the Managing Director of Waldorf-Astoria in New York, one of the most famous hotels in the world. In addition, Nissenbaum held a number of senior positions with InterContinental. And, three years opening Disneyland in…
— 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
The Best of Eastern Canada by Rail
Wednesday, April 25, 2018 at 12 pm EDT/9 am PDT
What better way to explore the great cities and captivating beauty of Eastern Canada than by train? Join Vacations By Rail for an educational session on selling Eastern Canada rail vacations. The perfect year-round destination, Eastern Canada’s popular destinations are close to home and filled with beautiful landscapes, iconic sites and exciting adventures.
Register Now ➠
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 ➠
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