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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
The South Pacific Tourists Rarely See
It’s 250 years since James Cook launched the first of three Pacific voyages in 1768 aboard HMS Endeavour. He didn’t set foot on the Cook Islands until 1773 but what he did record throughout, besides unflattering observations of the natives, was a South Pacific idyll of swaying palms and turquoise lagoons. Yet the paradise he first set eyes upon has come under threat in…
— Telegraph (London)
Paris in the Fall
This perennial champ, having had its thunder taken by cities like London and Tokyo, now is back with a vengeance with a crop of pilgrimage-worthy restaurants, top-to-bottom overhauls of the world's most iconic hotels, and the elevation of the concept store. And you still can't turn a corner without running into a Rodin.…
— Conde Nast Traveler
Tours and Activities
Business Owners, Visitors Rejoice as Yosemite Reopens
The 20-day closure during peak tourist season at one of the busiest parks in the U.S. cost Shaw $200,000 in lost revenue at his 120-person hotel just outside Yosemite. Most of the park is set to reopen Tuesday. The nearly three-week closure was the result of a massive wildfire that has burned 150 square miles (389 sq. kilometres) and killed two firefighters since it started July…
— Vancouver Sun
Disney: Complete Eat to the Beat Concert Lineup Set for Epcot
All those TBAs have been filled in for the Eat to the Beat concert series, part of the Epcot International Food & Wine Festival, which kicks off at the end of this month at Walt Disney World. Of the record-setting 32 artists, Disney lists nine as “new,” as in new to Eat to the Beat. They include Mercy Me, Glass Tiger, Tauren Wells, Vertical Horizon and Sheila E in September, Jim…
— Sun Sentinel
Cruise
Carnival Cruise Line's Three Newest Cruise Ships Headed to New Homeports
Carnival Cruise Line is shuffling a few of their ships as their three newest cruise ships are relocating to new homeports next month. Carnival Horizon, Carnival Vista, and Carnival Breeze will all be sailing from new homeports in September. Here is a rundown of where each cruise ship will be sailing from and the cruises that will be offered on each vessel. Carnival…
— Cruise Fever
Photo Tour: Cruise Ship Pool Decks That Will Blow Your Mind
Looking for some deck-top fun on your next cruise? Our latest Cruise Ship Tour, in the carousel above, offers our picks for the vessels with the most spectacular pool decks. As can be seen in the tour, pool decks on cruise ships are getting ever more elaborate, with everything from pool-side movie theaters to outdoor bars and lounges, casual dining venues and even private…
— USA Today
Transportation
Frontier Adds Two Florida Airports in 11-route Expansion
Frontier Airlines is adding the Florida city of Sarasota to its route map as part of a broader 11-route expansion that also will return the carrier to Fort Lauderdale. Frontier’s flights from Sarasota (airport code SRQ) begin Dec. 10, when the “ultra-low-cost carrier” begins twice-weekly seasonal service to Cleveland (CLE). “This announcement brings the first nonstop service to…
— USA Today
Seattle Airplane Theft Prompts Review of Security Measures
The spectacular theft of a 76-seat plane from the Seattle airport by a ground crew employee is prompting an industrywide review of how to thwart such insider security threats, though it remains unclear what steps airlines might take. "This is too big a deal. It's not going to go away," said Glen Winn, a former Secret Service agent who teaches in the University of Southern…
— NOLA.com
Lodging
The Secrets to Being a Great Hotel Guest
Travelers often expect a whole host of accommodations and amenities during their stay at a hotel. But it’s as much on the guest as it is hotel employees to foster a pleasant experience. In most cases, “if you come at hotel people with a really positive attitude, you’re going to get an overwhelmingly positive response,” says Adam Sperling, general manager of Hotel…
— Time
Explore the Chicest Coworking Spaces in the World's Top Hotels
As workers become increasingly mobile, cool coworking spaces have sprung up across the world, each upping the ante on amenities and design. And the hotels aren't just paying attention; they're one-upping those dedicated workspaces by opening up their public areas to creative locals. Sheraton, which is currently undergoing a brand-wide transformation, is going all in by…
— Architectural Digest
Other and Odd
Open and Shut Case: Why the Package Holiday is Back
he last time I went on a package holiday France had just won the World Cup. It was 1998, the peak of the package’s popularity, and my mates and I celebrated the end of our exams with a week in Magaluf. We had a brilliant time but it wasn’t an experience I’ve ever felt the need to repeat – until now. Twenty years on, France have won the World Cup once again…
— The Guardian
5 Easy Ways to Eliminate Plastic From Your Travels
No matter how good travel may be for the soul, it's not always great for the environment. According to The New York Times, a “round-trip flight from New York to San Francisco emits about 0.9 metric tons of carbon dioxide per person.” That works out to about one-eighteenth the average American’s carbon emissions per year. When you’re traveling long distances, it’s very difficult…
— Travel+Leisure
Today in History
Social Security Act
On August 14, 1935, President Roosevelt signed the Social Security Act to provide a government pension system for the retired. The program is funded with payroll taxes known as Federal Insurance Contributions Act (FICA). Outside of the spending for the U.S. military, the Social…
— Travel Research Online
60-Second Geography
Torres del Pain with Marnella Tours
b y Joseph DeLoach
Tuesday August 14, 2018
The Torres del Paine National Park (Parque Nacional Torres del Paine) is South America’s most impressive national park. Within its borders are mountains, glaciers, lakes, and rivers. It was voted as the fifth most beautiful place in the world by National Geographic. A natural wonder that shouldn’t be missed, Marnella Tours wants you to know why the traveler should not miss…
— Travel Research Online
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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 #9: You Fail to Connect with Your Prospects and Customers Often Enough
 We are circling back to the Rule of 7: Repetition is the key to learning.
Contacting your prospects regularly is the key. The rule suggested a minimum of seven contacts in each 18-month period.
Did you know it has been said that the average consumer needs to hear a commercial 17 times before making a “buying” decision? Yet, many marketers miss the boat when it comes to follow-up. At times, I too have been guilty of not following up with leads or staying in contact with my customers (And I know better). It is critical that you keep in contact with your customers and follow up with your…
— Travel Research Online
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Independent Consultant
Wealthy...Not Stupid
by Anita Pagliasso
Tuesday July 24, 2018
I recently spot ted a billboard along the freeway that said “Just because I was born rich doesn’t mean I’m stupid.” This statement really struck a chord with me as I thought back 10 years ago to when I made the decision to move across town to an area that, in the past, had been less than desirable. Back then this section of town was comprised mostly of low income housing that was surrounded by undeveloped rolling hills and rural farm land.
A smart developer with a vision purchased a large amount of acreage in the hills with the intent to develop a gated community that would surround a new golf course. It took just one visit to the development, and I knew instantly this had much…
— 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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