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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
30 Places to Visit Before They're Gone Forever
While dangers to the world’s most beloved destinations used to merely include erosion and climate change, there are innumerable factors that play a part in the destruction of a historical or natural site—a prime example being war. In 2013, the Minaret of the Great Mosque of Aleppo in Syria was reduced to rubble during the Syrian Civil War when the building took on…
— Architectural Digest
The 52 Places Traveler: In Spain, Wine, Tapas and a Surprising Sense of Comfort
All it took was crossing a bridge after dark. Throughout the day, as the July sun and 95-degree temperatures bore down on Seville, I had wondered where all the nontourists were. That evening, I found my answer in Triana, a working-class barrio, drinking tinto de verano (red wine mixed with lemon soda) amid a sea of revelers. For centuries, Triana was its own city, best…
— New York Times
Tours and Activities
Some of the Best Things to Do in Key West Are Free
ate summer and early fall bring the lowest room rates to Key West. Yes, it’s the peak of hurricane season, but for budget travelers, this is also bargain season. To make your travel dollars stretch even further, take advantage of the many free things to do in Key West. You don’t have to drop $15 or $20 for admission to have a memorable Key West…
— Sun Sentinel
On a Budget Safari, the Luxury is in the wildlife
Bill, an Australian traveler in Zimbabwe, stood in the velvet-caped darkness and listened. I planted myself next to him and sucked in my breath, not wanting the smallest leak of air to disturb the quiet. And then we waited for it, the low growl that would confirm our suspicions: A lion had crashed our campsite. After hearing the noise again, I grabbed our guide from the…
— The Washington Post
Cruise
Photo Tour: Inside Pacific Provider, One of the World's Smallest Cruise Vessels
Are you the type of cruiser who just can't stand a crowd? Our latest Cruise Ship Tour, in the carousel above, offers a deck-by-deck look at what just may be the least-crowded cruise vessel on the world's oceans, Offshore Outpost Expeditions' Pacific Provider. Specializing in intimate, outdoorsy getaways in the Sea of Cortez and Alaska, the 163-foot-long "expedition yacht"…
— USA Today
For These Billionaires, It’s All About Cruise Fleets
It was a cold and cloudy July day in Reykjavik, and French arts patron Maryvonne Pinault was at a pier fulfilling her godmother duties for Le Laperouse, the first of six 184-passenger, upscale expedition yachts from her husband’s Marseilles-based cruise line Compagnie du Ponant. French billionaire and Kering SA chairman Francois Pinault wasn’t there to watch his wife smash a bottle…
— Bloomberg
Transportation
American Airlines Adds Tokyo-Las Vegas Nonstops, But Only for 11 days
American Airlines announced plans to fly nonstop between Las Vegas and Tokyo Narita, but there’s a catch: The route will last just 11 days and cause a short-term change to American’s existing Tokyo service from Chicago. The Las Vegas-Tokyo nonstops, which start Jan. 4 and run through Jan. 14, coincide with the 2019 CES consumer electronics show – one of Las Vegas’ top…
— USA Today
Congress Weighs Airline Bill that Affects Leg Room, Seat Size and More
As summer vacationers start to pack up and head home, Congress is considering a sweeping tally of proposals that could affect travelers, from dictating seat size and legroom to rolling back rules that require airlines to advertise the full price of a ticket. The current law authorizing operations of the Federal Aviation Administration expires on Sept. 30. Sen. John Thune, R-South…
— Chicago Tribune
Lodging
14 Airbnbs T+L Editors Would Book Again in a Heartbeat
It’s safe to say that here at Travel + Leisure, our editors know a thing or two about travel. Whether it be the latest and greatest carry-on essentials, the year's top destinations, or even where to find the best hot dog in every state — we're a selective bunch when it comes to anything related to trip-taking. So believe us when we say these are the best Airbnb properties we’ve ever…
— Travel+Leisure
Why Trash Cans Are a Vanishing Breed in Hotel Rooms
What happened to all the trash cans? They're disappearing from some hotel rooms lately. Guests such as Jon Martin want to know why. "There seem to be fewer and fewer trash cans in rooms," says Martin. He contacted me while staying at a DoubleTree property in downtown Atlanta to report an absence. "The only trash bin in the entire room is in the bathroom," he says. "Is this a…
— Dallas News
Other and Odd
How to Avoid Crowds When You Travel This Summer
If you like to avoid crowds when you travel, this probably is your least favorite time of the year. Long lines greet you at the airport, in the hotel lobby and at your favorite restaurant. The beach is so crowded that you can't even find a place to drop a towel. Everyone's on vacation. That's not your imagination, by the way. Almost half of all summer vacations happen this…
— USA Today
A French Village Committed to Deception
Through an extraordinary campaign of non-violent resistance during World War II, residents of Le Chambon-sur-Lignon saved thousands of Jews from deportation and almost certain death. On a wind-scoured plateau in France’s Haute-Loire department stands a village teeming with secrets. Through an extraordinary campaign of nonviolent resistance during World War II, the…
— BBC Travel
Today in History
The Purple Heart
On August 7, 1782, General George Washington issued orders to the Continental Army creating the Badge of Military Merit, later better known as "The Purple Heart" . Designed by Washington himself, the medal was intended for soldiers wounded in battle. As such, it is one of the first honors to be…
— Travel Research Online
Press Releases of Interest
Windstar AnnouncesVeteran Travel and Luxury Marketer Mary Beth Wressell as Vice President of Marketing and Public Relations
Windstar Cruises is pleased to announce the hiring of Mary Beth Wressell as the small ship cruise company’s new Vice President of Marketing and Public Relations, where she will oversee brand communications, digital marketing, customer relationship marketing, partnerships, and public…
— Travel Research Online
60-Second Geography
Beautiful Buenos Aires with ShoreTrips
by Joseph DeLoach
Tuesday August 07, 2018
Buenos  Aires is a city made from the cultures and histories of other cities. It is a melting pot of regions, a blending of history and lineage from other places. Buenos Aires is not a city to skip on your travel list, and thanks to ShoreTrips, the supplier sponsor of this article, you won't have to.
— Travel Research Online
Read the rest of this article »
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Outposts
Dazzling Douro Valley with Back-Roads Touring
by Joseph DeLoach
Tuesday August 07, 2018
The Douro Valle y, also known as the Alto Douro Wine Region, lies northeast of Porto, Portugal. It is a fertile and mountainous region along the Douro River, which runs through Spain and Portugal. The valley is winding, with terraced fields of grapes covering its elevated sides that decline straight into the Douro River. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is a great place to sip a bit of wine and enjoy vistas with a panoramic views of lush mountainscapes.
Douro Valley is subdivided into three subregions: Baixo Corgo, Cima Corgo, and Douro Superior. Each subregion has its own slight variation of the Mediterranean climate prevalent throughout the area. These areas are known for producing Port wine but produce just…
— Travel Research Online
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Mike's Morning Missives
Marketing Mistake #4: You Have No Marketing Plan
 I don’t want you to jump ship on this one. Very few people in business today have a marketing plan. Most well-intentioned folks have a “wing-it” plan. They have a “we try harder” plan. They have an “I’m a nice person so I deserve success” plan, and they all call them Marketing Plans. No such luck!
The reason they don’t have a plan is because in order to have a marketing plan, they must know what “marketing” is, or means, and how it works. They don’t.
This does not make them bad people. It does make them struggling people in need for some degree of…
— 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
Small Group Touring through Europe
Thursday, August 23, 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 ➠
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