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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
Eight Hidden Italian Islands Where You Can Escape the Crowds
With more than 450 islands, Italy is home to some incredible beaches and coastlines, many with fascinating ancient history — but the secret’s out for many of them. For a quieter, more authentic experience, head to these eight Italian islands before the crowds do. Gelato, ocean vistas, and seclusion…
— USA Today
20 Secrets of the Greek Islands
Back in the day when Greece’s ferries were as delightfully cheap as they were agonisingly slow, island-hopping around the Aegean was a rite of passage for travellers. Now, with catamarans, charter flights, a ferry route connecting the Ionian islands for the first time this summer, and a fleet of seaplanes scheduled to launch in 2019, even the most remote islands…
— Telegraph (London)
Tours and Activities
Getting Perfectly Tailored Clothes is Cheaper Than You Think in Hoi An
I’m in Hoi An, the so-called tailoring capital of Vietnam, where hundreds of shops line the noisy, motorbike-laden streets, vying for the dongs and dollars of tourists keen fill their wardrobes with hand-tailored clothes. Here, talented craftsmen can stitch up custom-made garments, from a bespoke two-piece suit or to a copy of an Victoria Beckham dress, designing every…
— The Independent
Sampling Whisky in Scotland's Most Intoxicating Places
When I was in Scotland recently updating my guidebook, I came to a sobering conclusion — this is a land of booze geeks. Some of my favorite discoveries have been inviting whisky bars and historic distilleries, run by people evangelical about Scotland’s favorite beverage. When it rains — as it often does — the showers elicit a cheery “That’s tomorrow’s whisky!”…
— Seattle Times
Cruise
Scenic Eclipse Launch Delayed by Five Months
The launch of Scenic Eclipse, the highly anticipated “discovery yacht”, and a contender for the world’s most luxurious cruise ship, has been delayed by five months. The ship, due to launch at the end of August, will now be unveiled in late January 2019. Scenic founder and chairman Glen Moroney blamed construction issues for the delay. Eclipse and identical sister ship…
— Telegraph (London)
What Happens to Old Cruise Ships?
Ever wondered what happens to old cruise ships? Take a look at the final resting places of these once proud holiday vessels. Cruise ships have a lifetime of about 30 years. Eventually, however, ageing cruise ships become unseaworthy, outdated or too expensive to operate, and sail off into their ultimate sunset. Most cruise ships go with a whimper rather…
— Stuff
Transportation
Fat tax, empty bladders and the £30k olive: The bizarre lengths airlines go to lose weight
In 1987 American Airlines removed a single olive from each of its in-flight salads, reducing costs by a remarkable $40,000 (£30,000) a year. The savings were two-fold - first, caterers at the carrier could cross off tens of thousands of olives from its weekly shopping list, but second, each aircraft would now be lighter. Olives are by no means hefty but when it comes…
— Telegraph (London)
Airline Dining Out on 'Fake Beef' Controversy
Air carriers, too, have a history of recognising that plenty of people don't eat meat, and plenty of those who do don't necessarily hanker after it for every meal. Fly Virgin America in the United States, for instance, and you have the option of an autumn veggie wrap (with roasted pears and fig mustard dressing). Alaska Airlines has tomato hummus (whatever that…
— Radio New Zealand
Lodging
Disney: New Details on Star Wars Hotel Access
People staying at Walt Disney World’s Star Wars hotel will drive from Hollywood Studios’ parking lot over a drainage canal to get to the main hotel entrance, according to recently filed permits. Several Disney bloggers, including WDW News Today, have reported the new details that emerged from documents filed with the South Florida Water Management…
— Orlando Sentinel
Think Small: 8 Tiny House Hotels With Big Personalities
High up on a bluff in Appalachia, guests soak in a hot tub while watching the sun dip into the green valley below. Hang gliders soar through the surrounding skies, while trees rustle their way into evening. Guests, however, don't only come to this tranquil resort for the views. They also come for a peek into a way of living that's simple, enchanting and very…
— CNN
Other and Odd
This Small City in Southern France Has Roman Ruins to Rival Rome Itself
The South of France has long been a traveler's dream for its epic coastlines and iconic lavender-covered hills. But a visit to the city of Nîmes, between the Mediterranean coast and the Cévennes mountain range, will transport you not just to another place, but to another time — 2000 years ago, in fact. In June of this year, the city opened the Musée de la…
— Travel+Leisure
This Museum Tries to Make Death Seem Less Frightening
In New Orleans, there is a haven for those obsessed with true crime. The Museum of Death sits just one block from the loud and intoxicating Bourbon Street, where tourists drink hurricanes and revel in the city’s vibrant jazz music scene. The museum sits quietly, beckoning to tourists with its windows covered in bright red curtains and a sign boasting its…
— National Geographic
Today in History
A Man for All Seasons
On July 6, 1535, Sir Thomas More was beheaded when he refused to sign the Act of Supremacy declaring King Henry VIII Supreme Head of the Church of England. More was appointed the lord chancellor in 1529 after a distinguished career as a Member of Parliament and as a leading…
— Travel Research Online
Agent Perspectives
UK Tour Ideas for Masterpiece Fans
by Paull Tickner
Friday July 06, 2018
I confess that  perhaps like you, I’m a great fan of TV detective dramas like Sherlock, Inspector Morse, Grantchester and Foyle’s War. Over the weekend I watched a very good Poirot and enjoyed the Cotswolds scenery in a Father Brown. When any of these shows appear on PBS, dozens of your customers stay at home, avidly following the twists and turns of the current plot.
To help you to harness the interest being fanned every week by every episode, do three things?
Firstly, compile a list of clients who are almost certain to be Masterpiece fans – it could cover a few pages! Secondly produce a (shorter) list of contacts you have with your local PBS, Friends of Libraries group, bookstores, readers circles and book fair…
— Travel Research Online
Read the rest of this article »
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Deck Plans
AmaWaterways July News Brief
AmaWaterways’ Co-Founders and Owners Rudi Schreiner and Kristin Karst believe in the motto “under promise and over deliver,” and that desire to “over deliver” translates into actions throughout the AmaWaterways’ fleet. Here’s what’s going on with AmaWaterways right now.
FEATURED OFFER
First-Ever Founder’s Cruise with Rudi Schreiner or Kristin…
— Travel Research Online
Read the rest of this article »
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Mike's Morning Missives
Walk Your Talk!
 Today’s message involves an article I once read in the Florida Sun Sentinel.
It involved customer service, and this particular article referenced the DHL Freight & Shipping Company as an example of how to do things right.
As you might imagine in came a few emails with examples of DHL’s lack of professionalism and care for their…
— Travel Research Online
Read the rest of this article »
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Soundings
Rewarding Travel Agents for Loyalty
by Susan Schaefer
Friday July 06, 2018
Our suppliers a re always looking for ways to encourage travel agents to book their product more. Of course, the biggest incentive or reward is an increase in commission, and suppliers definitely do reward productivity with higher commission levels. However, several suppliers have additional incentive programs in place as well.
Where commission is set at the agency level, suppliers realize that individual agents do not benefit from increases in commissions. Agents that work in traditional store front agencies, getting paid a set salary, aren’t affected by changes in commissions coming into the agency. They may earn bonuses, but that is not necessarily true for all store front agents.
An independent contractor (IC) is compensated differently. They typically get a percentage of the commission from their bookings. So if…
— 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
Boutique All-Inclusive Cruising
Wednesday, July 18, 2018 at 3 pm EDT/12 pm PDT
Join Bruce Nierenberg, Chairman of Victory Cruise Lines for a live chat at 3:00 PM Eastern Time on Wednesday July 18th, 2018
Register Now ➠
Discover the Best of Banff Lake Louise This Holiday Season
Tuesday, July 17, 2018 at 3 pm EDT/12 pm PDT
The Banff Lake Louise area is the one destination your clients must visit in winter. It is the quintessential winter wonderland where thrilling outdoor adventures blend with the rich heritage of this magical destination.
Register Now ➠
Selecting that Perfect Safari Experience for your Clients
Wednesday, July 11, 2018 at 1 pm EDT/10 am PDT
South African Airways Vacations presents “Selecting that Perfect Safari Experience for your Clients” webinar. This webinar will help you narrow down all the many choices for the safari portion of a client’s itinerary and what questions you need to ask.
Register Now ➠
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 ➠
It's time to get serious about your website marketing
Friday, July 6, 2018 at 3 pm EDT/12 pm PDT
How many times have you promised to better organize your digital marketing efforts? You have a website, a Facebook page, maybe a Twitter account and you started an Instagram page, but they now languish at the back of your marketing plans going nowhere. Are your efforts disjointed, inconsistent and infrequent? If so, you already understand the symptoms of this malaise.
Register Now ➠
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