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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
Magical Mystery Tour: A Road Trip Through Mexico
I’m lying on the grass in the churchyard in Huaquechula, a small town in the state of Puebla, central Mexico. I open my eyes and look up. A man dressed in eagle feathers is standing on top of a 30-metre telegraph pole banging a small drum, and four other men are climbing up towards him. When the four reach the top, they attach ropes to their…
— The Guardian
The Most Popular Travel Destination For Millennials Tops Paris & It's Not What You'd Expect
Where to next? That question seemingly never gets old, and I don't blame you one bit for asking it. You just got back from a trip, or haven't hopped on a plane in a while, and are in desperate need of some new surroundings. Girl, I wish I could hand you a plane ticket through the screen. For now, you're just going to have to ask some more…
— Elite Daily
Tours and Activities
What to Do At the Sydney Opera House
Since its inauguration on October 20, 1973, the iconic Sydney Opera House has been the centerpiece of the Sydney Harbour, drawing some 8.2 million visitors every year. But there's much more to Australia's top tourist attraction than just a show-stopping facade. From its complicated construction to popular bars and restaurants, this UNESCO World…
— CNN
The inside story of Bear Grylls Adventure in Birmingham
Bear called. “The scale of challenges that can be found at The Bear Grylls Adventure [is] truly mind blowing,” said TV’s favourite wilderness survival expert. “[The attraction] allows millions of others to find the courage and tenacity to conquer their own Everest.” I answered, and headed for the UK’s newest tourist attraction.…
— The Independent
Cruise
Cruise Giant Carnival Joins List of Lines Raising Service Charge and Gratuity Rates
Planning a Carnival sailing for December or beyond? Get ready for higher daily fees. Effective Dec. 1, the company is hiking the gratuity for staff it automatically tacks onto final bills by about 8 percent to $13.99 per person, per day, for passengers staying in most cabins. Passengers in suites will pay $15.99 per person, per day – an increase of nearly…
— USA Today
Cruise Line Served Man Equivalent of 30 Drinks Before He Went Overboard, Suit Says
federal judge has found “ample evidence” exists to allow a jury to decide whether Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. should bear responsibility for the overboard death of a 22-year-old passenger during a cruise from Port Everglades just before Christmas 2016. Todd and Lisa Skokan filed suit against Royal Caribbean in U.S. District Court in Miami in…
— Sun Sentinel
Transportation
Flying Spirit, Frontier or Allegiant? Here Are 12 things You Need to Know
The fares are almost always enticing. Phoenix to Las Vegas as low as $31 one-way. Atlanta to Fort Lauderdale for $50. Denver to New York City, $59. All on nonstop flights. Discounters Spirit, Frontier and Allegiant — ultra-low cost carriers in airline industry lingo — have long known how to grab travelers' attention. The bare bones ticket…
— USA Today
TSA’s ‘Don’t Lose Your Booze’ Airport Security Campaign Also Could Be ‘Keep Your Gun’
TSA’s slogan “Don’t Lose Your Booze” probably addresses the most travelers who need to learn what they can and can’t bring on a plane. But “Keep Your Guns” also could be used, both nationally and in Florida. As of Thursday, 3,503 firearms had been seized at airport security checkpoints nationwide, a pace that would put the year end total over…
— Miami Herald
Lodging
The 20 Coolest Secret Hotel Amenities
When booking a trip, many travelers like to research the perks and bonuses that come along with their hotel stay. Luxury accommodations come with the expectation of top-notch service, stunning lobbies, decadent spa treatments, and well-appointed suites, but some offer amenities that go beyond the chocolate on your pillow at night or even…
— Travel+Leisure
The Rise of the Robot Butler – Fad or the Future of Hotel Room Service?
he days of a human member of a hotel’s staff delivering the morning paper, a towel or an evening meal could become a relic of the past thanks to the growing use of robots. US establishments are leading the way and over the summer the Vdara Hotel & Spa in Las Vegas became the latest to join the trend when it unveiled two…
— Telegraph (London)
Other and Odd
Instagram Offers Visual Allure, and the Travel Industry Wants In
On a moody August morning in British Columbia, two humpback whales swam beside the floating Great Bear Lodge, exciting guests who watched them feeding and lunging out of the water for fish. Posted to Instagram, the video of the exuberant wildlife encounter went viral and the lodge’s following grew from 600 to nearly 50,000. Booking…
— New York Times
The Person Giving You Official Travel Advice May Be an Inmate
The warm voice answering your 800-VISITNC call will gladly mail you the 174-page Official 2018 Travel Guide, a North Carolina road map, or brochures about Civil War sites, AMTRAK connections or wineries. She can also field detailed questions about whitewater rafting, kayaking, ski slopes, fairs, cultural festivals or events in the state’s 100…
— USA Today
Today in History
The First Chief Justice
On this date in 1789, Chief Justice John Jay is sworn in as the first Chief Justice of the United States. Nominated by George Washington to fill the role, John Jay helped to develop early principles upon which the nation's highest court would later build its jurisprudence. Jay was later Governor of New York from 1795 to 1801 and became a leading opponent of…
— Travel Research Online
Press Releases of Interest
Collette, global tour operator, is thrilled to launch an official Travel Agent Network group on Facebook!
Collette, global tour operator, is thrilled to launch an official Travel Agent Network group on Facebook! The exclusive network of travel agents (which will offer first hand access to industry insiders at Collette) will focus on the latest industry news, trends, incentives, and offers for their…
— Travel Research Online
Agent Perspectives
Doc Martin, Cotswolds’ Tea Rooms, and Garden Festivals in Paris and London
by Paull Tickner
Friday October 12, 2018
Two weeks ago,  my Agent Perspectives article focused on sources of valuable business, already ON YOUR DOORSTEP. In case you missed it, take another look at it here because this week’s eclectic mix ‘n’ match medley will give you inspired suggestions for clients who are fans of Masterpiece On Location tours in general and Doc Martin/Poldark in particular, spectacular flower shows in Paris and London, tea rooms and stately homes in the Cotswolds, Methodist Heritage and literary anniversaries.
To see an Aladdin’s Cave of conversation-starting UK tours that can be customised to meet your client’s interests, time frame and budget have a look at www.customgb.co.uk.
— Travel Research Online
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Mike's Morning Missives
72 Shots – Three Goals
 A few seasons back the Washington Capitols and The NY Rangers faced off for game seven in the semi-finals of the Stanley Cup Playoffs. It was all on the line. The winner moved onto the finals, while the loser went home to catch up on some Perry Mason reruns.
I tuned in with 17 minutes left in the 3rd period with the score tied, one apiece. I heard the announcer report “61 shots…Two in.” Those numbers immediately caught my attention.
The Rangers where a forecasted loser as they were down three to one in games going into the night’s game. The smart money was on the…
— Travel Research Online
Read the rest of this article » |
Soundings
Every Month Is Cruise Month
by Susan Schaefer
Friday October 19, 2018
In 2005 the Cru ise Lines International Association (CLIA) launched an innovative marketing campaign, World’s Largest Cruise Night. The basic concept was to have travel agencies host cruise nights throughout the United States on the same night in October. Several hundred agencies participated in the event. After a couple of years they added “virtual” cruise nights to the event, expanding the number of agencies and consumers participating in this one night activity.
What started as a one-night event eventually morphed into a week-long campaign targeting a set week in October. Eventually, it became the National Plan a Cruise Month encompassing the whole month of October. This year it has been rebranded as Global #ChooseCruise Month. It’s the same idea, a month long marketing campaign focused on…
— Travel Research Online
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Upcoming Training Opportunities
Explore the wildlife of Patagonia with Australis on a journey to
Wednesday, November 14, 2018 at 1 pm EST/10 am PST
Set sail with Australis Cruises on a journey of discovery and learn about the wildlife that inhabits this region. Find out why your nature-loving clients should consider a journey with us. Patagonia is perfect for anyone interested in seeing landscapes and habitats largely untouched by man for thousands of years. With a huge variety of birds, sea life and more this region is sure to please wildlife lovers and bird watchers alike. Australis delivers our guests to even more via the pristine and remote waterways of the Patagonian Fjords. Otherwise inaccessible by most other methods, our custom built ships are designed to navigate these areas in safety and comfort. Our all-inclusive rates include meals, open bar and excursions allowing you to get up close and personal with our landscapes with tremendous value.
Register Now ➠
Scenic Eclipse, the World’s First Discovery Yacht
Thursday, October 25, 2018 at 3 pm EDT/12 pm PDT
Scenic Eclipse, the World’s First Discovery Yachts, launching in January 2018, has captured the imagination of cruise fans everywhere. The “6-star” luxury mega yachts, carrying just 228 guests, (200 in the polar regions) marries luxury, discovery and safety. The ships intimate size allows for docking in smaller ports; its GPS dynamic position technology allows it to ‘anchor’ in areas where the use of a real anchor would make it off-limits and its innovative zero-speed stabilizer fins are 50% larger and provide even greater stability.
Register Now ➠
ARGENTINA FOOD WINE COUNTRYSIDE
Wednesday, October 24, 2018 at 1 pm EDT/10 am PDT
Hosted by: Mercedes Bassi “Wine & Gastronomy” coordinator and Ariel Cohen, National Institute of Tourism Promotion, and Aerolineas Argentinas.
Register Now ➠
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ica. If it’s not on your bucket list, it should be. I’ve been fortunate enough to have cruised Antarctica twice – see my posts from those trips Antarctica On Silver Explorer and Antarctica On Seabourn Quest. I’ll be headed back for the third time in November (2018) on the recently refurbished Silver Cloud. – Ralph Grizzle