|
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
Honeymoon guide: Five Romantic Resorts in Barbados
On the island of Barbados, British reserve blends with Barbadian spice to create a destination with lots of appeal, especially for honeymooners. While there are the requisite palm-fringed beaches and gorgeous sunsets, there’s also funkier delights, such as the Friday night fish fry in Oistins, where locals mingle with visitors to enjoy live music and fresh seafood in a small-town…
— USA Today
Why You Really Should See the Incredible Mountains and Beaches of This Under-visited Part of India
When we arrived in the capital of the Indian state of West Bengal, my family and I were excited to sample some local delicacies. So we immediately went in search of Chinese food. West Bengal is a borderland, abutting three countries on the northeastern edge of India — Bhutan, Nepal, and Bangladesh — and close enough to China that Kolkata has its own Chinatown.…
— Travel+Leisure
Tours and Activities
As Children Head Back to School, Getaway for Grown-Ups
Adults-only vacations for parents appear to be growing in popularity. Expedia recently reported that social media posts about child-free trips doubled in the past year. Travel Leaders Group, which represents 50,000 travel agents in North America, reports an upsurge in adults-only travel — in particular romantic trips, getaways with friends and parents traveling with adult children.…
— New York Times
Step Up: Eight Epic Hikes of the World
Lonely Planet’s new book, Epic Hikes of the World, contains 50 of the best routes suggested by our writers. This selection of eight walks from the book should get you in the mood to lace up those boots and hit a trail, wherever you are. Hikers visiting Torres del Paine often add on an expedition to the national park of Los Glaciares, which offers equally stunning scenery, not to…
— Lonely Planet
Cruise
This 117-night World Cruise Will Set Sail in 2021 and Visit 56 UNESCO World Heritage Sites
If you have nothing planned for the first half of 2021, we’ve come across a cruise that will keep you occupied pretty spectacularly for the first 117 days and nights. Regent Seven Sea Cruises has just announced that its 2021 World Cruise will sail from Miami on January 5. It will visit six continents, 30 countries, 61 ports and 56 Unesco World Heritage sites, and fares begin at US$61,999…
— Lonely Planet
Carnival Cruise Line Offering 2 for 1 Deposits on Future Cruises
Carnival Cruise Line has launched an “Everybody’s Welcome Here and Everybody’s Saving” sale that not only has 2 for 1 deposits on future cruises, but also up to $50 in cruise spending money. Carnival is the world’s most popular cruise line with 26 cruise ships in service. They sail to some of the most popular cruise destination in the world including the Caribbean,…
— Cruise Fever
Transportation
Ryanair Strike: Pilots in Germany to Join Friday's Walkout, Grounding 250 More Flights
Ryanair pilots in Germany, Sweden, Belgium and Ireland have voted to stage a 24-hour strike on Friday 10 August, grounding 396 flights and wrecking the travel plans of around 70,000 passengers. The walkout is part of an ongoing dispute over working conditions, which has already seen pilots who are members of the Irish trade union FORSA stage four separate one-day strikes.…
— The Independent
How to Book a Private First Class Suite on a Budget Airline Right Now
If you’ve ever dreamed about having the opportunity to fly in a luxurious first class or business class seat without paying immensely high prices, this month is your chance to do just that. Travelers taking a flight with budget carrier Norwegian Air will have the opportunity to get a major upgrade when booking premium seats this month. A spokesperson for the airline confirmed…
— Travel+Leisure
Lodging
Decoding Your Airbnb: Adventures in Voyeurism
He met me at the door holding a glass of wine. “Welcome,” he said. “You’re shorter than I thought you’d be.” I didn’t understand how my height was relevant, but in truth, his appearance was not what I’d been expecting either. He bore a striking resemblance to Marlon Brando in “Apocalypse Now” — large, shiny bald head, and wearing a black caftan that…
— New York Times
Glamping: Where to Find Luxurious Camping Around the US
It’s summertime, and the living is easy – when it comes to glamping, anyway. For those of us who enjoy being outdoors and want to camp, only with real beds, en suite bathrooms and running water (for the most part), glamping is the answer, and we’re not alone. Glamping Hub has seen an increase of 300% over the past year in regards to its inventory of properties, as well as a…
— USA Today
Other and Odd
The Latest: Greek Fires Death Toll Stands at 92
Greece’s fire department says the death toll from the country’s deadliest forest fire in decades currently stands at 92, including two unidentified bodies which have not been claimed by relatives. The July 23 fire swept through a seaside resort area northeast of Athens, fanned by gale-force winds that hampered firefighting efforts. Hundreds of homes were destroyed, and…
— Vancouver Sun
New Shopping and Drinking Laws Aussies Need to Know in Hawaii
Heading to Hawaii for a holiday? Bring your photo ID if you plan to purchase alcohol, no matter what your age is. America’s 50th state has just enacted a mandatory law requiring everyone to produce a photo ID showing your date of birth at supermarkets and liquor stores in an effort to curb under age drinking. At the popular Don Quijote supermarket near Honolulu’s…
— Escape
Today in History
The Great Train Robbery
On August 8, 1963, a group of 15 men held up a train at at Bridego Railway Bridge, Ledburn near Mentmore in Buckinghamshire, England. The robbery did not go well. The robbers were misinformed, ill-equipped and more than a little bumbling. A conductor was hit in the head and…
— Travel Research Online
Press Releases of Interest
Pearl Seas Cruises Announces New Catalog & Agent Webinars for Spring 2019 Cuba Cruises
Pearl Seas Cruises is pleased to announce its brand new 2018-2019 cruise catalog, including updated detailed information on the expanded schedule of Spring 2019 dates for the Line’s exceptional 11-night Cuba Cultural Voyages. As well, Pearl Seas will host 15-minute Cuba agent…
— Travel Research Online
Supplier Profile
Taking WINGS with Sky Bird Travel and Tour
 Sky Bird Travel and Tours has provided the travel industry with airline consolidation services for over 40 years. Partnered with over 90 airlines around the world, they strive to offer up savings to the agent that also help the client while dishing out high commissions for agents remains high. They were voted ‘Best Airline Consolidator’ by the Travvy Awards in 2017 and 2018. With 24/7 support for agents across all aspects of travel…
— Travel Research Online
Read the rest of this article »
|
Mike's Morning Missives
Marketing Mistake #5: You Are Not Persistent
 The “Rule of 7” comes to mind whenever I talk about “persistence.” The Rule of 7 states: To make an impact in a stranger’s mind, you must contact them a minimum of seven times in each 18-month period. Most people quit or give up after the first attempt. A majority of those remaining quit after attempt #2. Remaining in the game long enough to make a minimum of seven contacts is the secret.
There is nothing magical about the number seven. You must be careful not to come across as a pest and become a nuisance. By distancing your contacts over time you eliminate much of the chance of “bugging” people, i.e. the 18-month time frame.
As long as you contact them with information they consider useful,…
— 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
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 ➠
|
|
|
Use TRO every day to find travel guides, e-postcards, and other resources you can personalize and send to your clients.
|
TRO Travel Specials
|
|
