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Friday August 31, 2018

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

Fall Travel: Where To Go In Slane, Ireland
Traveling to Ireland soon? Consider an Irish experience beyond the typical Dublin pub crawl. Slane, a small town about a half-hour drive outside of Dublin, has been on the radar of music fans for decades. Since 1981, acts such as U2, the Rolling Stones and Guns N' Roses have played on the sprawling grounds of Slane…

These Are the 5 Best and Cheapest Places to Travel to In September
September. It’s synonymous with the end of summer. But it doesn’t have to mean no more weekends away or escapes abroad. In fact, this month can often be one of the best *to* travel since many people head back to work and prices drop for “shoulder season”—when airfare and hotel prices dip significantly post-Labor Day—but you still get great weather and all the perks of summer minus the crowds.…

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Tours and Activities

Why the Best Way to Explore Europe Is by Train
Most of us when we travel are simply trying to get from point A to point B as quickly as possible, which usually makes flying the default mode of transportation. But when you add in commuting time to and from the airport, baggage fees, small seats, and overly chatty seatmates, there’s still much to be desired in the average flight. Trains, on the other hand, provide an experience…

You Can Now Follow in Anthony Bourdain's Footsteps in Vietnam With Trip Dedicated to His Legacy
Anthony Bourdain traveled to the far corners of the world for his show Parts Unknown, and one of his most memorable trips was the one he took to Vietnam. Diep Nguyen, a Vietnam travel expert for vacation company Exotic Voyages, worked with Bourdain and his crew the last time he traveled to Northern Vietnam in 2016. She wanted to pay tribute to the late chef and author,…

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Cruise

No Kids Allowed: The Surge In Adult-Only Cruise Ships
As the cruise industry has grown, it’s also become more diversified, seemingly able to offer something for every kind of guest (except the die-hard non-cruiser). There are choices regarding ship size, stateroom configurations, onboard activities/amenities, itineraries, shore excursions, and price points—as well as the “je ne sais quoi” factor, or overall ambiance of the…

Port CEO says two of three Disney Cruise Line ships headed to Port Canaveral
Disney Cruise Line is no stranger to parking their new ships at Port Canaveral, and that looks to be where the line’s next two new ships will call home. Port Canaveral CEO John Murray made comments about Disney’s forthcoming vessels during the Canaveral Port Authority Board of Commissioners meeting on Wednesday, which also solidified the port’s deal to bring a new Carnival Cruise Line ship to the…

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Transportation

Scooter-hire Apps Are Taking Over European Cities - But Are They Safe?
I walk out of my flat in Barcelona and see a lime green scooter parked in the street. I look at my phone to check it’s the right one... yes, this is Elena the Scooter and she has 79 per cent battery. I press a button and the bike automatically unlocks itself. I open up the back to take out a helmet, replace it with my handbag... and start driving down the palm tree-lined street. As simple as that.…

Southwest Announces New International Flights for Spring 2019
Southwest announced Thursday that the airline's spring schedule for 2019 will include new international and nonstop routes. Travelers can expect new options for spring break and beyond from major U.S. cities. Starting in March, the airline will add new and returning seasonal flights to Cancún from Milwaukee, Pittsburgh, Raleigh-Durham and San Antonio; to…

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Lodging

The Best Boutique Hotels in Scotland
Scotland is a land of historical monuments, rolling countryside, bothies... and boutique hotels. In fact, if you're looking for a cosy hideaway, you're practically spoilt for choice north of border. Whether you're in Edinburgh city centre or you've spent the day hiking the Highlands, there is likely a nook nearby for resting your head within stylish interiors and tucking into delicious – and in some cases, Michelin-starred – meals.…

Self-Driving Hotel Rooms May Soon Become a Reality
Imagine a world where you no longer fly between your house and your hotel. You drive there. Or more accurately, your hotel room drives you there. That is the world that Steve Lee, of Los Angeles-based Aprilli Design Studio, is developing for us all. His Autonomous Travel Suite (dumb name, cool concept) has been designed as a hotel/self-driving car hybrid that plans to take guests from door to…

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Other and Odd

How to Protect Your Cellphone (and Your Data) When You Travel
Many travelers consider their cellphones essential when they’re on the road and rely on it for taking pictures and texting to using it to find their way around. So what do you do if your phone gets lost, stolen or breaks when you’re abroad? How can you prevent it from happening in the first place? Brandon Bogle, a cellphone expert for Asurion, a company that provides insurance for consumer…

Cruise Control
If you’ve ever searched for last-minute travel deals, you probably walked away convinced that seat-of-the-pants vacations are just for the wealthy. Not so. Yes, late bookings often come at a premium. But there are deals to be had, too — especially for flexible travelers who are creative when it comes to earning and redeeming points and miles. Sometimes thinking off-season can pay…

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Today in History

The Murder of Mary Ann Nichols
Charles Cross, a market stall operator, was the first to discover the body of Mary Ann Nichols, laying on the ground on what is now Durward Street, in the Whitechapel area of London near the London Hospital. She had last been seen alive walking the Whitechapel Road in a new bonnet, one she hoped would assist her earning…

Press Releases of Interest

SOUTH AFRICAN AIRWAYS VACATIONS® ANNOUNCES FREE FIVE-STAR LUXURY UPGRADES ON “BEST OF SOUTH AFRICA” PACKAGE
Fort Lauderdale, FL (August 28, 2018) – South African Airways Vacations® (SAA Vacations®), the leisure division of South African Airways, has announced complimentary luxury upgrades to five-star accommodations in Cape Town and in the Karongwe Private Game Reserve for travelers who book the “Best of South Africa”…

Agent Perspectives

Inspiring UK Garden Festivals for Garden Lovers
by Paull Tickner
Friday August 31, 2018

With garden clubs returning to their normal schedule of monthly meetings in September, make an appointment to present them with some eye-catching new itineraries that they have not seen before?

Orchid Societies will relish Kew’s annual Orchid extravaganza in February. While other gardeners, too busy to travel in the spring, might say 'yes' to a Poldark/Doc Martin infused Cornwall garden tour in March. Scotland’s Rhododendron Festival blended with a few castles and distilleries may draw the attention north of the border, with others liking my suggestions for the Keukenhof in Holland, Floralia in Belgium and some of our English tulip festivals. The mid-May RHS Malvern Flower Show is also a very good reason for a "travel less, see more" visit to the Cotswolds.

With the Journées des…

  — Travel Research Online
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Deck Plans

At Crystal Endeavor’s Keel-Laying, German Chancellor Angela Merkel Expresses Awe & A Desire

This past Tuesday at Germany’s MV Werften Shipyard in Stralsund, German Chancellor Angela Merkel said she would like to sail on Crystal’s new expedition ship, Crystal Endeavor. Wouldn’t we all? Not only is the lineup of itineraries enough to make any wanderer salivate – see Crystal Endeavor Now Open For Booking – but Endeavor itself is nothing short of gorgeous – see Crystal Endeavor To Boast Expedition’s Highest Space Ratio.

Merkel was among the VIPs who placed coins in Endeavor’s keel, a time-honored tradition meant to bring the vessel good fortune. Below, I’ve posted a photos and short video from last Tuesday’s keel-laying…

  — Travel Research Online
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Mike's Morning Missives

Sales Mistake #7: Not Taking Detailed Notes

The combination of age and information overload is a recipe for pending disaster. Relying on memory is a mistake of huge proportion. Here is the long and short of it: Write everything down. Take notes. Do not depend on your memory.

Memories are becoming shorter as the list of concerns grows longer. Nights are for sleeping, not tossing and turning trying to remember if you have forgotten some important issue for tomorrow’s sales presentation, or your best client’s family vacation.

The master at this was a client/friend of mine. This man was running a $150 million company and he forgot nothing: Paul had a mind like a steel trap. Or did he? He was the best I knew of for not “dropping the ball” while juggling a…

  — Travel Research Online
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Soundings

We Don’t Own the Clients
by Susan Schaefer
Friday August 31, 2018

A recent Royal Caribbean webcast reminded me of the continual struggle that travel advisors have with suppliers contacting clients directly. Many travel advisors believe that they “own” the client and that suppliers should refrain from marketing to or contacting advisors’ clients, ever. In reality, the clients belong to no one, and suppliers have just as much of a right to contact our shared clients. Let’s face a harsh reality here, suppliers have a vested interest in getting as much repeat business as possible. With the data showing that clients don’t always return to the same travel advisors for future vacations, our suppliers can’t take the chance we’re going to drive the repeat business to them.

The recent Royal Caribbean webcast in question was about the new…

  — 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!


Upcoming Training Opportunities


What's New for 2019 with Image Tours

What's New for 2019 with Image Tours

Wednesday, September 26, 2018 at 1 pm EDT/10 am PDT

Having been in business since 1939, Image Tours is one of the most experienced Europe tour operators in the world and they have earned a reputation for high quality tours at an affordable price. While their emphasis is on introducing your clients to the European way of life, Image Tours remains aware of the small details appreciated by American travelers.

Register Now ➠


Learn how to become an Australis Specialist and earn more!

Learn how to become an Australis Specialist and earn more!

Wednesday, September 19, 2018 at 1 pm EDT/10 am PDT

Learn how to become an Australis Specialist and earn bonus commissions with host Kathy Simpson when you take a virtual cruise through Patagonia\'s wonderlands.

Register Now ➠


South Africa and its luxury, award-winning lodges and camps

South Africa and its luxury, award-winning lodges and camps

Wednesday, September 12, 2018 at 3 pm EDT/12 pm PDT

Join South African Airways and Singta on a journey through our awe-inspiring country.

Register Now ➠


How to Sell the Islands of Tahiti

How to Sell the Islands of Tahiti

Tuesday, September 11, 2018 at 3 pm EDT/12 pm PDT

Overwater Bungalows, Paradise & Romance are Tahiti’s most famous trademarks, but there is so much more to the Islands of Tahiti. Let Goway teach you how to sell Tahiti, sharing tips on ways to create value and create the dream trip of a lifetime.

Register Now ➠


Emerald Waterways in 2019 - Europe Rivers, Dalmatian Coast & Nile River

Emerald Waterways in 2019 - Europe Rivers, Dalmatian Coast & Nile River

Thursday, September 6, 2018 at 3 pm EDT/12 pm PDT

Join us to learn about Emerald Waterways award-winning Star-Ships that cut a chic figure on the waterways of Europe where comfort and innovation combine across our custom-built boutique fleet offering an indoor heated pool with retractable roof that transforms into a cinema or sports bar in the evening and our all-weather balcony systems allow you to enjoy your balcony, whatever the weather. Inspiring days ashore offer EmeraldPLUS – authentic excursions focusing on the culture aspect of your destination. Take advantage of EmeraldACTIVE with biking, hiking or canoeing on Portugal’s Doro river. With Emerald Waterways exceptional value – even onboard and shore side gratuities, airport transfers and a selection of beer/wine/soft drinks with lunch and dinner are all included.

Register Now ➠


Get to Know the newly renovated Grand Sirenis Punta Cana Resort

Get to Know the newly renovated Grand Sirenis Punta Cana Resort

Wednesday, September 5, 2018 at 1 pm EDT/10 am PDT

The Sirenis Hotels & Resorts group is excited to announce that the final leg of the renovation process is underway at Grand Sirenis Punta Cana. By December, 2018, the newly updated luxury resort plans to re-open the property to guests from around the world.

Register Now ➠


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