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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
Which is Better: Greece or Croatia?
So interchangeable are the islands of Greece and Croatia that the producers of the Mamma Mia! film sequel (due for release this July) have chosen Vis, off the Dalmatian coast, as a stand-in for the story’s fictional Greek island of Kalokairi – which must have had Greek tourism officials harrumphing over their…
— Telegraph (London)
Are These the Best Beaches in Cuba?
With 3,570 miles of coastline, it's no surprise that Cuba boasts an abundance of white sand beaches and clear blue waters. When Christopher Columbus landed here in 1492, he is thought to have declared the island "the most beautiful land human eyes have ever seen." Ever since then, acclaim for the natural beauty of Cuba, the largest island in the Caribbean, has only…
— CNN
Tours and Activities
Learning About the Civil Rights Era Through Travel
History museums, attractions and destinations around the country are emphasizing the civil rights story in an age of renewed activism around race and equality. On and off the trail, history museums, attractions and destinations around the country are emphasizing the civil rights story in an era of renewed activism around race and…
— New York Times
These Are the Best Alpine Resorts for Late-Season Skiing
After several disappointing ski seasons, 2018 was the year the snow finally returned to the Alps. All across France, Austria, Switzerland and Italy, holidaymakers were greeted by tantalising white pistes from January onwards, with some of the best conditions of the last five…
— The Independent
Cruise
European River Cruises Selling Out
It may sound strange as we enter spring, but now is the time to think about booking that fall or winter cruise getaway. Of course, this isn’t necessary for every ship or every destination, but with so many new ships coming out this year on the oceans and rivers of the world, booking your cruise well ahead of schedule has never been more…
— Vancouver Sun
Norwegian Bliss Is the World's Newest Over-the-Top Cruise Ship
Move over Symphony of the Seas, there’s a new giant cruise ship out there. The Norwegian Bliss is the latest mega-ship from Norwegian Cruise Line, with room for 4,004 passengers on 20 decks, multiple pools and waterslides, and 30—30!—bars and restaurants. It is nearly as long as the Chrysler Building is tall, at 994…
— Conde Nast Traveler
Transportation
These Are Britain's Most Beautiful Train Journeys
How to enrich an everyday rail journey? Scan the station departure screens for a glimpse of a faraway place, and plan for the day you will forsake your usual train and make your escape. Laced within the most humdrum rail schedules are some exotic anomalies – even from an inner-city station or a windswept halt in rural Norfolk. You just need to know where to…
— The Independent
New Law Could Make It Harder to Tell How Much Your Airline Tickets Cost
An old ticket-price tactic for airlines may make a surprise comeback, thanks to proposed legislation. Before a 2011 full-fare advertising rule forbade it, airlines displayed initial "base" ticket fares online without including the mandatory taxes and fees. The FAA Reauthorization Act of 2018, introduced last week, puts that rule in jeopardy. The bill funds the Federal Aviation Administration, but is also used for other purposes, such as revising aviation rules and consumer…
— Chicago Tribune
Lodging
Bubble Domes Are the Only Way to Camp in Ireland
You don’t need us to tell you Ireland is staggeringly beautiful. It’s idyllic, picture-perfect, everything you’ve read and more, especially when you step away from the tourist-rich hots pots like Dublin and Belfast. However, the island’s best natural experiences are far from the madding crowds in the extreme west or the wilds of Northern…
— The Manual
Heritage Explains: How Airbnb Is Helping Not Hurting
This week, Romina Boccia, deputy director of Heritage’s Thomas A. Roe Institute for Economic Policy Studies and Grover M. Hermann Research Fellow explains the "Airbnb effect" and new research that’s proving that alternative lodging is actually increasing tourism and overall travel, with direct benefits for local…
— The Heritage
Other and Odd
Disney's Animal Kingdom at 20: Imagineer Joe Rohde on the Park's History and Future
Disney's Animal Kingdom, the newest of Disney World's four parks, opened twenty years ago on Earth Day 1998. Joe Rohde (Vice President and Executive Desiger, Creative), has been working with Disney Imagineering for almost twice as…
— USA Today
Water Scooter Gunmen Fire at Beach Vendor in Mexico's Cancun
Gunmen on water scooters shot at a roving vendor on a beach in Cancun's glittering hotel zone Thursday, an incident believed to be unprecedented for the Caribbean city. Nobody was wounded. According to a police report, the afternoon shooting happened in front of a hotel in the heart of Cancun's resort-studded…
— ABC News
Today in History
The Mariel Boatlift
On April 20, 1980, Cuba's Fidel Castro unexpectedly announced that any Cuban desiring to emigrate to the U.S. could do so. At the port of Mariel west of Havana, boats were made available and 125,000 Cubans pointed their small craft northward to Miami. For weeks prior, political dissent had been running high in…
— Travel Research Online
Press Releases of Interest
DSA VACATIONS REAPPOINTED TO OPERATE SOUTH AFRICAN AIRWAYS VACATIONS
Fort Lauderdale, FL (April 18, 2018) – South African Airways (SAA), the national flag carrier of South Africa, has reappointed DSA Vacations to manage and operate South African Airways Vacations® (SAA Vacations®), the airline’s branded vacation package program for the North America market. The three-year term of the agreement is effective January 1, 2019, through December 31, 2021. Since its inception in 2006, SAA Vacations has grown to become one of the largest tour operators selling a wide range of air-inclusive affordable luxury vacation packages to popular tourist destinations throughout…
— Travel Research Online
Agent Perspectives
Cruise Clients Shouldn’t Rely on Smartphones As Their Only Cruise Camera
by Steven Frankel
Friday April 20, 2018
As a cruise jun kie (40+ cruises), a professional travel writer and photographer, and a normal human, I never leave home without my Apple iPhone X. Despite this, I would never go on a cruise with just a smartphone or tablet as my only camera.
Most of your cruise clients probably own smartphones or tablets. For the past few years, these devices have had state-of-the-art cameras built into them. Under most situations, they produce some great pictures. Sending photos to others via emails or texts is easy, and all the images are stored in the Cloud where even you can’t lose them. Most importantly, clients will be shooting with a camera that they already know how to…
— Travel Research Online
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Mike's Morning Missives
Who Is “Wagging” Your Shop?
 Allow me to explain today’s message in my new short and concise format. I was once flying to Phoenix, and then onto Miami for a couple of speaking assignments. (I love this game!)
Departing from Albany Airport is a real pleasure compared to Newark – my old launching…
— Travel Research Online
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Soundings
Travel Agent Beware
by Susan Schaefer
Friday April 20, 2018
Travel agents n eed to beware of supplier policies which can impact our commissions. I learned a painful lesson the hard way, so I’m sharing it here in hopes that other travel agents can avoid my pain. Here it is: not all supplier gift cards or credit cards are travel agent friendly.
Here’s My Experience
My local grocery store gives double fuel points for gift card purchases, and sometimes they will offer quadruple fuel points. It was during one of these 4x points times that I purchased some cruise line gift cards to apply to my own cruise. What I did not know in advance was that these gift cards are applied as a cruise fare credit, not as a payment. What happens when the cruise fare is…
— Travel Research Online
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Deck Plans
Ritz Carlton Company Announces Inaugural Itineraries for its Yacht Collection
The Ritz-Carlto n Hotel Company announces itineraries and shore excursion categories for The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection. Whether visiting a celebrated destination or one that is off the beaten path, guests will benefit from a dedicated Concierge Ashore in addition to five distinct categories of shore excursions, including Iconic Sights; Stirring the Senses; Cultural Connections; Active Explorations; and Epicurean…
— 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
Following the footsteps of Darwin in Patagonia
Thursday, May 10, 2018 at 1 pm EDT/10 am PDT
Visit Patagonia and explore the old stomping grounds of world-famous naturalist, scientist and author, Charles Darwin.
Register Now ➠
Get to Know the newly renovated Grand Sirenis Punta Cana Resort
Tuesday, May 1, 2018 at 1 pm EDT/10 am PDT
Grand Sirenis Punta Cana is a five star, all-inclusive, family oriented hotel, located just 45 minutes from the Punta Cana International Airport and 20 minutes from downtown Bavaro. Our 1300 ft. stretch of white sand and turquoise waters along the Uvero- Alto beach is the epitome of paradise, with countless lounge chairs scattered amongst the palm trees. This breathtaking property is decorated with lush, vibrant gardens and boasts one of the largest water parks in the area, Sirenis Aquagames, as part of the all-inclusive package!
Register Now ➠
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 ➠
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