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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
Beautiful Madeira, the Island of Eternal Springtime
Year-round spring climate. Mountains soaring from an ocean of deepest blue. An abundance of exotic fruit and superlative seafood. Unusual wines. Madeira seems to be the island that has it all. Yet Portugal's "pearl of the Atlantic" has always had an image…
— CNN
Catriona Rowntree: After 20 Years Travelling, Nowhere Compares to Egypt
She’s been travelling the world for Channel 9’s Getaway for more than two decades, so to say Catriona Rowntree loves travel is an understatement. Despite being constantly wowed by breathtaking new destinations, Rowntree says nowhere can compare with the place where her love of travel began —…
— Escape
Tours and Activities
Amazing Animal Adventures: See the World's Smallest Penguins in New Zealand
“The penguins are wild, coming and going naturally, they leave the colony before it gets light in the morning and return from sea at night as it starts getting dark in the evening,” Agnew says. “We protect them from introduced predatory mammals and human disturbance, we also provide them with space to nest and nesting boxes to breed…
— USA Today
The world's Best Horse-Riding Holidays
Whether you love nothing more than viewing the world from atop a horse, or are a novice eager to learn, these are some of the world's best horseback…
— Telegraph (London)
Cruise
Kayak, Bushwhack and Get to Know Scat On An Adventure Cruise to Alaska
There are many ways to explore Alaska — backpacking, a big cruise line — and fewer ways to explore the Inside Passage and the 5,130 square miles of mostly wilderness that is Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve, named a UNESCO World Heritage site in…
— Seattle Times
Carnival Horizon the Line's Best Ship
I’ve just stepped off Carnival Cruise Line’s new, 3,960-guest Carnival Horizon, in the Port of Barcelona. And while her Mediterranean season is short (she sets sail for New York and Miami in a few weeks’ time), this is a ship that truly is a destination in its own…
— Vancouver Sun
Transportation
5 Ways to Stay Safe on Bus Trips Abroad
Traveling by bus abroad can be a fun and affordable way to see the sights, but depending on where you go, road safety can be a big issue. Here’s what to know before you go. Terrorism, infectious disease and crime are common worries for travelers, but we’re all much more likely to be hurt or killed on the world’s roads. Many of us don’t drive when abroad — instead we enjoy bus tours, taxis or other private vehicles, but that doesn’t mean you’re at the whim of your…
— New York Times
Uber to Stop Storing Precise Location Pick-ups/Drop-offs in Driver Logs
Uber is planning to tweak the historical pick-up and drop-off logs that drivers can see in order to slightly obscure the exact location, rather than planting an exact pin in it (as now). The idea is to provide a modicum more privacy for users while still providing drivers with what look set to be remain highly detailed trip…
— Tech Crunch
Lodging
Marriott Hotels is Trying to Take On Airbnb
Marriott International, the largest hotel company in the world, is attempting to take on Airbnb with its own offering for the homeshare market. Launching Tributeportfoliohomes.com on 23 April, Marriott has a selection of more than 200 specially selected homes in London to choose…
— The Independent
See Inside The Eliza Jane, a New Hotel Inspired by The Daily Picayune's First Woman Publisher
Eliza Jane Nicholson, who in 1876 became the first female publisher of a major metropolitan newspaper, The Daily Picayune, is back in the spotlight, this time as the inspiration behind one of the Hyatt's newest hotels in New…
— NOLA.com
Other and Odd
12-year-old Got in a Fight With His Mom, So He Took Her Credit Card and Ran Away to Bali
An adventurous (and mischievous) 12-year-old boy stole his mom’s credit card and booked an escape to Bali for four days. After getting in a fight with his mom, the boy — identified by the pseudonym Drew — stole her credit card and booked a spiteful runaway flight from his home in Australia to…
— Travel+Leisure
8 of the Weirdest and Coolest Events Around the World
Would you do yoga in the nude? How about taking your pup to a festival totally dedicated to pets? If that’s not your bag, perhaps a marathon of pizza eating may tickle your fancy. Whatever weird interest you may have, there’s probably an event for it somewhere in the…
— Business Insider (Australia)
Today in History
Tanzania comes into existence
Britain and Germany had long been the colonial powers in eastern Africa, and the nation of Tanganyika was no exception. But when British rule came to an end in 1961, Tanganyika peacefully moved into independence with Julius Nyerere as its President. Just offshore on the small island nation of of Zanzibar, however, a long-standing Arab dynasty remained in place even after the British gave the country its independence in…
— Travel Research Online
Press Releases of Interest
Celestyal Cruises Launches 20 Percent Commission Special for Travel Agents
MIAMI, FL – April 2018 – Celestyal Cruises is celebrating the launch of its newest itineraries with a 20% commission special on 7-day all-inclusive cruise bookings. The company is pleased to demonstrate its ongoing commitment to its North American travel agent partners rewarding them with commission across the majority of components, including the cruise fare (which includes, standard unrestricted drinks package and select shore excursions), additional pre-sold shore excursions, and pre-sold premium drinks upgrade…
— Travel Research Online
Luxury Travel Tips
The Secret Formula to Not Losing Clients
by Dan Chappelle
Thursday April 26, 2018
If you have bee n following me for any length of time, you have probably noticed I only use a few quotes to reinforce my messages. One of my favorites is from a management guru, the late Peter Drucker, “The purpose of a business is to create and keep customers.”
The cost of getting a new customer is astronomically high in terms of both money and time. In fact, it is not unusual to lose money or barely break even on their first transaction. That’s right, run the numbers and I think you may be in for a shock once you factor in real costs, time and overhead – not just the marketing…
— Travel Research Online
Read the rest of this article »
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Departures
Charming Chengdu with ChinaTour
Chengdu is known as the “Country of Heaven”, and is home to magnificent sites that earn this title. Home of the Giant Panda, gorgeous temple sightings on mountains, and lively festivals—Chengdu is the place to experience the genuine culture of China. Today, thanks to ChinaTour, you’ll get a peek at Chengdu’s wonder.
— Travel Research Online
Read the rest of this article »
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Spotlight
Sublime Galapagos Islands with Marnella Tours
by Simone Hasskew
Thursday April 26, 2018
If you're ever  been interested in marine life and nature, the Galapagos Islands are the perfect place for your next vacation! Home to many different endemic species, this archipelago is a great way to immerse yourself in the wildlife all around. Thanks to Marnella Tours, the supplier sponsor of this article, you'll be able to see all of what the Galapagos Islands have to offer.
— 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 ➠
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I am piggy-backing today’s message off of a column I read in a New Jersey based newspaper.
