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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
Mid-Atlantic Bucket List: Must-see Places in Maryland, D.C, Delaware, Pennsylvania, Virginia, West Virginia
Every week for a year, from May 2017 to April 2018, The Baltimore Sun's Travel Unraveled newsletter shared a new must-visit destination in the Mid-Atlantic region. Boardwalks, caverns, the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and more are are collected from weeks…
— The Baltimore Sun
23 Breathtaking UNESCO World Heritage Destinations in the U.S.
Most likely, you have been to a UNESCO World Heritage site in the United States without knowing it. Remember that Griswoldian summer vacation to the Grand Canyon? The high school field trip to Independence Hall in Philadelphia? The college tour of the University of Virginia? Congratulations! That’s three in your pocket. But don’t stop now. You can collect all 23, intentionally or…
— The Washington Post
Tours and Activities
Why Your First Safari Should Be in Botswana
To put it in perspective: In 2001, Botswana had exactly zero rhino left, which forced the government to get serious about passing legislature to combat and protect its wildlife. Since then, they've made poaching punishable by death, and are the only country in Africa to deploy the national military to make sure poachers stay out of the reserves (South Africa and Zambia still rely on private donation). Last year, Prince Harry lent the cause some dazzle when he became patron of Botswana's Rhino Conservancy, and today, at least 200 rhino have been repopulated to the Okavango Delta due to private-public…
— Conde Nast Traveler
Want to Visit the Korean DMZ? Here's How
Dividing the peninsula like a scar, the 160-mile-long treaty zone isn't just a strategic political meeting place -- it's also a tourist magnet. It may be one of the world's most heavily militarized borders, but the DMZ welcomes more than 1.2 million travelers each year, according to the Korea Tourism Organization.…
— CNN
Cruise
Inside Scenic Eclipse: New Images of the World's Most Luxurious Cruise Ship
Brand new images tell us more about life on-board the world's most luxurious cruise ship, Scenic Eclipse, which will set sail this summer. Judging by the size of the suites, guests could be forgiven for thinking they've checked into one of the finest luxury hotels in the…
— Telegraph (London)
13 Things You Didn't Know About Cruise Ship Design
ritons' appetite for a holiday at sea has seen continued growth in recent years and 2017 welcomed yet another record number of travellers taking a cruise from the UK and Ireland. As the number of passengers rises, there is an increasing demand for larger and more advanced ships. With the world's largest cruise ship - Royal Caribbean's Symphony of the Seas - setting sail earlier this year, we spoke to Tom Wright, a UK-based architect who has designed ships for Royal Caribbean's ever-expanding fleet for nearly 15 years,…
— Telegraph (London)
Transportation
Southwest Will Fly to Hawaii from Four California Cities
Southwest’s plan for its new Hawaii service is slowly falling into place. The airline revealed Thursday that it intends to launch Hawaii flights with service from four California cities: Oakland, Sacramento, San Diego and San Jose. The carrier first announced its intent to fly to Hawaii in 2017, though it has yet to set a start date as it awaits certification to fly its Boeing 737s on the long overwater routes between Hawaii and the U.S.…
— USA Today
True Stories: These 737 Qantas Pilots Are Also Father and Son
It’s one thing to work with your parents, but when your dad is a Qantas 737 captain and you’re the first officer, it’s a whole new ball game. Steve Gist, a Qantas 737 captain, and son Taylor, a new first officer recently operated their first Qantas flight together. So what’s it like working in such close quarters with…
— Escape
Lodging
The Best Luxury Hotels in New York
New York may be the city that never sleeps but when you’re paying top dollar for a hotel room, you’re going to want some quality shuteye. Fortunately the luxury hotels in Manhattan are among the best in the world, offering the finest interiors from renowned designers, chic in-room amenities, attentive service, and glorious city views (which is often the number one selling point for a hotel).…
— The Independent
The TWA Hotel Brings Retro Style to JFK Airport
If you remember anything about Trans World Airlines (better known as TWA), you probably remember the legendary white TWA Flight Center just outside of John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York City. Designed in 1962 by groundbreaking Finnish-American architect Eero Saarinen, the former flight center has been redesigned and reimagined into the TWA hotel, set to open in the spring of 2019.…
— CNN
Other and Odd
Haunting Relics of a Country That No Longer Exists
Hundreds of bizarre futuristic monuments appear out of place jutting from the varied landscape of the former Yugoslavia—ghostlike echoes of a country that no longer…
— National Geographic
New Zealand Disappears From World Maps, and a Viral Video Is Born
But New Zealand has disappeared from the world’s maps. The country — home to 4.7 million people — has been left off charts displayed at the Smithsonian Institution, the Central Park Zoo, Ikea and Starbucks. Fear not: Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern is on the case, if only reluctantly.…
— New York Times
Today in History
The Kent State Shootings
On April 30, 1970, US President Richard Nixon announced the American invasion of Cambodia. Student demonstrators across the country began both peaceful and violent protests on the nation's campuses. At Kent State University in Ohio, the National Guard was called out to restore order to the campus. Confrontations between the students and the soldiers, however, became increasingly agitated with rocks being thrown at the National Guard and two students stabbed with…
— Travel Research Online
Press Releases of Interest
TRO: Erratum Correction!
On May 1, Tuesday of this week, TRO mistakenly sent an email out to a portion of our database for Cook Travel with…
— Travel Research Online
SOUTH AFRICAN AIRWAYS VACATIONS® CELEBRATES NELSON MANDELA’S CENTENARY WITH A SPECIAL AIR-INCLUSIVE VACATION PACKAGE
Fort Lauderdale, FL (May 03, 2018) – South African Airways Vacations® (SAA Vacations®), the leisure division of South African Airways, introduces a new package to celebrate the centennial year of Nelson Mandela’s birth. The 8-night air-inclusive “Celebrating Mandela’s 100th” package priced at $2,499* (restrictions apply), will take travelers in the footsteps of the new South Africa’s founding father, visiting places where key moments of the struggle for freedom took place.…
— Travel Research Online
Agent Perspectives
Seaweed, A Giant Peach, Spitfires and Bluebells
by Paull Tickner
Thursday April 26, 2018
If you like cus tomising UK tours, take a look at some of the exciting travel experiences that can be blended into tailor made tours for families, pre or post cruise extensions and imaginatively themed special interest tours. These and other bright ideas will transform your itineraries and help you impress your clients with your knowledge and connections.
Putting together these and other pieces of the Great British Jigsaw Puzzle is what I do as I transform your wish list into a unique "travel less, see more" value added UK tour...
Starting with a Seaweed Festival and a Giant Peach, here we…
— Travel Research Online
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Soundings
With New Ships Comes New Terminals
by Susan Schaefer
Friday May 04, 2018
We have several new ships in the pipeline for the coming years. And cruise ports need to keep up with the new ship builds. As the ships are being designed to be bigger, cruise ports take the risk of losing business if they cannot accommodate these bigger ships. When Royal Caribbean designed the largest ship at sea, Oasis of the Seas, they built a whole new port of call in Falmouth, Jamaica to accommodate the size of Oasis.
So it should be no surprise that we are now seeing the two largest cruise ports in the world moving to update their cruise terminals so they can accommodate the newest ships coming down the…
— Travel Research Online
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Deck Plans
Seabourn’s Excursions In Northern Europe
Seabourn will b e traveling the waters of Northern Europe this summer. Travelers touring the region on Seabourn Quest and Seabourn Ovation during its maiden season will have opportunities to explore on land and water. With a selection of never-before-offered shore excursions highlighting local culture, history and natural beauty, travelers will be in the company of expert Seabourn…
— 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 Sunshine Coast – Australia’s best kept secret and Queensland’s hidden gem!
Wednesday, May 16, 2018 at 3 pm EDT/12 pm PDT
Just one hour north of Brisbane in Queensland is the region known as the Sunshine Coast – Australia’s best kept secret and Queensland’s hidden gem! From the majestic Glass House Mountains to Noosa and the coloured sands of Rainbow Beach, the region includes over 100 kilometres of pristine sandy beaches, surrounded by the quiet beauty of coastal and hinterland villages. The Sunshine Coast offers you on an Australia vacation abundant in nature, with a relaxed beach culture, fresh local food, world-class events, and bucket list experiences just waiting to be explored.
Register Now ➠
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 ➠
Why Flanders-Belgium should be among the top destinations in 2018
Wednesday, May 9, 2018 at 1 pm EDT/10 am PDT
Join us for this webinar about Flanders-Belgium and learn why it should be among the top destinations your clients can visit in 2018. Located in the north of Belgium, Flanders manages to surprise visitors with a huge range of opportunities for culture, gastronomy, nightlife, shopping, art, architecture and cycling. Flanders encompasses the art cities of Brussels, Bruges, Antwerp, Ghent, Mechelen and Leuven.
Register Now ➠
Hotels.com Travel Agency Interface & Travel Agencies - A Match made in Heaven
Tuesday, May 8, 2018 at 3 pm EDT/12 pm PDT
Join us on May 8, 2018 at 3pm Eastern (12pm Pacific) to learn about the benefits, high commissions and features of the leading hotel booking website, with properties ranging from international chains and all-inclusive resorts, to local favorites, B & B, apartments, Relais & country homes, and vacation rentals. Hotels.com Travel Agency Interface TAI features 300,000+ properties in over 200 countries, a selection that’s not typically found in traditional GDS systems + millions of independent reviews from real travelers.
Register Now ➠
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Director of Australis, an expedition cruise company specialized in exploring the “end of the world.” Felipe Castro has over 30 years of varied travel industry experience, working in the largest travel agency in Chile (Turismo Cocha) and the biggest Chilean Airline (LAN) when it expanded to Peru. He was the acting president of the Association of International Airlines of Peru (AETAI) for two consecutive terms, a Commercial Engineer, and boasts a bachelor’s Degree in business administration from Universidad Diego Portales. With such a background in Tourism, Felipe has a lot to say when it comes to travel.
Here are six essential qualities that are the key to…
