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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
This Is the Best Park in Every U.S. State
This summer, get yourself, your family, or even your pet outdoors and explore the hidden natural wonders in your own backyard. With the help of Yelp, MONEY has identified the best park in each of the 50 states as well as the District of Columbia, and then spelled out the costs to visit…
— Time
The Next Machu Picchu? Kuelap Set to Be Peru’s Next Big Thing
The UNESCO World Heritage Site of Machu Picchu is one of the world’s most famous ancient ruins. An Incan citadel set high in the Andes Mountains firmly visited by over one million tourists each year. But overcrowding is taking its toll with an average of 5000 people a day visiting during the summer months, double the 2500 visitors recommended by…
— Escape
Tours and Activities
Seeing a City the Old-Fashioned Way: One Step at a Time
Walking tours, including self-guided walks, are enjoying a resurgence in popularity, attracting ever more travelers interested in exploring their destination in a slow, no-tech fashion: on…
— New York Times
Here's a Way to Spice Up a Trip to Europe: Add a Day Trip to a Neighboring Country
With relatively small countries and delightful public transportation, it's easy to throw a change of scenery and culture into your European itinerary. Here are some of my favorite international day trips: London to Paris, Dubrovnik to Mostar, Helsinki to Tallinn, and Tarifa to…
— Miami Herald
Cruise
Ready to Get Away From It All? Try a World Cruise. Four Will Depart From Los Angeles Next Year
Southern California passengers won't have to go any farther than the Port of Los Angeles to hop on a world cruise in January. Four lines will offer the lengthy cruises, which often run more than 100 days. Two other world cruises will depart from San…
— LA Times
Leave It to Richard Branson to Create Cruise Ships Like None You've Seen Before
Virgin is headed to the open seas. Virgin Voyages, the upcoming cruise line from Richard Branson, has unveiled a “shiptease” with information about the much-anticipated vessels. The cruise line will launch with three ships, each with a capacity of 2,700 passengers, expected to set sail in 2020. Production costs are currently estimated to be around $2…
— Travel+Leisure
Transportation
Delta Air Lines Will Fly to India (again) in 2019
Delta Air Lines will put India back on its route map. The carrier said on Thursday that it intends to resume flights to Mumbai in 2019, though it did not offer a specific start date or route plan. Those details will come later this year, Delta said. Delta said recent talks between the U.S. and the Middle East nations of Qatar and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) allowed it to again consider India…
— USA Today
United Is Building Private Terminals for High-paying Passengers
Imagine having an airport terminal all to yourself. It can actually happen — if you’re willing to pay for the privilege. United Airlines has announced plans to build a Private Suite terminal for high-paying business class passengers at Los Angeles International Airport who want nothing more than to avoid the huge crowds for a totally elite travel…
— Travel+Leisure
Lodging
Glamping USA: Stay In A Hobbit Hut, a Covered Wagon Or A Caboose
Camping doesn’t have to mean roughing it. A new wave of private campgrounds makes it easier than ever to go glamping — short for luxury or glamorous camping. Travelers can spend a night in an upscale tipi, a vintage Airstream trailer or a designer treehouse. “Everyone is looking for a way to disconnect while having a unique experience,” says Jessica…
— USA Today
Madrid Takes on Airbnb
Madrid has become the latest city to confront overtourism, as the Spanish metropolis moves to drastically curb the Airbnb and homeshare listings available in the destination. Secretary for sustainable urban planning José Manuel Calvo announced the proposed regulations last week, aiming to tackle the issue of mass tourism head on.…
— CNN
Other and Odd
Sir Richard Branson: We're 'Tantalizingly Close' to Putting Tourists in Space
Planet Earth in 50 years: what might it look like? Few people, perhaps, are more qualified to provide an interesting response to this question, than Sir Richard Branson - who is far more at risk of getting lost in the future, chasing his dreams of space travel, than ever getting stuck in the muds of the…
— Telegraph (London)
Why Innovation Starts With the Travel Experience
As an industry representing 10% of jobs globally and on track to reach $1.5 trillion in gross bookings by 2020, the travel market is one that’s ripe for innovation and disruption. But in order to shape the future of travel, brands in the space - from startups to long-established players - need to take a step back and start by focusing on the travel experience, says Rashesh…
— PhocusWire
Today in History
The Constitutional Convention Convenes
On May 25th, 1787 the Philadelphia Convention convened with delegates from each of the states. The problems arising under the Articles of Confederation were pressing the new nation. Many of the delegates, notably James Madison, intended that the Articles of Confederation be scrapped in favor of a new system of…
— Travel Research Online
Press Releases of Interest
PERILLO INVITES BACHELORS TO “LA DOLCE VITA” BEFORE HEADING DOWN THE AISLE
WOODCLIFF LAKE, NJ (May 1, 2018) - Grooms (and groomsmen) tired of the same old stag party can skip the cliché traditions with Perillo’s Learning Journeys’ new “La Dolce Vita” Ultimate Bachelor Party package. From test driving a Ferrari in Florence to wine tasting in the hills of Chianti, the four-night Tuscan getaway is filled with unforgettable experiences to help the groom-to-be say “arrivederci” to his single…
— Travel Research Online
Agent Perspectives
Window on Britain
by Paull Tickner
Thursday May 24, 2018
If you, like me and around 2 billion others around the world, watched Saturday’s magnificent Royal Wedding here are a few very good reasons why you should choose the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead as a hub for tours in Britain. Indeed, Windsor is worth very serious consideration as the starting point for tailor-made tours and pre- and post-cruise extensions.
Traditionally, when you get to Heathrow, you then join the weekday traffic jam heading into London. The alternative suggestions in my top three stories will resonate with all your anglophile, frequent travellers to these…
— Travel Research Online
Read the rest of this article »
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One-to-One Interviews
Louie Melhem, CMO of Cosmopolitan Travel Service
Louie Melhem
CMO
After joining CTS in 1990, Louie has overseen the Sales and Marketing for CTS. His familiarity with the products and the markets that CTS offers are one of the main reasons why CTS is where it is today. Louie holds a BA from the University of Michigan and a JD from the Detroit College of Law.
— Travel Research Online
Read the rest of this article »
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Mike's Morning Missives
Make My Life Easy
 That was the headline of the article I read on page 14 of the AARP Bulletin. (This is a weekly news “rag” for those of us refusing to take on the behavior of a “fossil.”
The subhead read, “From cookies to cell phones, dog food to discount drug cards, Americans are finding that more is less.” There are just too many choices available to today’s…
— Travel Research Online
Read the rest of this article »
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Deck Plans
Sapphire Princess Ready for 2018 Season After Two-Week Dry Dock
Sapphire Prince ss emerged today from a two-week dry dock in Singapore. The ship has been upgraded with refit onboard spaces and product innovations. After finishing up a season cruising throughout Asia, Sapphire Princess departed on a 28-day voyage from Singapore to London to begin European voyages to the Mediterranean and Northern Europe including Monte Carlo, Lisbon, Brussels, St. Petersburg, and an opportunity to cruise the Norwegian Fjords during Summer Solstice.
— Travel Research Online
Read the rest of this article » |
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
Gauchos, Penguins, and Glaciers - Patagonia by Land and Sea
Wednesday, June 6, 2018 at 1 pm EDT/10 am PDT
On this Australis webinar we are going to explore, in-depth, one of our most unique routes called “Gauchos, Penguins, and Glaciers.” During the webinar Stephen Bass will break the route down day by day and give a description of each days’ activities. He will also cover the details of this unique combination of both Land and Sea in one exciting experience.
Register Now ➠
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