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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
36 Hours in Istria
Truffle aficionados aren’t the only ones who will appreciate this food lover’s paradise in northern Croatia. Ancient hill towns, craggy shorelines and a rich history are only a few of the peninsula’s other attractions. Spend enough time on this verdant peninsula and someone will tell you: “I have a friend here who has lived in four different countries and never moved.” A 100-year-old…
— New York Times
This Is the Hottest Travel Destination for Seniors Right Now
Unencumbered by work and kids, many retirees are upping their travel game. An analysis by Priceline found that boomers book the longest average length of stay on their vacations, relative to other age groups, and spend significantly more on flights and hotels than younger travelers. “Baby boomers are active travelers,” says Kevin O’Leary, senior analyst at Priceline, via…
— Time
Tours and Activities
Photography Tours Can Up Your Social Media Game
Have you dreamed of returning home from a trip with photos you would be proud to hang above the sofa? The ones that would make your social media followers wish they were you? If you’re disappointed with your travel photos, you’re in good company. Many of us have experienced a post-vacation letdown when what’s on our memory card fails to meet…
— LA Times
New Adults-only Tour Operator Launches for "Sexual Adventurists"
A new adults-only tour operator has launched in the UK, offering holidays and cruises for the more adventurous traveller. Temptation Holidays offers trips to boutique resorts in Cancun, Mexico, as well as European and Caribbean cruises for over-21s. Some resorts come equipped with playrooms for “sexual adventurists”. The tour operator follows another adults-only…
— The Independent
Cruise
Inside the Carnival Cruise Line Ships That Made Cruising History
Nostalgic for the early days of cruising? Our latest Cruise Ship Tour, in the carousel above, looks back at cruise giant Carnival's first three vessels — Mardi Gras, Carnivale and Festivale. Originally built in Britain as ocean liners and converted by Carnival into floating fun zones, the now-legendary ships helped revolutionize the cruise industry in the 1970s and put Carnival on…
— USA Today
Repositioning Means Cruises on the Cheap
It’s August, and that means that we’re coming to the close of the 2018 Alaska cruise season in Vancouver. But there is reason to rejoice: the end of the season means the start of the fall Pacific Coastal cruises, when ships reposition from Alaska back down to Mexico, the Caribbean and Asia. In order to get the ships from here to the sun destinations, cruise lines offer what…
— Vancouver Sun
Transportation
How Southwest Airlines' New Rules for Service and Support Animals Differ From Other U.S. Carriers
Southwest Airlines on Tuesday issued a new policy to go into effect Sept. 17 regarding service and emotional support animals on flights. The airline’s new rules narrow emotional support animals to cats and dogs only, impose a limit of one animal per passenger, and require passengers to keep them on a leash or in a carrier at all times. But unlike other airlines, Southwest…
— LA Times
The Oldest Airlines in the World That Are Still Flying Today
Not so long after the Wright brothers’ first flight on the beaches of Kitty Hawk in 1903, commercial airlines began forming around the world. The very first would be over 100 years old now — if they were still around. However, there are some airlines still flying today that are well into their 90s and going strong. Pinpointing which airlines are among the world’s oldest is a…
— Travel+Leisure
Lodging
The Best Palazzo Hotels in Italy
Hundred of years ago, Italy's palazzos were home to members of the Italian nobility; today, more and more of these impressive palatial buildings have been transformed into romantic hotels that certainly make for an atmospheric place to bed down. Many have preserved original features and decorations – think precious antiques, detailed ceiling frescoes, decorative…
— Telegraph (London)
Universal Orlando's Sleek, High-tech Aventura Hotel Debuts
The grand opening of the high-tech Aventura hotel this week will touch off a two-year run during which Universal Orlando Resorts will expand the number of rooms it has in Central Florida by more than 60 percent. The theme park giant is steeped in battle with Walt Disney World and Central Florida hotel companies for a piece of a fast-growing tourism industry, one that saw…
— Sun Sentinel
Other and Odd
Paris Installs Completely Exposed Urinals Near Popular Tourist Spots
Tourists visiting Paris’ Notre Dame Cathedral and River Seine might see more than they came for as public, exposed urinals are now available for use across the city. The bright red “uritrottoirs” are meant as an eco-friendly solution to public peeing. The receptacles look like a planter at first glance, with greenery filling the top. But a sign directs eyes down to the side of the…
— USA Today
Private Jet Provider Reveals Its Most Bizarre Client Requests
The weirdest and most wonderful private jet requests have been revealed by NetJets, a private aviation company serving ultra-high net worth customers. Many of the high-flying requests have involved animals, supporting the theory that a man’s best friend really is his dog. One passenger flying intercontinentally from Europe to America with his furry companion requested…
— The Independent
Today in History
Sports Illustrated
On this day in 1964, Sports Illustrated published its first issue. The cover featured Milwaukee Braves player Eddie Mathews at bat and New York Giants catcher Wes Westrum in Milwaukee County Stadium. Today, the magazine has over 3 million subscribers. It's infamous swimsuit issue likewise began publishing in 1964 and is an annual publishing…
— Travel Research Online
Press Releases of Interest
SOUTH AFRICAN AIRWAYS AWARDED “FAVORITE AIRLINE IN AFRICA” BY TRAZEE TRAVEL’S MILLENNIAL READERS
Fort Lauderdale, FL (August 15, 2018) – Trazee Travel, a unique interactive web-based publication for millennial travelers has named South African Airways (SAA), the national flag carrier of South Africa as the “Favorite Airline in Africa” for the fourth consecutive year. South African Airways was honored with the accolade at the annual The Trazee awards event hosted by Global Traveler…
— Travel Research Online
TRO SMITH
5 Savvy Ways to Use Social Ads
by Joseph DeLoach
Thursday August 16, 2018
Do you get tire d of scrolling thru your social feeds and only seeing ads that shout “Save Money”?
Are you bored with ads that beseech you to “Buy Now”
What if your own ads could stand out by NOT saying any of those oh-so-common…
— Travel Research Online
Read the rest of this article »
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Mike's Morning Missives
Marketing Mistake #11: You Don’t Seek to “Upgrade” Your Buyers
 Upgrade is in quotes because I don’t necessarily endorse the concept of “up-selling.” I do, however, endorse the practice of “selling right.” And if “right” happens to be “up,” I say go for it. I also am quick to suggest the practice of “selling down”, if it is the right thing to do.
Let me try to drive this point home with a simple example that I am quite sure you are about to agree with.
Example: I enter the Macy’s Department Store in search for a patio set. I see one that satisfies all of my requirements. I ask the salesperson the price and it sounds fair enough. I am preparing to pay for my purchase when the sales pro asks, “When do you need the…
— Travel Research Online
Read the rest of this article »
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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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Use TRO every day to find travel guides, e-postcards, and other resources you can personalize and send to your clients.
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