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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
36 Hours in Tbilisi
With chaotic yet charming cobblestone streets, dome-shaped bathhouses steaming with sulfuric waters, and crumbling Soviet factories repurposed as hipster hotels, Tbilisi is a study in contrasts. Capital of Georgia and the heart of the Caucasus, the city teems with riches: cathedrals that rise in the hills like layer cakes; hidden cafes bursting with bric-a-brac, and a bohemian art scene that is slowly peeling away the Soviet grit from this survivalist town to reveal a vibrant creative…
— New York Times
Has Greece Reached Tourist Capacity?
Greece is the latest in a string of European countries fighting to maintain the fine balance between sustainable tourism and “overtourism” - with one prominent politician saying the country is feeling the strain. This year, the country is expected to welcome 32 million foreign travellers – an almost 100 per cent increase from the 15 million visitors in 2010 and over five times the amount of visitors from 10 years…
— The Independent
Tours and Activities
Benedict Allen Explores Salt Lakes And the World's Most Beautiful Cities on the Silk Road
“You want an illegitimate taxi?” asked the waiter, after my rousing meal of vodka and something delicious that may have been mutton. In truth, I’d have been more than happy with a legitimate one, that first evening but – too late! – a passing Lada was flagged down and soon I was speeding back to my hotel driven by an Uzbek with a tremendous set of gold teeth and surprisingly good grasp of…
— Telegraph (London)
Disney World: New Views of Toy Story Land, Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge
Aerial photography taken from above Walt Disney World by Orlando Sentinel photographer Red Huber shows the progress made — and the current contrast between — two new lands in the works for Disney’s Hollywood Studios theme park. In the foreground of the above photo is the colorful Toy Story Land, set to open June 30. In the background stands Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, which is scheduled to open in late fall of…
— Sun Sentinel
Cruise
Carnival Cruise Line to Base a Ship in Brisbane, Australia for First Time
Cruise giant Carnival soon will have a ship based in Brisbane, Australia — a first for the line. The Miami-based cruise company this week announced its 2,124-passenger Carnival Spirit would operate out of the city year-round starting in 2020. The ship currently is based in Sydney, Australia.…
— USA Today
Billion-Dollar Cruise Ship Brings Go-Karts and Laser Tag to the High Seas
On the new Norwegian Bliss, cruise passengers can drive go-karts on a two-story racetrack, listen to a Beatles cover band inside a replica of Liverpool’s Cavern Club or play laser tag in a space-themed, outdoor arena. Those are just three of the dozen or so entertainment options on the ship, which cost $1 billion to…
— Bloomberg
Transportation
United Frequent-Fliers Splurge on Miles to See Boeing 747 'Disassembly Center'
United flew its last Boeing 747 passenger flight in November, but 10 United frequent fliers and two airline employees were treated to one last look at the pioneering jumbo jet at a special event here this past Saturday. Those who made the trip gave United’s 747s one last…
— USA Today
Emirates to Revolutionise Air Travel With Windowless Planes
Looking out of the window on a plane is one of the best things about flying — especially if you’ve got epic views over mountain ranges or cities like London, New York or Sydney. But The Sun reports, this might be set to change, as Emirates announce plans to build planes with virtual…
— Escape
Lodging
Huge Fire Breaks Out at Luxury Hotel
A huge fire broke out at a luxury hotel in central London a week after "the most extensive restoration in its 115-year history" was completed. Plumes of smoke were seen rising from the five-star Mandarin Oriental in Knightsbridge just before 16:00 BST. A total of 36 hotel guests and 250 members of hotel staff were evacuated - singer Robbie Williams was among…
— BBC
Inside the Hotel That Will Host the Trump-Kim Summit
When President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un meet for their summit next Tuesday, it will be at a luxury five-star hotel in Singapore. The Capella Hotel on Singapore's Sentosa Island will host the summit, White House press secretary Sarah Sanders said Tuesday. The hotel grounds sit on the coast and are within walking distance of Universal Studios Singapore.…
— CNN
Other and Odd
Mount Taranaki: Will the New Zealand Peak's 'Living Person' Status Bring Respect?
New Zealand must feel like the reserved sibling in a family of exhibitionists. You have big, brash Australia to one side, the dreamy, tropical South Pacific isles above and alluring, mysterious Antarctica to the south. Which could go some way to explaining why New Zealand has been left off so many maps of the world, from the Smithsonian Natural History Museum to those simple cartographic artworks by the likes of Starbucks and…
— The Guardian
This Is What It's Like To Travel As A Gay Asian Man
As a gay Asian man who works in the tourism industry and loves to travel himself, Romey Louangvilay’s goal is to make travel more inclusive for everyone. A finalist in Forbes’ 2016 Top 30 Under 30 in Marketing & Advertising, Louangvilay is head of communications, overseeing public relations, social media and influencer marketing, at a full-service New York City-based marketing…
— Forbes
Today in History
The Treaty of Tordesillas
On June 7, 1494, the countries of Spain and Portugal signed the Treaty of Tordesillas, so named for the Spanish city it was created in. The treaty divided the New World of the newly discovered Americas between the two governments. The treaty only recognized any prior claims by "Christian kings", which meant that the local indigenous people were forced under their rule. The colonization of these areas would prove to be devastating for many of these tribes and…
— Travel Research Online
Mike's Morning Missives
You Have A Dual Purpose
 I remember this like it happened yesterday. Yes, even seasoned travelers like myself have a bag full of embarrassing war stories.
I forgot my passport while traveling to Toronto. Although this was not a life or death scenario, it did highlight the fact that squared-away individuals like myself can fall prey to the human element of…
— Travel Research Online
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Departures
Consolidated Savings with Cosmopolitan Travel Service
 Cosmopoliton Travel Service (CTS Fares) has been consolidating the details of getaways for over 50 years. They work closely with airlines, hotels, and car rental agencies to help the travel consultant and their clients save money. Their goal is to do good business, and help agents do good business in return; meaning that, not only do they provide some of the best discounts in the travel industry, the complete process of booking through CTS is transparent: mark-ups, net rates, and commission levels are all visible…even through the booking engine.
CTS Fares is always on the case when there are issues, questions, or scheduling changes. With support available 24-hours a day, 365 days a year, there isn’t a…
— Travel Research Online
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Spotlight
Ancient Tunisia with Tunisair
by Joseph DeLoach
Thursday June 07, 2018
Tunisia is the  northernmost point of Africa. Steeped in ancient culture and architecture, Tunisia is vastly different from Western countries. With a Mediterranean climate in the north, and semi-arid and desert climates to the south, Tunisia has a varied amount of ancient richness to please the traveler.
Northern Tunisia includes the major cities and sites the traveler will want to visit. Tunis, the capital and largest city of Tunisia, is a laid-back city. The center of the city is the Medina quarter, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This area contains about 700 monuments including, mosques, palaces, mausoleums, and ancient fountains. It has been a major center for activity since the year 698. Here, you’ll also find the city…
— 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
Compete with Costco Travel & Win!
Thursday, June 14, 2018 at 3 pm EDT/12 pm PDT
Have you ever experienced helping a client plan a vacation only to have them call you and say they booked with Costco, Sam’s Club, or BJ’s because of a better deal? It’s the worst! Nothing is more frustrating and makes you feel more helplessness than when that happens. So what can you do about the low prices, amenities, sometimes rebates cleverly disguised as gift cards that are a thorn in your side? The answer - a lot more than you might think!
Register Now ➠
Explore China & Asia Beyond The Familiar
Wednesday, June 13, 2018 at 3 pm EDT/12 pm PDT
Join Travel Research Online and Chinatour.com and let us introduce you to new products in China and Asia. While most of you are familiar with Beijing, Xian and Shanghai in China or Bangkok, Chiang Mai and Phuket in Thailand, we’d like you to explore some other amazing secondary destinations to share with your discerning travelers. Other destinations in Indonesia besides Bali will be featured and we will be discussing and offering Agent FAM Trips as well.
Register Now ➠
Emerald Waterways in 2019 - Europe Rivers, Dalmatian Coast & Nile River
Tuesday, June 12, 2018 at 3 pm EDT/12 pm 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 including Emerald Waterways’ first ocean cruise: the Islands of Dalmatia, and our newest Egypt, Nile River & Jordan programs. Sign up today to join Mark Junette, Regional Sales Manager, Southwest, to learn how you can build your business with Emerald Waterways.
Register Now ➠
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