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Editor’s Note — TRO wants to remind it’s 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
Tunisia is Finally Embracing Its Berber Culture
Matmata is best known for its underground troglodyte houses where the first Star Wars film was shot in 1976. Hotel Sidi Driss is still the main tourist attraction here - a few remains of the original film set are on display in this cavernous underground hotel dug out of the limestone rock. The robot-like structures made of wood, and caves with…
— The Independent
Which is Best for Honeymoons - Maldives, Mauritius or Seychelles?
he islands of the Indian Ocean, Mauritius, Seychelles and Maldives - are unequivocally some of the most beautiful in the world and have topped the list of dream honeymoon destinations for decades. There's no doubting the allure of their perfect white sand beaches and swaying palms, but how do you choose between them? Luckily, these paradise…
— Telegraph (London)
Tours and Activities
Want a Disney wedding? It'll Cost You.
When couples seek magical weddings, they often turn to Magic Central, aka Disney. More than twenty-five years ago, the first couple tied the knot at Walt Disney World and since then more than 50,000 happy couples have followed suit. In fact, you can catch up on some of these Disney weddings with “Disney Fairy Tale Weddings,” available…
— USA Today
Disney, Universal Fans Wait Hours to Try New Rides
If you’re heading to the opening of Toy Story Land this Saturday at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, you should expect to wait. Huge crowds will lead to long lines at the rides and other attractions in the new area of the park. One expert predicts waiting for the marque ride, Slinky Dog Dash, could be as long as 200 minutes at the…
— Sun Sentinel
Cruise
Cruising New Zealand’s Spectacular Milford Sound
“Last, loneliest, loveliest, exquisite, apart”. When Rudyard Kipling wrote this famous line he was thinking of Auckland, but over the years it has become more commonly associated with Milford Sound, 1042km directly south. Which is fair enough, because you need as many admiring adjectives as you can to describe this transcendently beautiful part of…
— Escape
Holland America Line Launches All-Oprah Cruises
There's a whole lotta Oprah going on at Holland America Line. And not surprisingly, the Oprah-themed cruise scheduled for next January 30, 2019 is already sold out. You heard that right. Holland America has partnered with O, The Oprah Magazine, to make the magazine come alive for hundreds of Oprah-loving passengers. Next January 30,…
— Forbes
Transportation
Japan Takes Transportation to the Next Level With a Hello Kitty Bullet Train
Hello Kitty, the adorable pink and white cartoon character, has been a beloved figure in Japan since Yuko Shimizu created her in 1974. She’s covered everything from coin purses to backpacks, vending machines, and now, a hurtling technological marvel. West Japan Railway just unveiled their newest bullet train, which is entirely Hello…
— Vogue
Israeli Airline to Remove Passengers Who Refuse to Sit Next to Women
Israeli airline El Al said it would "immediately" remove any person from a flight who won't sit next to another passenger following outrage after four ultra-Orthodox men refused to take their assigned seats because they were next to women. An incident last Friday at Kennedy Airport on El Al's New York-Tel Aviv flight prompted one of Israel's…
— NBC News
Lodging
This New London Hotel Is Proud Of What It Doesn't Have
Few hotel websites contain a proud list of amenities that they don’t offer. But then again, the newly renovated London-based hotel Pilgrm is hoping to offer travelers a unique hotel experience. No more trouser presses, room service or minibars. No bellboys or doormen, it says on its website. What it does have is a sense of place, peace of…
— Forbes
Airbnb Strengthens Paris Presence Thanks to Century 21
Airbnb has clashed with cities where it operates for awhile over regulations specific to each. Back in December, authorities in Paris started cracking down harder on the service to comply or face legal consequences. Airbnb has a new strategy to play by the rules in France's most populous city: Partnering with international real estate company…
— Engadget
Other and Odd
Google Duplex Will Make Reservations for You So You Never Have to Pick Up the Phone Again
After first unveiling the controversial technology at its annual developer conference, Google is ready to start rolling out Google Duplex this summer. First, what it is: Google Duplex is artificial intelligence designed to make phone calls for specific purposes, like making a restaurant reservation or scheduling a hair appointment. Second, how it works:…
— Travel+Leisure
Why These 7 Countries Are Listed on Trump's Travel Ban
On Tuesday, the Supreme court upheld the Trump administration’s travel ban 5-4, affirming the president’s power over matters of national security. The latest iteration of the ban includes restrictions against five majority-Muslim nations — Iran, Libya, Somalia, Syria and Yemen. North Korea and Venezuela are also on the list. Three other…
— Politico
Today in History
First solo circumnavigation
On June 27, 1898, a 37 feet sloop-rigged fishing boat named Spray sailed into Newport, Rhode Island. It was by all accounts an unremarkable boat except for one thing: its captain, Joshua Slocum, had just circumnavigated the world, a distance of more than 46,000 miles, by himself. His book on the journey, published in 1900, Sailing Alone Around the World remains a classic adventure tale. Slocum disappeared at sea in November 1909 during a trip to South America on the Spray.…
— Travel Research Online
Mike's Morning Missives
Stop Being A Victim
 This was a chapter headline in a book I recently picked up at an airport book store. The title of the book was “Happiness… It Is Never Too Late.”
What does being “happy” have to do with marketing? Just about…
— 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
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 ➠
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