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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
Has Tourism Killed Venice? We Visited During the Busiest Month of the Year to Find Out
Venice is ruined. At least you'd be forgiven for thinking that if you have been following the news in recent months. Barely a week goes by without another overtourism story emerging from the Lagoon. Ealier this year the city mayor Luigi Brugnaro proposed a cap on day-trippers. Over Easter, controversial crowd-control gates were installed at pinch-points to distribute…
— Telegraph (London)
The Friendliest Cities in the World
For years, we've asked our readers to rate a city's "friendliness" in the Readers’ Choice Awards survey, focusing on where you felt welcome. Did an outgoing local show you the way? Was the city easy to navigate? Hundreds of thousands of readers took the survey this year: If there's something to Southern hospitality, well, it seems like Australia's about as far south as you…
— Conde Nast Traveler
Tours and Activities
Ghost Towns of Tuscany: Scenic Splendor Frozen in Time
It’s easy to miss the ancient Tuscan town of Sommocolonia, Italy. Perched on the spine of a high ridge amid a wild expanse of canyons, ravines and chestnut forests 38 miles north of Pisa, there are no restaurants, inns or cafes there. Nor are there any banks, grocery stores, pharmacies or things that really make a town a town. The stone settlement isn’t included on most local…
— USA Today
Dazzling Places to See Sunsets Around the World
No matter what time it is, there's someone in the world right now watching a sunset. This golden hour is perhaps our most universally adored sky show, yet it dazzles in so many different ways across the face of the planet. A sunset over the tundra appears quite different from one highlighting the shoreline of a lake, while cloud patterns, air quality, weather, and seasons…
— National Geographic
Cruise
Ocean-going Crystal Cruises Slides Smoothly Into the Luxury Niche on Europe's Rivers
We were new passengers, my wife and I, when we boarded the Crystal Bach, docked at Mainz, Germany, on the River Rhine near Frankfurt. As we walked into the Palm Court lounge, fellow passengers made no secret of their curiosity. Most of them were at the midpoint of a two-week cruise from Amsterdam. Warm and friendly, they acted as if we were new members of their private…
— Miami Herald
Win at Selling the Caribbean
The stunning Caribbean features some of the world’s most picturesque destinations. Guests can visit the volcanoes of St. Kitts, take a dip in the blue rock pools in Aruba, dive shipwrecks in Grand Cayman or explore the majestic Hato Caves in Curaçao. A relatively new addition to some Caribbean itineraries is Havana, Cuba. Royal Caribbean takes their guests deeper than any other…
— Cruise Trade News
Transportation
This Is the Best Airport Food, According to Pilots
Pilots and flight attendants are more familiar with the ins and outs of travel than almost anyone else. And, after chatting with a number of pilots and flight attendants about what they eat while flying, we decided to query them on the world’s best airports for dining. Below, six pilots share their favorite food-focused airports, and where they refuel. I spent the last six years flying as…
— Time
Airline Rule Change Allows Miniature Horses on Board as 'Service Animals'
Southwest Airlines announced those trained to support individuals with a disability will be allowed to fly. The company say "service animals must be trained to behave in a public setting and must be under the control of the handler at all times". The U.S. airline also announced it would limit emotional support animals to only dogs and cats on its flights and will allow one per…
— The Sun
Lodging
The Best Chateau Hotels in France
If you've ever fancied being king or queen of your very own castle - here are 15 chateau hotels in France where you can do just that. Featuring regal interiors, turreted rooms, pools with vineyard views, Michelin-starred dining and more - in locations including the Dordogne, Provence and Normandy. This creamy stone chateau has smoky-blue shutters; traditional, pitched…
— Telegraph (London)
'We Want to Be Regulated,' Airbnb Tells Liberals in Federal Budget Proposal
One of the world’s largest short-term rental websites is inviting the Trudeau Liberals to create a regulatory regime for the burgeoning industry — something its critics have long advocated and raising pressure on the government to set rules in the market. Airbnb’s budget proposal to the House of Commons finance committee asks the federal Liberals to avoid forcing “old and outdated rules”…
— Vancouver Sun
Other and Odd
In Paris, a Pastry Renaissance is Underway
Blame it on the religieuse pastry, two stacked, chocolate cream-filled puffs that sent me to patisserie nirvana the first week of my long-ago junior year in Paris. When you’re used to Twinkies, that kind of experience is, indeed, a revelation. After marrying a
lemon-tart-loving Frenchman and producing a daughter (vanilla macaron) and son (coffee eclair) who share my…
— The Washington Post
A Walking Tour Discovered a Secret Section of the Berlin Wall 29 Years After Its Fall
A 65-foot section of the Berlin Wall was accidentally discovered earlier this summer by a group of people on a walking tour. This week, Berlin gave the newly discovered section status as a protected piece of history to coincide with the the 57th anniversary of the wall’s construction. In June, Ephraim Gothe, a local politician, set out on a walking tour with a group of constituents.…
— Travel+Leisure
Today in History
Pike Place Market Opens
The local farmers around Seattle were not happy. Because of the distance into town and the difficult requirements of city government, most were forced to sell their produce on consignment through the wholesalers in town. As a result, they made little of the final profit on the food they brought to town.…
— Travel Research Online
Agent Perspectives
Fairy Tales, Christmas Markets and Ghostly Goings On
by Paull Tickner
Friday August 17, 2018
A recent headli ne in our national newspapers about long delays at London Heathrow reminded me, to remind you, about the growing number of non-stop flights to Manchester, England’s northern gateway. Check your listings because for 2019 there are non-stop flights to Manchester from Los Angeles, Boston, Atlanta, Chicago, Newark, JFK, Las Vegas, Orlando, Miami and Philadelphia.
The short lines at Manchester Airport’s Immigration provide airside, curbside access in 40 minutes speeding up entry to Britain at any time of the year and providing fast access to Scotland, North Wales, the North of England, the Lake District, and the great heritage cities of York and Chester.
Turn this to your advantage this winter by combining off-season, lower cost flights and rapid UK entry with some of our festive…
— Travel Research Online
Read the rest of this article »
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Deck Plans
Princess Cruises Presents New Drink Menus
Princess Cruise s has revealed the line’s new beverage menus, featuring globally inspired cocktail offerings created by mixologist Rob Floyd. In addition to the new cocktails, the line has added 20 spirits, 39 wines by the glass, and 17 international and craft beers to the new menu.
“As part of our continued commitment to the guest experience, we are thrilled to debut new menus throughout the bars and lounges aboard Princess ships,” said Mario Siebaldi, senior vice president of guest operations for Princess Cruises. “Broadening the scope of our beverage options by partnering with notable industry leaders like Rob Floyd on globally inspired cocktails, as well as increasing our selection of…
— Travel Research Online
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Mike's Morning Missives
Marketing Mistake #12: You Are Not Ready to Sell When Your Prospects Are Ready to Buy
 This mistake has to do with “clock watchers.” Who ever said that the world had to dance to the beat of your personal drum? Who said the magic hours to make a living today are between the hours of nine and five? Not me.
In fact, other than business travel, 9-5 is probably the worst hours one could keep in today’s 24/7 world (I hate that term, but that is what it’s called).
I remember having a consulting job a few years back for a travel agency and I arrived at the brick and mortar store at 8:51 am. I was pleasantly greeted by one of the staff and offered a cup of coffee. That is when the phone rang. And rang. And…
— Travel Research Online
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Soundings
Royal Caribbean Bans Emotional Support Animals
by Susan Schaefer
Friday August 17, 2018
Did you see the story back in January about the peacock emotional support animal? A woman tried claiming her peacock was an emotional support animal, and she was denied boarding by United Airlines. If you didn’t see the story you can read about it here. It is not a surprise that the peacock incident led to United Airlines changing their policy about emotional support animals.
There have been other over the top stories in the industry about people trying to take all sorts of animals on planes, cruise ships, and into hotels under the guise of the pet being an emotional support animal. And it has to stop.
In the cruise industry, Royal Caribbean announced this week that they are banning ALL emotional support animals moving…
— 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
How to Attract Affluent Clients
Thursday, August 30, 2018 at 3 pm EDT/12 pm PDT
The big mystery to many agents is how to attract luxury and affluent clients. In this session I will share several proven strategies to attract your ideal luxury client.
Register Now ➠
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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