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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
Has Santorini Island Found a Savior?
Santorini's sweeping caldera, sunset cruises, picturesque blue-domed churches and whitewashed vacation cottages carved into a 300-meter cliff have made it an unstoppable success story among the islands of…
— CNN
How to Travel to Iceland
There are plenty of reasons why Iceland is one of the hottest travel destinations: it’s home to some 30 active volcanoes, steaming hot springs, and bubbling geysers, to name a few of its natural attractions. The Land of Fire and Ice is also famous for specific sites, like the largest glacier in Europe by volume and crystalline ice caves that can only be explored in the winter. And that’s to say nothing of the flickering Northern lights…
— Travel+Leisure
Tours and Activities
China's Scariest Outdoor Attractions
China is increasingly giving America a run for its money as the land of the biggest and the best.
As the world's most populous nation with the world's second-biggest economy, the self-styled Middle Kingdom is finding new and increasingly nerve-racking ways to attract and entertain…
— CNN
Sleepovers? Feminist Tours? Custom Beer? Museums Get Creative
Museum Hack specializes in unconventional, interactive, story-driven sessions aimed at people who may or may not enjoy museums but are drawn to certain subjects. For Harry Potter fans, for instance, there’s “The Completely Unofficial and Definitely Unlicensed Boy Wizard Tour,” offered in San Francisco and New…
— The Washington Post
Cruise
How To Retire On A Luxury Cruise Ship
Mama is the ultimate cruiser, who had a choice when she retired. A senior community? Or a cruise ship? For her, the answer was easy -- a cruise ship. In fact, a Crystal cruise ship, which is widely acknowledged as one of the world's best luxury cruise…
— Forbes
Disney Cruise Line Has a New President
Twenty-eight year Disney veteran Jeff Vahle has been named president of Disney Signature Experiences, a new grouping that includes Disney Cruise Line, Disney Vacation Club, Adventures by Disney and Disney's Hawaii resort…
— Seatrade Cruise News
Transportation
2018 FlyerTalk Awards: The Top Loyalty Programs
The awards were voted on by members of FlyerTalk, a popular online community devoted to frequent-traveler interests. The FlyerTalk Awards are one of two by big frequent-traveler communities to recognize frequent-flier programs. They join the long-standing Freddie Awards, now in their 29th year. The Freddies, the most high-profile of the awards for loyalty programs, are set to be unveiled later this…
— USA Today
Why Don't Planes Have Bunk Beds?
You’ve got a 12-hour flight to Dubai: would you rather be sitting up or lying down? For most, it’s an easy answer. No-one likes being strapped to a chair, sharing armrests with strangers for such a long stint; that's why it costs a lot of money to get horizontal on a plane. Which got us…
— Telegraph (London)
Lodging
Loews Resorts at Universal Orlando Highlighting Florida Flavors
Guests of certain Loews Hotels in Universal Orlando will soon be able to spot some popular names in Florida food and beverage on resort menus. Select Florida-based ingredients, foods and drinks are being highlighted at Loews’ Portofino Bay, Sapphire Falls, and Royal Pacific…
— Sun Sentinel
Travel Nightmares: What to Do If Your Hotel Reservation is Lost
After a long drive from Buffalo to Gananoque, Ontario, Adam Cole's hotel delivered some bad news for him: His reservation was "gone." "I had a confirmation from my travel agent," says Cole, director of a music school in Atlanta, "but there was no…
— USA Today
Other and Odd
This Is What It's Like Inside Thailand's Real Life Jurassic Park
I was woken up, suddenly, by the guttural roar of a dinosaur. It sounded close – just metres away from the small hut where I’d been sleeping. I had spent the night in the heart of a real life Jurassic Park: Phu Wiang, a little known national park in the often overlooked northeastern corner of…
— The Independent
13 Out of 14 Humans Live in the Same Hemisphere
The human population of earth, of course, is not distributed evenly over its surface. The "Valeriepieris Circle" is perhaps the most shocking implication of this fact: more than half the people on earth live within a 2,000-mile radius of the town of Mong Khet in northeast Burma. But there's another way to visualize the way humanity clusters, and for this one, we have to travel from Burma to Switzerland. Let's call it the Rankin…
— Conde Nast Traveler
Today in History
Founding of the Library of Congress
President John Adams signed into law an act establishing the Library of Congress on April 24, 1800. The same act transferred of the seat of government of the United States from Philadelphia to the District of Columbia. The law made available the sum of $5,000 "for the purchase of such books as may be necessary for the use of…
— Travel Research Online
Press Releases of Interest
SOUTH AFRICAN AIRWAYS AWARDED SKYTRAX™ 4-STAR RATING FOR THE 16TH CONSECUTIVE YEAR
Fort Lauderdale, FL (April 23, 2018) – South African Airways (SAA), the national flag carrier of South Africa, has maintained a Skytrax™ 4-Star rating, in both Business and Economy Class, for a 16th consecutive year. The Skytrax™ rating signifies that South African Airways’ product and service standards on long-haul, regional and domestic flights continue to perform at the high standard that meets 4-Star…
— Travel Research Online
Mike's Morning Missives
I’ll Take “Sales” Every Time
 Although the days may be warm and sunny as you read today’s message, I am going to rewind the clock to cooler days to make - what I believe - to be a very good comparison.
I must admit that although I have come to learn that there are more than a few weird people in the world, I still have trouble coming to grips with The Polar Bear Club. These folks get nearly naked and plunge themselves into the ocean on New Year’s Day for reasons beyond my…
— Travel Research Online
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60-Second Geography
El Calafate's Splendor with Aerolineas Argentinas
by Joseph DeLoach
Tuesday April 24, 2018
El Calafate sit s near the bottom of the world, nestled near the southernmost point of Patagonia, Argentina. It is a wondrous place full of sights rarely seen anywhere else. From caves to glaciers to still, blue lakes—El Calafate is the nature lovers paradise. And, today, Aerolineas Argentinas wants you to know all about this magical place.
— Travel Research Online
Read the rest of this article »
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Independent Consultant
The Pitch
by Anita Pagliasso
Tuesday April 24, 2018
For those of yo u who have been following my articles over the years already know that I am a fan of some of the reality TV shows. With the busy lives we lead, these shows can sometimes be that break we need from our own reality, as we watch the interesting stories unfold. I am particularly interested in anything that I can learn and apply to my own business, even from business moguls from Shark Tank to Gene Simmons of KISS!
One show that I loved in 2012 is called “The Pitch.” This series offers viewers an inside glimpse of two top ad agencies completing to win a new client by going head-to-head in a winner-takes-all showdown. With only seven days to prepare, the stakes are…
— Travel Research Online
Read the rest of this article »
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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 ➠
Auckland: Where all good New Zealand vacations begin
Wednesday, May 2, 2018 at 3 pm EDT/12 pm PDT
As North America’s leading Destination Specialist Wholesaler, Down Under Answers recognizes the importance for travel agents to recommend Auckland to their clients when traveling to New Zealand.
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 ➠
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