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
Luang Prabang, Laos: A One-Minute Tour
Looking for the perfect Southeast Asia destination that combines stunning scenery and cultural immersion?
Then here's the place for you: In northern Laos lies Luang Prabang, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.…
— CNN
Ljubljana, Slovenia: Tiny Capital of Tiny Country a Huge Treat
Located where the Germanic, Mediterranean, and Slavic worlds come together, Slovenia enjoys a happy hodgepodge of cultures while also presenting plenty of its own unique character. And much like the country as a whole, its capital city of Ljubljana is a delight to explore, yet remains relatively…
— Vancouver Sun
Tours and Activities
10 Wildlife Trips Where You Can Get Up Close With the World's Coolest Animals
Just as humans gather for festivals every year, animals congregate around the world to put on impressive shows. And it’s easy to get where the wild things are if you know when and where to go. Migration and calving patterns make for some of the most breathtaking natural shows on the…
— Travel+Leisure
10 of the World's Weirdest Museums
What turns an ordinary object into something extraordinary? Put it in a museum. No matter how seemingly odd or mundane, objects offer us windows into history and connect us to our past. They expose our darkest preoccupations, most brilliant ideas, and the limitless creativity of the human…
— National Geographic
Cruise
Norwegian Bliss First New Ship of 2018 to Make It to North America
Norwegian Bliss is just one of several big new ships that debuted this spring from the shipyards, but it’s the first to cross the Atlantic. The new 168,028-ton, 4,004-passenger ship from Norwegian Cruise Line arrived in New York last week for a media preview and will next stop in Miami before making its way across the Panama Canal and heading to Los Angeles and finally Seattle to begin a summer of Alaska…
— Sun Sentinel
Tui Expands Cruise Ship Fleet to Capture Rising Demand
The world’s largest holiday company Tui’s big bet on cruises is paying off as steep demand helped to pare losses at the tour operator. Chief executive Fritz Joussen has overseen a multibillion-euro investment splashed out on its growing fleet of ships, which was enlarged in May last year with the arrival of Mein Schiff…
— Telegraph (London)
Transportation
Travel Chaos as Greater Anglia, Northern Rail and SNCF Staff Go on Strike
From Northumberland to the south of France, rail passengers are experiencing another day of cancellations and delays due to strikes – with further disruption planned on the trains and planes at the weekend. Members of the National Union of Rail, Maritime and Transport Workers (RMT) employed by Northern and Greater Anglia have walked out for 24 hours on Wednesday in disputes about the role of…
— The Independent
Airline Customer Satisfaction is Higher Than You Might Think, a Survey Indicates
The airline industry is one that passengers love to hate. And yet, overall customer satisfaction hit an all-time high in 2017 and declined only slightly in 2018, according to the latest American Customer Satisfaction Index Travel Report, which was released in late…
— NOLA.com
Lodging
Honeymoon Guide: Six Los Cabos Resorts for couples
Los Cabos can be considered “Mexico-Lite.” Over the decades, this destination at the tip of the Baja Peninsula has transformed from a sleepy fishing village into a powerhouse tourism area. Developing the way it has, Los Cabos has plenty of touchstones that will make U.S. travelers feel at…
— USA Today
Moxy Hotel Opens Wednesday, Welcoming 'Fun hunters' to River North
Chicago’s new Moxy hotel appears to live up to its name. From the bold, industrial-chic design to a bevy of playful touches (press a button on the retro phone to hear a bedtime story — naughty or nice), moxie abounds in this 156-room property that opens today in River…
— Chicago Tribune
Other and Odd
New Study Finds The Worst Travel Habits Around the World
Expedia is out with its 2018 Airplane and Hotel Etiquette Study and a list of travel habits – the good, the bad, and the downright aggravating – along with tips for how to avoid fellow travelers who display them. The company polled 18,229 people from 23 countries about what behaviors annoy them most when traveling as well as how they cope with sticky situations in the air and on the…
— Forbes
What I Learned From a Month of Mobile-Free Travel
One month ago, however, I was served my well overdue comeuppance when my smartphone left a Central American bar in someone else’s pocket and I was plunged, instantaneously, into social media cold turkey. Guatemala and Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula lay ahead of me – smartphone-free for the first time in a decade. How would I show off my wonderful, carefully curated #instalife to a group of strangers and bots I’d never…
— Telegraph (London)
Today in History
The Theft of the Crown Jewels
On May 9, 1671, a parson visited the Tower of London. 77 year old Talbot Edwards, the keeper of the jewels, was very fond of this parson, and hoped that his niece would someday marry the parson's nephew. However, the parson did not have a nephew, nor was he a parson. He was in fact Thomas Blood, a captain in Oliver Cromwell's military. On his May 9th visit, he brought "friends" with him and asked the elderly Edwards if he could be given a private showing of the famous crown…
— Travel Research Online
Press Releases of Interest
Kyriakos Anastassiadis completes his term as CEO of Celestyal Cruises -- Celestyal Cruises welcomes new CEO, Chris Theophilides --
May 7, 2018 -- (Piraeus), Greece -- Celestyal Cruises today announced that Kyriakos Anastassiadis will conclude his term as CEO of the company on June 30, 2018. Anastassiadis contributed to the company’s strategic repositioning as well as to the development and strengthening of the Celestyal Cruises brand internationally. From his position as Chair of CLIA Europe, a role he has served in since late 2016, he assiduously promoted the cruise industry…
— Travel Research Online
Point-to-Point
Your Next Safari? Indian Wildlife Diversity is Off the Charts
by Jane Behrend Wednesday May 09, 2018
Africa may be the spot on the planet most famous for safaris (a Swahili word that literally means "journey") but it's far from being the only place where travelers can experience close encounters of the critter kind.
Another incredible place for wildlife watching is South Asia, in particular the India, Nepal and Sri Lanka which between them boast scores of national parks and nature reserves that revolve around…
— Travel Research Online Read the rest of this article »
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Supplier Profile
NYC Year-Round with New York City Vacation Packages
There are perks to planning a vacation through a supplier that focuses on only one location. This type of company knows the location thoroughly, and adjusts its packages and tours to fit the rhythm of that location. This is how New York City Vacation Packages (NYCVP) has become the largest, independent tour company in the USA that focuses exclusively on New York City.
In 2018, NYCVP is celebrating their 20th anniversary as the premier vacation package…
— Travel Research Online Read the rest of this article »
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Mike's Morning Missives
Get This, And Get This Good!
Where better to glean important, life-changing information than the breakfast table?
News Flash: Referrals are a good way to go.
When we first relocated to Florida, my wife and I did not have a rolodex of “go-to” resources. When an eye ailment hit my wife, we first went the quick fix route by going to Walgreen’s. When the problem persisted, I asked if a doctor’s office might be a better place to tear…
— 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
Argentina and Beyond with Aerolineas Argentinas and Delta
Thursday, May 17, 2018 at 3 pm EDT/12 pm PDT
Join Aerolineas Argentinas and Delta for their informative webinar on Thursday, May 17.
Register Now ➠
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 ➠
What’s New from Emerald Waterways in 2019 – Europe’s Rivers
Tuesday, May 15, 2018 at 1 pm EDT/10 am PDT
Experience the Exceptional Emerald Value on one of Europe’s newest and best-designed river cruise fleets, Emerald Waterways. Voted Best River Cruise Line For Value by the discerning experts at Cruise Critic for three years in a row, our ships and river cruises are praised for their striking design, innovative highlights and contemporary approach, setting a trip with us apart from any other river cruise. During our webinar you’ll learn what’s new for 2019, hear about our brand new promotions and find out about the re-launch of our online training tool, Emerald Specialist. Sign up today to join our Richard Hickey, Director of Key Accounts, to learn how you can build your business with Emerald Waterways.
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 ➠
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