|
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
Tropical Locales Bounce Back After Historic Hurricanes
Late summer of 2017 is a time that many Caribbean island inhabitants likely won’t soon forget. In the span of two weeks, two Category 4 hurricanes swept through the region, leaving a path of destruction and turning postcard-perfect beach locales into scenes resembling war-torn battlefields. Hurricane Irma, one of the Atlantic’s strongest hurricanes on record, pummeled St. Thomas in the…
— USA Today
Where to Eat and Shop in Malasaña, the Williamsburg of Madrid
Malasaña lives in perpetual rebellion. The most avant-garde barrio in Madrid, it’s home to candy-colored buildings and technicolor street art, all drenched in Spanish sunshine. Waking from a late slumber, the neighborhood gently crescendos into joyful chaos, first signaled by the clink of tattooed baristas pouring the trendiest café con leches in the city. Under a splattering of graffiti, Spanish…
— Vogue
Tours and Activities
This is Why Romania is the Next Capital of Adventure Holidays
“Keep yourself clipped in” shouts my guide Christina as I heave myself up onto a narrow ledge and fumble amateurishly with my safety harness. My breathing ragged, I get my carabiners in order, tighten them shut on the steel cable and lean back to take in the view. A train clatters along the rusty tracks, snaking through the valley 200 metres below. The vast Pădurea Craiului spread out across…
— The Independent
7 Stunning Natural Wonders in the Middle East
If you close your eyes and picture the Middle East, windswept desert dunes probably come to mind. While this region certainly has incredible sandscapes worth wandering (and we’ve included some here), it’s also home to a hypersaline lake, Technicolor valleys, and geological formations so fantastical you might feel you’ve arrived in a fairy-tale land or left Earth entirely. Here are a few of the many…
— National Geographic
Cruise
Exclusive: Costa Maya's Parent to Develop New Puerto Plata Cruise Port
The company behind Mexico's Puerto Costa Maya has won the concession to develop a cruise port at Puerto Plata. 'This is a major project for the Dominican Republic,' said Robert Shamosh, head of commercial affairs for Mexico's ITM Group. 'Things are aligned. The cruise lines are coming. This location is very strategic for Eastern Caribbean itineraries of four, five and seven…
— Seatrade Cruise News
Princess Cruises joins list of cruise lines ordering giant new ships
Princess Cruises is going big with its next series of cruise ships. The Love Boat line on Monday announced plans for two new vessels that will measure 175,000 tons — more than 20% bigger than its biggest ships to date. Scheduled to debut in 2023 and 2025, respectively, the as-yet-unnamed vessels will carry approximately 4,300 passengers at double occupancy. That's about 700 more than…
— WCNC NBC
Transportation
How Safe is an Airport’s Wi-Fi? Cybersecurity Study Ranks the Nation’s Best and Worst
Some good news for patrons of Miami International Airport who use their smart phones and laptops to do business or pass time on social media while waiting on a flight. According to a new survey by Coronet, a Tel Aviv-based cloud security company, Miami International is one of the 10 most secure airports in the country when it comes to cybersecurity. MIA ranked No. 9, one position…
— Miami Herald
JetBlue Founder Buying 60 Jets for New US Start-up Airline
It's official. The USA appears set to get a new start-up airline that will be launched by the founder of JetBlue. Speculation about David Neeleman’s start-up carrier has mounted since news about the effort – currently dubbed “Moxy” in investor presentations – was first reported in June by trade publication Airline Weekly. Now, Neeleman’s start-up has taken one of the most concrete steps yet toward…
— USA Today
Lodging
The Best Camping Holidays for 2018
Whether you fancy something remote and far away, or prefer to put up your canvas closer to home, Chris Leadbeater has found the perfect pitch for you this summer. It’s a suggestion that can be filed under the giant shrug of “well, it seemed a good idea when we booked it, and you were all for it, oh love of my life” when water is running down the guy ropes and everything you’ve packed for the…
— Telegraph (London)
The Top 5 Safari Lodges in Africa
When it came to selecting the top safari lodges in Africa, properties in South Africa, Zambia, and Tanzania rose to the top. And who could blame our readers? Home to top wildlife-viewing sites like Kruger National Park, South Luangwa National Park, and the UNESCO-protected Ngorongoro Conservation Area, these countries offer travelers the chance to see lions and leopards on the prowl, thousands…
— Travel+Leisure
Other and Odd
Would You Ever Vacation Nude? 'Nacations' Are the Latest Getaway Trend
Last night was crazy. Not in the Las Vegas sense of over-imbibing and forgetting where your hotel room is kind of crazy, but the kind where you go to a toga foam party and everyone ends up naked in a sea of glorious, sudsy, wild debauchery. And that was only the first night I spent at Jamaica’s Hedonism II, a clothing-optional resort situated against the sparkling blue Caribbean…
— NBC News
Residents Flee Forest Fire Near Greek Capital of Athens
Residents fled their homes Monday as a swift-moving fire blazed through a mountainous pine forest west of Athens and churned out smoke that turned the sky orange over the Greek capital. The fire department said 80 firefighters with 40 vehicles were on the scene near the seaside settlement of Kineta, about 50 kilometres (30 miles) from Athens between the capital and Corinth, while seven…
— Vancouver Sun
Today in History
Ulysses S. Grant Dies
Ulysses S. Grant, American Civil War general and the eighteenth President of the United States, died on this date in 1885. Grant was by almost any estimation a brilliant military strategist and his battlefield tactics are studied even today. His record as a president, however, is mixed. He held office during some…
— Travel Research Online
Press Releases of Interest
Collette Celebrates 100 Years With 10% Off on All 2018 Tour Departures
Pawtucket, R.I. (July 16, 2018) – Collette, one of the world’s most renowned global tour operators, continues to celebrate its 100th anniversary by offering 10 percent off all tour departing during the remainder of 2018 when booked between July 18 - 31,…
— Travel Research Online
Editorial Musings
RIP to business cards?
by John Frenaye
Monday July 23, 2018
If you regularl y attend networking events, you likely have a drawer in your desk filled with stacks of business cards.
Last week, several local business owners and I were talking about business cards. Are they dead? Do they still hold a place in the business world?
While other paper-based systems — from rolodexes and desk calendars to typewriters and card catalogues — have landed in the recycling bin, business cards have seemingly survived the paper…
— Travel Research Online
Read the rest of this article »
|
One-to-One Interviews
Susan Shultz-Gelino, Director of Business Development, American Cruise Lines
 Susan Shultz-Gelino is the Director of Business Development for American Cruise Lines. She has been with American Cruise Lines for over 20 years and has worked in Sales and Marketing for over 30 years, beginning her career with the Whirlpool Corporation in Benton Harbor. During her tenure with American Cruise Lines, Susan has led the American Cruise Lines Sales Department to record numbers. Based at the company’s headquarters in Guilford, CT Susan was integral in expanding the company’s sales force with the opening of its Salt Lake City, Utah sales office. She has been expert in developing new sales strategies for the Line’s Travel Agent partners across the country. In 2018, Susan has added several Business Development…
— Travel Research Online
Read the rest of this article »
|
Mike's Morning Missives
Mental Trigger #1: Authority
 It is believed that major purchasing decisions are made emotionally, while being justified logically. If this is true, then it makes sense to probe deeper into a few of the individual elements that help influence the emotional aspects of the buying decision.
I recently heard these influences referred to as “Mental Triggers.” In the next few articles I am going to shed some light on these “triggers.” They have all been validated in my life, and I feel very strongly that they will make sense to…
— 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!
|
Upcoming Training Opportunities
Super Value Tours presents 2019 in Japan, Vietnam and Beyond
Tuesday, July 31, 2018 at 3 pm EDT/12 pm PDT
Join Roy Liao, VP of Product Development, on July 31st for an insight on popular 2019 tour itineraries and dates!
Register Now ➠
DESTINATION: ARGENTINA With Aerolineas Argentinas, Inprotur and Delta Airlines
Monday, July 30, 2018 at 1 pm EDT/10 am PDT
There are many reasons why you should sell Argentina with Aerolineas Argentinas:
Register Now ➠
How To Engage Prospects: Stuart's 15-Step Plan
Friday, July 27, 2018 at 1 pm EDT/10 am PDT
To sell more, engage more. But how do we get people to respond? How do we grow our list and win more sales? Stuart's 15 methods are a fresh approach to radically increasing your success: 5 ways to engage prospects already on your list, 5 ways to engage brand new leads, 5 ways to engage at networking events.
Register Now ➠
Fly Solomon Airlines and Discover a ‘Hidden Gem’ in the South Pacific
Wednesday, July 25, 2018 at 1 pm EDT/10 am PDT
Tucked away in the South Pacific, the Solomon Islands are a little known, unspoiled paradise. The Solomon Islands are an archipelago of almost 1,000 islands, located between Papua New Guinea and Vanuatu – a three hour journey from Australia. These islands are laid-back, welcoming and often surprisingly untouched. Crystal clear waters with an abundance of the world’s most colorful fish, rays, and turtles make it a paradise for diving and snorkeling.
Register Now ➠
Small Group Touring through Europe
Tuesday, July 24, 2018 at 1 pm EDT/10 am PDT
Do you have clients interested in the concept of an escorted tour but no desire to travel long days in a large bus? Look no further! Join us for an informative webinar about Back-Roads Touring Co and give those clients an option they will love! Back-Roads Touring Co, a London based tour company, has specialized in leisurely paced scheduled departures through the UK, Europe, and Asia for the last 28 years. This webinar will cover their touring portfolio, including their newly released 2019 schedules, all the selling features you’ll need to know to sell their destinations, and give a more in depth look into the unique travel experience provided to your clients.
Register Now ➠
|
|
|
Use TRO every day to find travel guides, e-postcards, and other resources you can personalize and send to your clients.
|
TRO Travel Specials
|
|
