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Thursday September 20, 2018

Editor’s Note — TRO wants to remind its 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

Why autumn is the best time for a trip to the Boundary Waters
Paddling across White Iron Lake, I looked up at the sky, cloudless and blue. Then I glided around a bend and spotted them: a pair of slim maple trees, rising from the rocky shoreline, burst into a brilliant…

Off the grid: Exploring the San Juans’ most remote islands
You don't go to the most isolated islands in the San Juans for the amenities. You go for the quiet, for pitch-black nights with the sound of waves hitting the beach. You go for the rare opportunity to disconnect from your modern, plugged-in…

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Tours and Activities

Seven Affordable Seaside Getaways for This Fall
If you’ve ever wanted to take a luxurious trip to a picturesque seaside destination, here are more than a few high-end options that come without high-end…

How to do Oktoberfest like a local - and this year's alternative options that are more authentic
Oktoberfest in Munich is perhaps Germany's best-known event. The three-week festival sees Germans and tourists alike donning their finest Tracht (Lederhosen for the men, Dirndls for women) and spending their days, nights and all their money drinking…

Disney World's Toy Story Land: Best bets and tips for families
The details are magic inside Disney World Resort's new Toy Story Land, which features the kid-favorite Slinky Dog Dash, the unexpectedly fun Alien Swirling Saucers and the chocolate goodness of Woody's Lunch Box. Our tips for getting the most out of this Hollywood Studios expansion in…

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Cruise

American Queen Steamboat Company unveils plans for new paddlewheeler
The American Queen Steamboat Company has ordered a fourth vessel to be called American Countess. The 245-passenger paddlewheeler will be built in…

Is this the future of cruise ships?
The brand new Celebrity Edge ship uses a radical engineering concept to create cabins with epic panoramas that experts say could be a game-changer for the cruise…

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Transportation

Cathay Pacific Misspelt Its Own Name on a New Airplane
Cathay Pacific misspelt its own name on the side of a new airplane and people on the internet can't stop…

Will Congress rescue travelers from excessive airline fees?
Congress faces a Sept. 30 deadline to approve funding to keep the Federal Aviation Administration afloat. Right now the bill includes language to curtail “unreasonable” airline fees. The airlines, with $4.6 billion on the line, are lobbying hard against…

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Lodging

Two Venice Hotels, Two Sides of a Celebrated City
One is an opulent palazzo, the other a combination hostel and budget hotel. One has 18 rooms and suites, the other nearly 1,000 beds. Which would you choose for a night in…

Chasing Balzac: Uncovering the Intimate Belle Epoque Hotels of Paris
The hotels offer would-be bons vivants and lovers of 19th-century French literature the kind of lodgings that recall the raconteur-filled salons in the novels of Honore de Balzac.…

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Other and Odd

The Thing: Arizona's weirdest roadside attraction just got stranger
For years The Thing rested in a dusty warehouse, visitors wondering what it was. A new museum makes it clear - The Thing is stranger than you…

How much does this actually cost? In travel, it can be hard to get a straight answer.
The quoted rate for an “amazing” three-bedroom condominium in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, looked too good to be…

Is space the tourist's new playground?
SpaceX CEO Elon Musk announced that Japanese billionaire Yusaku Maezawa will be the first private passenger to travel to…

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Today in History

RMS Queen Elizabeth 2
On September 20, 1967, Queen Elizabeth II launched the RMS Queen Elizabeth 2, fondly known as the "QE2". The gold scissors she used to cut the ceremonial ribbon was the same…

Press Releases of Interest

SOUTH AFRICAN AIRWAYS VACATIONS® INTRODUCES ITS 2019 COLLECTION BROCHURE
South African Airways Vacations® (SAA Vacations®), the leisure division of South African Airways, launched its 2019Collection brochure, featuring aportfolio of affordable air-inclusive vacation packages to a variety of destinations throughout…

TRO SMITH

How to Upcycle your Social Content

Recycle. Upcycle. Repurpose. Whether you hang out in the world of DIY or social marketing you’ll recognize these terms as trendy time savers.

In the world of DIY, we think of upcycling as taking an old table and turning it into a trendy kitchen island.

In the world of sewing, recycling and repurposing just became part of my world. Recently I received my grandmothers wedding dress as a gift. This family heirloom has now become a couple of new pieces in my closet. I’ve been able to transform parts of the dress into 4 different garments; the front panel on a blouse, a skirt, appliques on a blouse for my mom and trim on a bathrobe. Yep, a lot of time in my sewing room, and 4…

  — Travel Research Online
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Luxury Travel Tips

Cash (Flow) is King!
by Dan Chappelle
Thursday September 20, 2018

I tend to be a little old school. I don’t believe every new app dreamed up by some kid in his basement, who has never sold anything in his life, is going to revolutionize how we sell in this or any other business. Because travel is such a huge industry world-wide, it attracts all sorts of people trying to capitalize on the “get rich quick with little or no effort” movement so prevalent online. As a professional travel business advisor, I will just say to you, “buyer beware”.

So, you can imagine how annoyed I get when people ask me about my latest “hack” or how to “disrupt” the market. Don’t even get me started on “unicorns.”

Want to do something revolutionary? Try forgetting about hitting gross…

  — Travel Research Online
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Mike's Morning Missives

Why People Can Be Difficult

I'm not sure what is happening, but it seems to me that more people are becoming unhappier by the day. TVs, cell phones, two cars, and more food than they need isn’t enough to put a permanent smile on most faces. But let’s dig deeper. If you realize why these people are coming across in such a negative demeanor you will be in a better position communicate with a productive output.

Here are nine reasons why people come across as being…

  — 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


ShoreTrips 202 – More Advanced Features

ShoreTrips 202 – More Advanced Features

Thursday, September 27, 2018 at 3 pm EDT/12 pm PDT

Join ShoreTrips for a more advanced look at sales tools, the checkout process and other features you have access to with ShoreTrips. Regardless if you just refer clients to ShoreTrips and let them book themselves – or if you prefer to be more ‘hands on’ – you will come out of this webinar with more knowledge!

Register Now ➠


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 ➠







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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2019 Costa Rica Escorted Group Trip

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Take a group to Croatia and Balkans and go for free!

Did you know that Victory Cruise Lines loves solo travelers?

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Qatar to the Middle East & Asia with CTS

Fantastic Savings Opportunity: Book Early, Save More!

Dubai Tour Packages: Their ticket to fun