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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
Who Needs Vienna? 13 Second Cities You'd Never Thought to Visit
It is rare a country’s prime urban draw is not it capital - though there are some famous examples (Rio de Janeiro, Barcelona, Sydney) - but what you are likely to find on a trip to a second city is often a dialed down, rough round the edges, more genuine representation of a nation’s way of life. Here follows 13 European city break options that should inspire you to skip Paris and head to…
— Telegraph (London)
8 Places to Go for Father's Day
It doesn’t need to be Father’s Day to take your dad on a well-deserved trip, but it’s definitely a good excuse (plus, it's a great way to make up for all those times you didn't call). Here are eight places for all different types of dads—including several where the entire family can tag…
— Conde Nast Traveler
Tours and Activities
Reindeer Herders, Eagle Hunters: New Silversea Tour Brings Rare Encounters in Mongolia
The scene is like something out of a Western movie. More than a dozen teepees are spread out along a bubbling creek that winds through a wide, grassy valley. Men in traditional garb move between the simple structures, tending to animals. Women cook around an open fire. But instead of Native Americans in feathered headdresses, the occupants of this remote encampment deep in the wilderness of northern Mongolia are Mongolian deel-wearing…
— USA Today
Tower of Terror Too Scary? More Kid-Friendly Rides Are Coming to Florida Theme Parks
Our Team Speed race car is skidding along the track with a flying pirate ship, a royal bed and three other Lego models, all of them slipping and crashing in cartoon chaos. In front of us, a volcano erupts, a landslide threatens and part of the road rises up and crumbles. I duck to avoid a flying Lego…
— Miami Herald
Cruise
Viking Cruises Reveals Details of What Will Be the Longest Cruise Journey Ever
It would take someone who really loves holidaying on the high seas — and who has a lot of annual leave up their sleeve — to take on this epic cruise. Viking Cruises has revealed details of what will be the longest cruise in history: a continuous, eight-month journey that takes in 59 countries and 113 ports in every continent of the globe — except for…
— Escape
A Dream World in Real Life: On a Weeklong Japan Cruise
A seven-night trip on Princess Cruises’ Diamond Princess last spring started and ended in Tokyo, and stopped at three ports along the northern coast of Honshu, and in Busan, South Korea’s second-largest city—a place we’d never have thought to go but that wound up being a highlight of the trip. Though the minute-to-minute schedule of a cruise took some getting used…
— Conde Nast Traveler
Transportation
Thousands Stranded at Charlotte Airport After Technical Issue
Thousands of passengers remain stranded at the airport in Charlotte after a regional carrier for American Airlines canceled all flights Thursday night because of a technical issue. PSA is a regional carrier of American Airlines and operates under the American Eagle brand. There were roughly 275 flights…
— WLOS.com
From Bumping to Lost Luggage to Canceled Flights: 11 Scenarios Airline Passengers May Face
What recourse do you have when a flight is canceled or delayed, or the airline changes its schedule or loses or delays a checked bag or bumps you from a flight? Even though the U.S. Department of Transportation and European regulators promulgate and enforce consumer protections, there are probably fewer “fly rights” than you…
— Arkansas Online
Lodging
Glamping Slips Into the Mainstream
Camping in the wild with all the comforts of a deluxe hotel, including real beds, plush furnishings and attending stewards, has been around since 19th-century African wildlife safaris. Now known as glamping — short for glamorous camping…
— New York Times
This is Why You Should Still Tip at an All-Inclusive Resort
When in Mexico, do as the North Americans do. That’s the advice on tipping in all-inclusive resorts on the Riviera Maya from “Timbuktu Timmy”, who hands over a dollar for each all-inclusive drink. “Not because I necessarily want to or think it’s deserved,” he says, “but just to get served, as otherwise you get ignored whilst all the Americans and Canadians are served around…
— The Independent
Other and Odd
Don't Let Volcanoes, Other Irrational Travel Fears, Ruin Your Summer Vacation
Worried that your trip to Hawaii will come to an explosive end after hot lava engulfs your oceanside rental? That’s just one of the irrational travel fears spreading faster than a Puna brush fire as the summer vacation season starts. Travel safety is always an important topic, but never more than now. So is separating unfounded worries from rational ones. It turns out Hawaii is still a stunningly beautiful and safe place to…
— Seattle Times
5 Perks Travel Agents Offer Beyond Booking Your Trip
Most people assume travel agents do little more than charge you money for booking trips, something most people are comfortable doing online. However, they can do a lot more beyond planning your vacations. “Of course we specialize in building travel itineraries, but good advisers can help you in all sorts of ways that most people don’t realize,” said Rob Karp, chief executive and founder of…
— New York Times
Today in History
George Washington Named Commander-In-Chief, Continental Army
True to the manners of gentleman at the time, George Washington never admitted to any ambition and never publicly sought power - but on June 15, 1775, his was the only serious name considered for the post of Commander-In-Chief of the newly created Continental Army. Though the army primarily consisted of New Englanders, Washington hailed from the Southern state of Virginia, and his gaining the position was seen as a move of inclusion towards the Southern…
— Travel Research Online
Agent Perspectives
Jerry Saxe, Vice President of Sales, Carlisle Travel
by Joseph DeLoach
Friday June 15, 2018
 With over 30 years of travel industry experience, Jerry has been instrumental in creating and implementing corporate travel management programs and incentive/motivational programs across a vast array of companies and industries throughout the world. Jerry has worked with Senior Management at many of Carlisle’s clients, including several Fortune 500 companies. Jerry has been effective in significantly cutting the overspend in travel and improving client satisfaction within their travel programs. Jerry has developed marketing strategies to increase sales through motivational/incentive travel and has put together travel incentive programs that will last a lifetime for the achievers.
— Travel Research Online
Read the rest of this article »
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Mike's Morning Missives
Six Business-Building Sound Bites
Sometimes, I feel like I am preaching to the choir. I suppose it never hurts to pause now and then for a little review. Today is one of those days. Let’s take a moment to think about the six reminders I have printed for you below.
...about marketing: Shrewd marketing begins after the sale is made. Once the sale is completed, many customers suddenly feel they're not getting the same attention they got when the salesperson wanted their business. While marketing to new customers is good business, maintaining current customers is even better…
— Travel Research Online
Read the rest of this article »
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Soundings
Welcome to the Family Silversea Cruises
by Susan Schaefer
Friday June 15, 2018
Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd., the parent company that owns Royal Caribbean, Celebrity Cruises and Azamara Club Cruises, announced this week that they are buying a controlling share of Silversea Cruises. Silversea Cruises has been owned and operated by the Lefebvre d’Ovidio family for the past two decades. Assuming that there are no hiccups along the way, the deal should be closed by the end of 2018.
For those that aren’t aware, Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. also owns stakes in other cruise lines. For example, they are joint owner of the German brand TUI cruises. They also own smaller stakes in Pullmantur and SkySea Cruises (a Chinese brand). However, the acquisition of Silversea Cruises adds something to their portfolio that they don’t have right now: a high-end…
— Travel Research Online
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Deck Plans
Shoulder Season Price Comparisons: Rhine 2019
Shoulder season river cruises can provide exceptional value. Airfares are generally cheaper than they are in peak season; river cruise rates can be up to 20 percent less than they are during the height of the summer; cities and tourist attractions are generally less crowded; restaurants and cafes are often a little less busy. And the weather? You may need to bring along a sweater or a wind-breaker, and it’s not a bad idea to pack a rain jacket, but on the plus side you’ll almost always escape the heat of the summer.
When is shoulder season? There are no set rules, but for the purposes of comparison, think April and May at the front end, and September, October and November on the back end. My shoulder…
— 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
Following the footsteps of Darwin in Patagonia
Tuesday, July 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 ➠
NEW ZEALAND 101 WITH GOWAY, AIR NEW ZEALAND, AND TOURISM NEW ZEALAND
Wednesday, June 27, 2018 at 3 pm EDT/12 pm PDT
What would be the major reasons to visit New Zealand? This makes for a long list. One has to say that one reason is nature at her best offering breathtaking landscapes of stunning and diverse natural beauty which include majestic and dramatic fjords, spectacular glaciers, rugged mountains, vast plains and farmland, long coastlines, wonderful sandy beaches and active geothermal regions plus so much more. The country also has history, culture and, not least, winelands producing excellent wines.
Register Now ➠
Best National Park Vacations
Tuesday, June 26, 2018 at 1 pm EDT/10 am PDT
Join Vacations By Rail’s Best National Park Vacations webinar and uncover the top-rated adventures and experiences to America’s treasures and natural wonders.
Register Now ➠
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