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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
Greece Wildfires: Is It Safe to Travel to Greece?
Tourists in southern Greece should keep up to date with the news and follow the advice of local authorities, the Foreign Office has warned after wildfires not far from Athens killed as many as 60. A blaze swept through the resort town of Mati, in the Attica region, an hour from the Greek capital, in some of the worst fires since 2007 when dozens were killed on the southern Peloponnese peninsula.…
— Telegraph (London)
These Are the Top Summer International Destinations, According to American Express Travel
What are the top trending international destinations so far this summer? Istanbul is at the top of the list of 25, but cities all across the world made the cut. From Buenos Aires to Nairobi to Tokyo, travelers this summer are willing to go far and wide. Four Italian cities are also on the list. American Express Travel looked at its booking data to determine which cities had the most year over year growth this…
— USA Today
Tours and Activities
The Best Holidays for People Who Love the Sea
Ah, the romance of the ocean: the rapturous splash of waves on sand, the whisper of a coquettish breeze, the sensual invigoration of a swim. All of us at some time in our lives, have discovered the sea is our ultimate playground. The personal recollections shared by The Telegraph writers over these pages only confirm its boundless seductions. In it, on it, under it, beside it, what would holidays be without the sea?…
— Telegraph (London)
Mayan Ruins and Natural Wonders in Central America, a Bargain Cruise and More
Central America is awash with nature opportunities ranging from rainforests filled with monkeys and exotic birds to crystal clear seas teeming with brightly colored fish and sea rays. It also has a wealth of sites that document the ancient cultures that once ruled these lands. Natural Habitat Adventures has a new land and sea tour — Belize to Tikal: Reefs, Rivers & Maya Ruins — that explores both…
— Chicago Tribune
Cruise
July Route Roundup: Where Cruise Lines Are Adding Sailings
Cruise lines are constantly tweaking their schedules. Sometimes it's just the addition of a single port to a long-established itinerary. Other times it's the rollout of an all-new route. Here, some of the more notable new itinerary announcements from recent weeks. Azamara Club Cruises will offer South Africa voyages in 2020 — a first for the line. The upscale cruise operator plans four 10-night…
— USA Today
They Once Said Small, Luxury Ships Wouldn't Be Profitable. Now They're Building More
In a scene that plays out each evening on cruise ships all over the world, during a recent voyage I popped into a bar for a pre-dinner cocktail. My request was a Jack Daniels on the rocks. How the next scene plays out depends on your choice of ships. If your ship is operated by a budget cruise line or most premium lines, the price of that drink would range from about $8, as measured by a small…
— Miami Herald
Transportation
10 Train Routes in Europe That Are Faster Than Flying
While Europe doesn’t have the caliber of high-speed trains that Asia is known for, the continent certainly has better train travel than the U.S. Train routes in Europe are often affordable and easy, especially when traveling within the Schengen zone. Train travel has plenty of advantages over flying: You’ll arrive right in the city center, the fares are often more affordable, and you won’t have to deal with security…
— USA Today
Ryanair: Pilots to Strike Again on First Friday in August
Pilots employed by Ryanair in Ireland have announced a fourth one-day strike on one of the busiest days of the year. Members of the Irish Airline Pilots’ Association (IALPA) will stop work on Friday 3 August, and have warned that more strikes will follow unless Ryanair’s management “changed tack and negotiated in good faith on the issue of base transfers and related matters”.…
— The Independent
Lodging
Marriott, Airbnb See Opportunity in Selling 'Experiences'
Hotel and home-sharing companies don’t just want to sell you a room anymore. They also want to sell you an experience. Want a “Game of Thrones” walking tour of Dubrovnik, Croatia? Marriott can book it for you. Want to create your own perfume in Paris? Airbnb can help. Online operators like TripAdvisor and Expedia have been booking activities for more than a decade. But Marriott…
— Vancouver Sun
The Top 15 Hotels in New York City
Sure, New York City is a place of grand skyscrapers and even grander ambitions — but it is also a town that lives and dies by its smaller neighborhoods, each with its own personality and charm. And it’s no surprise that our readers’ favorite places to stay in the city are also full of character, just like the various neighborhoods they represent. Every year for our World’s Best Awards survey, T+L…
— Travel+Leisure
Other and Odd
4 Tips for Protecting Your Trip During Hurricane Season
With some parts of the world still recovering from last year’s brutal hurricane season, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration is predicting a slightly-above average stretch this year (through Sept. 1). Planning well in advance for potential disruptions is essential, even if you’re not traveling to a high-risk areas like Florida or the Caribbean, said Justin Tysdal, travel…
— New York Times
Why You Can No Longer Book a Flight From the U.S. to Taiwan
It’s no longer possible to book a ticket from the U.S. to Taiwan — depending on whom you ask. In order to avoid punitive sanctions from China, three major U.S. airlines (American, Delta and United) removed the word “Taiwan” from their websites on Wednesday. The airlines will continue to fly to the capital Taipei airport. Earlier this year, China’s Civil Aviation Administration sent a letter to more…
— Travel+Leisure
Today in History
National Security Act of 1947
In response to the growing tensions with the USSR during the Cold War, on this date U.S. President Harry S. Truman signed the National Security Act into United States law. The Act simultaneously created the Central Intelligence Agency, the Department of Defense, the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and the National Security…
— Travel Research Online
Press Releases of Interest
Expert Cruisers Share Why Small Ships Are Not the Only Thing Different About Windstar
Windstar Cruises has been ranked first for small ships cruising in Panama Canal and Central America by Cruise Critic in their third annual Cruisers’ Choice Destination Awards. Based entirely on consumer ratings and cruise reviews, the awards name the world’s most popular cruise destinations and new for 2018…
— Travel Research Online
Departures
The Waters of Akumal with Sirenis Hotels & Resorts
 On the eastern tip of the Yucatan Peninsula lies Akumal, a small resort town that is famous for its white-sand beaches. It is surrounded by multiple bays of warm blue-green water; perfect for snorkeling, diving, and leisurely swims. A postcard paradise that fits all the desires of the traveler looking to get away from the stresses of life. Thanks to Sirenis Hotels & Resorts, you’ll learn all about this beautiful destination and the historic sites surrounding…
— Travel Research Online
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Luxury Travel Tips
What does Football and Sales Have in Common?
by Dan Chappelle
Thursday July 26, 2018
With football s eason just around the corner, I am reminded of the beautiful, yet brutal, game I played in my youth. I loved the game and while my career ended after high school, I can’t wait for each new season and my beloved University of Georgia Bulldogs to take the field. It is a sight to see. Every play, be it offensive or defensive, is carefully orchestrated, choreographed, and practiced to perfection.
Sales is similar, which is why you'll often find sports analogies intertwined with business lessons. In both environments, a team is executing strategies that have been thought out and rehearsed. Above all – they are both contact sports, each in their own way.
In business, “contact” can mean three things. The first “contacts” can be…
— Travel Research Online
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Mike's Morning Missives
Mental Trigger #4: Anticipation
 Anticipation is a mental trigger that also influences and supports the buying decision. I suppose the perfect examples of “anticipation” involve Christmas, summer vacations, and even certain birthdays or anniversary celebrations. Now that I think of it, I suppose the granddaddy of them all is your retirement party. (I cannot readily identify with this group since I am one of the fortunate ones who is planning on working for many years to come, regardless of age. But that is just me.)
It has been my experience that the majority of employees begin counting the weeks, days, hours, and minutes to their retirement party at about the age of 40. (Some begin the countdown while stepping down from the stage having received their college or high school…
— 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
The Best Kept Secret in River Cruising
Tuesday, August 7, 2018 at 1 pm EDT/10 am PDT
You’re invited to come learn about the Best Kept Secret in River Cruising with The SCENIC Group and Travel Research Online! In this session we’ll hear a bit of backstory of this amazing organization, how it’s grown to such incredible size with their diverse offerings no matter the type of client, and hear secrets culled from top-producing travel professionals of ways they’ve been Successful with SCENIC! The SCENIC Group owns SCENIC Luxury Cruises, SCENIC Eclipse, and Emerald Waterways. This webinar will focus primarily on the Luxury Brands of the company’s river and ocean going ships.
Register Now ➠
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 ➠
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