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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
Montenegro, a Primer
When planning a family trip to Montenegro last spring, I found myself telling perplexed friends who knew next to nothing about the Balkan country: “Imagine yourself in Venice, sail down the Adriatic coast, look east and stop before you reach Albania.” But since President Trump described the country, in a Fox News interview in July, as likely to trigger World War III…
— New York Times
Why More People Are Visiting Denmark Than Ever Before
Denmark is preparing to welcome a record number of tourists this year. And, despite warnings of overtourism, the country has no plans to slow down. Within three years, Denmark is expected to have enough hotel beds to accommodate up to 10 million tourists, almost twice the country’s population, according to the Chamber of Commerce. Earlier this year, Denmark came in…
— Travel+Leisure
Tours and Activities
OpenTable Rates the 100 Most Scenic Restaurants in the USA
Dining out is all about the food but a stunning view can elevate the experience. OpenTable, a provider of online restaurant reservations, has compiled a list of the 100 most scenic restaurants in the USA. The company, part of Booking Holdings Inc., generated the list from more than 12 million verified OpenTable diner reviews. The scenic restaurants are located in 25 states and Washington,…
— USA Today
10 Caves to Explore in National Parks
With summer’s heat bearing down, thoughts tend to drift beachward – or northward. But many wise travelers are planning their explorations to go down – underground, that is. There are more than 4,700 caves in our national parks that can give you refuge from that relentless sun. Some of those caves are among the world’s most spectacular; four of the world’s longest…
— USA Today
Cruise
Dr. Seuss Inspired Young Cruisers on Carnival Ships to Read 213 Million Words This Summer
Los Angeles Dodger Enrique “Kiké” Hernandez knows how to get a kid's attention. On the baseball field, he does what comes naturally. Off the field, he grabs a good book and starts reading aloud. At a recent Long Beach event, Hernandez plopped Dr. Seuss’ signature striped hat on his head and gave an energetic reading of the new Dr. Seuss book “What Pet Should I…
— LA Times
These Cruise Lines Want You To Get Off The Ship
It seems like most of the time, the news about cruising is about the ship, as in onboard race tracks, ice rinks, laser tag, basketball courts, water sports decks and an array of specialty restaurants; things designed to keep you onboard. However, that’s not necessarily true. In fact, for many lines, the emphasis is now on the destination. The idea of steaming into port in…
— Forbes
Transportation
Zambia is Relaunching its National Airline
Two decades after it collapsed, Zambia Airways is taking off again. The former international airline, which flew to New York, Cyprus and Mumbai as well as 18 regional destinations before collapsing in 1994 due to debt, announced today that it will start flights in and out of Zambia's capital, Lusaka, starting in January 2019. The airline, which ran up a huge debt during its thirty…
— Conde Nast Traveler
Why Delta Is Adding New Seatback Screens While Other Airlines Get Rid of Them
In an era when it seems like perks are constantly disappearing from planes, there is some existential reassurance when an airline decides to keep a staple of the cabin experience. In a press release last week, Delta Air Lines announced that it had installed a seatback entertainment system on its 600th aircraft. Delta now says it has more aircraft with seatback screens than any other airline in the…
— Travel+Leisure
Lodging
It Just Got Easier to Earn Free Nights at Marriott, Ritz-Carlton, and Starwood Hotels
It's a done deal: Travelers who’d been in the Starwood Preferred Guest and Ritz-Carlton Rewards loyalty programs are now Marriott Rewards members. The world’s biggest hotel brand wrapped the long-promised combination the three programs today after setting an August 18 deadline for the cutover. “The programs now operate under one set of unified benefits and one…
— Conde Nast Traveler
3 Newly Renovated Historic Hotels Celebrate L.A.'s Eclectic Past
When it comes to culture, Los Angeles is often erroneously accused of having close to none—“I don't want to move to a city where the only cultural advantage is being able to make a right turn on a red light” goes the famous putdown in Annie Hall. But a recent surge in the redevelopment of historic neighborhoods like Hollywood, South Park, and Westlake has put the city’s…
— Vogue
Other and Odd
Disney fans: It's Not Too Early For Not-So-Scary Halloween Party
Go ahead, let it out. Everyone wants to say it: “Halloween? It’s only August.” And yet here we are, the beginning of Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party season at Walt Disney World. The after-hours, extra-ticket event at Magic Kingdom kicked off during a heat wave last week. Why would Disney start so early, one asks? Asked and answered: The first night was a sell-out.…
— Sun Sentinel
Air Travel Isn't Getting Worse, but Passengers Are Less Satisfied
Airline passengers hate flying more than ever before — but nothing has really changed about it. The results from the new UK Aviation Consumer Survey revealed that fewer passengers are satisfied with the quality of service onboard flights, but very few people believe that air travel is getting worse. Perhaps it’s a twist on an old adage: The more things stay the same, the more dissatisfaction we…
— Travel+Leisure
Today in History
The founding of the Red Cross
In 1864, the Swiss government invited the governments of Europe and the United States to a diplomatic conference in Geneva. On August 22, 1864, that group of nations adopted the first Geneva Convention "for the Amelioration of the Condition of the Wounded in Armies in the Field".…
— Travel Research Online
Point-to-Point
Using MeetUp to Grow a Travel Tribe
by Melissa Mackey
Wednesday August 22, 2018
Lately, I have  been using the power of social media to expand my reach, grow my community, and attract new clients with a powerful tool: MeetUp. Many agents out there have expressed interest in this. This does three things for you:
- Builds your expert authority &…
— Travel Research Online
Read the rest of this article »
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Supplier Profile
Care and Comfort with EgyptAir
 EgyptAir was the first airline Middle East and Africa, starting operations in 1932. Though they may have been the first, but their fleet shows otherwise with one of the most modern fleets in the airline industry. In the 86 years since their start, EgyptAir has grown significantly and garnered many awards. With their connections, networks, and being the only non-stop carrier to Egypt from the US; this growth doesn’t seem to be slowing any time…
— Travel Research Online
Read the rest of this article »
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Mike's Morning Missives
Marketing Mistake #15: You Get Dispirited and Give Up
 Today’s world has become used to experiencing “instant gratification.” We want things now… even sooner if possible. When our Internet connection takes more than five seconds we begin to become agitated. The truth is, everything worthwhile will take longer than first expected. I didn’t make this up. It simply is the way the world spins.
Let’s cut to the chase. Here is today’s message:
People will not buy just because you are ready to sell. They will buy when the time is right for them. Your job then becomes clear. You must maintain visibility throughout their decision…
— 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
How to Attract Affluent Clients
Thursday, August 30, 2018 at 3 pm EDT/12 pm PDT
The big mystery to many advisers 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 ➠
Getting to Know The SCENIC Group – Scenic and Emerald Waterways
Wednesday, August 29, 2018 at 3 pm EDT/12 pm PDT
Please join Tom Van Dorn, Business Development Manager, Midwest, for an informative webinar presentation highlighting The Scenic Group brands – Emerald Waterways, Scenic Luxury Cruises & Tours and the Scenic Eclipse – with a specific focus on the Scenic Eclipse: the World’s First Discovery Yacht. Enjoy learning what makes Scenic’s river cruises so special and truly all-inclusive, and learn about many of the features of the Scenic Eclipse that set a whole new benchmark in design innovation and luxury. With Scenic’s commitment to world-class safety, innovation in design and quality appointments throughout, the Scenic Eclipse will offer guests the experience of discovering the world in all-inclusive luxury!
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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