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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
7 Things to Do in Sapporo
7 things to do in Sapporo: For rugby fans planning their trip to the friendly and laid-back city of Sapporo for the 2019 World Cup, here are seven ways to get the best out of this Japanese…
— CNN
The World's Best Destinations For Coffee Lovers
Are you a coffee addict with a penchant for travel? Then you've come to the right place! From one-of-a-kind coffee academy in Brazil and elegant Italian coffee bars to Colombia's innovative coffee themed-park, here are some of the most fascinating holiday destinations that need to be on your bucket…
— Forbes
Tours and Activities
On a Family Road Trip Through Germany: Fairy Tales, Castles and Cuckoo Clocks
Certain trips acquire an almost mythical quality over time: You leave home at the right moment and return just as it passes. You have friends to visit along your route, and all of them are delighted to put you up. You rent the right car, pack the right books, eat remarkably well and…
— New York Times
The 10 Best Cities for a Warm Winter Break
Depending on your taste in temperature, you might argue that the former imperial city of Marrakech, in Morocco, is at its best in November. The raw heat of July and August (in the mid-90s, or over 34C) will by then have been replaced by a more restrained 72F (22C), making a…
— Telegraph (London)
Cruise
Couple Found Hidden Camera in Their Carnival Cruise Bedroom: 'Our Privacy Had Been Invaded'
A Florida couple is recalling a distressing experience on a Carnival Cruise after finding a hidden camera pointing at their bed. In an interview set to air Monday, Chris and Dana White told Inside Edition that they discovered a recording device hidden among TV wires in their stateroom last…
— USA Today
Wave of Cruise Ships Line Up for Florida Debuts
With the winter sailing season arriving, Florida is set to add to its arsenal of new cruise ships with Royal Caribbean Symphony of the Seas, Norwegian Bliss, Celebrity Edge and Holland America ms Nieuw Statendam joining Carnival…
— Orlando Sentinel
Transportation
Are Hydrogen Trains the Future of Travel?
Trains powered by hydrogen could be a reality in the UK by the "early 2020s", according to Transport Secretary Chris Grayling. They're seen as a cleaner - but pricier - alternative to diesel trains, as the exhaust emission is pure water. The BBC's Roger Harrabin reports from…
— BBC News
October Route Roundup: Where Airlines are Adding Service
Airlines constantly tweak their schedules, trying to find profitable new routes or pulling the plug on ones that have underperformed. Airports and communities court these new services. There are dozens of changes to airline routes each month. Here's a look at some of the most…
— USA Today
Lodging
Can You Fit In These Tiny New Hotel Rooms?
Following the logic of the "tiny house" trend – i.e., why pay for more space than you absolutely need – a couple of major hotel chains are adopting the "tiny room" concept that has previously been limited to small specialty operators like Yotel, Marriott's Moxy and New York's Pod…
— Seattle PI
George Latimer Wants a Law to Tax Airbnb, Hotel-booking Sites
Travel-booking sites such as Expedia have argued that they don’t have to pay local hotel taxes. Westchester County wants to end the confusion by updating its laws to put it in simple terms: they do. The county’s hotel tax, or room occupancy tax, charges 3 percent on hotel bookings. County…
— lohud
Other and Odd
An Indian City with Audacious Attitude
On a rainy September day, I was wandering the streets of Sadashiv Peth, a neighbourhood in the old quarters of Pune in the Indian state of Maharashtra. As I passed a temple, my eye was caught by a large, colourful signboard, written in the local Marathi language: ‘This is Rahalkar's private parking. Anyone visiting the temple other than Rahalkar cannot park their vehicle…
— BBC Neww
Millennials Value Travel Over Sex, Carbs, And Coffee
Nearly half of them are even willing to give up their cell phones according to a new survey.Millennials have been a hot topic of discussion over the pass few years within the travel industry. Also know as Gen Y, this particular subset of the population has been heavily exposed to various forms of digital…
— Forbes
38 Genius Items the World's Best Travel Agents Always Pack
Fine, call us nosy. But we can’t help but wonder what other people have packed in their suitcases, especially if said people are seasoned professionals at this whole packing-for-a-trip thing. It’s our favorite way of discovering new packing tips and…
— Travel+Leisure
Today in History
The Beheading of Sir Walter Raleigh
By varying accounts, Sir Walter Raleigh was either a true gentleman or a pirate. He was a poet, a soldier, a favorite of Queen Elizabeth and an explorer. He was knighted in 1585, and assisted with the settlement of English colonies in…
— Travel Research Online
Editorial Musings
Another way to look at your clients
by John Frenaye
Monday October 29, 2018
“Put yourself into the mind of your customer.” We have heard that phrase forever. I am not sure who originated it; but those 8 words have become the salesperson’s mantra. But there is more to it. Much more! Read on.
So, how do we get into the mind of our clients? What info do we need? How do we balance thinking like a sales consultant with thinking like a client? What are the questions and objections that the customers present? Put it simply—they have a problem, and we are here to help them solve it.
Define the…
— Travel Research Online
Read the rest of this article »
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One-to-One Interviews
Gordon Dirker, VP of Business Development, Celestyal Cruises
 Born and educated in the Netherlands, Gordon Dirker has enjoyed an extensive career in the travel industry. Prior to being appointed VP of Business Development, Americas for Celestyal Cruises in January 2018, Gordon spent nearly 18 years working for the Travel Corporation. This was followed by nearly 4 years with the Norway based expedition cruise and ferry line, Hurtigruten. He started as a BDM for Contiki Holidays based in Baltimore, MD. After 1 year, Gordon was promoted and moved to London to lead their sales and marketing efforts in the UK and Europe. This was followed by a move back to LA where he spent 6 years at Brendan Vacations in a similar senior role. He left the…
— Travel Research Online
Read the rest of this article »
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Publishers Corner
Power Play
by Richard Earls
Sunday October 28, 2018
"Knowledge is p ower." We have heard that saying so often that we accept its validity without question. But is it accurate? If the internet has done anything, it has made knowledge far more accessible, shifting the balance of power. Want to know something about weight loss? Google it. Want to research a stock? No problem. Looking for a new home? Zillow it. Knowledge is indeed power, but the internet has shifted the center of gravity from pools of knowledge to a more general dispersal.
At one time, travel agencies represented pools of knowledge. If a client wanted to get from Minneapolis to Delhi and have confidence in their selection of accommodations, travel agencies represented the…
— Travel Research Online
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Mike's Morning Missives
It’s Your Business, Do Something About It
 There is a thin line between “customer service” and being a doormat. If there is one common refrain I hear (and if I’ve heard it once I’ve heard it a hundred times), it is:
“Potential clients contact me to milk me for as much information as they can before they head out to book their own vacation on the internet.”
It is important to remember that it is your business, and you can run your business any way you choose. If you are tired of being “used,” than it is time that you begin charging for your work. The best time to explain this is early in the relationship. Nobody likes surprises. Not me. Not you.…
— 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
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 ➠
Selling Packaged Rail Vacations & How to be Profitable Doing It
Tuesday, November 6, 2018 at 12 pm EST/9 am PST
Join Vacations By Rail’s Selling Packaged Rail Vacations & How to be Profitable Doing It and learn how to easily sell rail vacations worldwide with Vacations By Rail, the leader and trusted authority on rail vacations.
Register Now ➠
Top Travel Trends and Great Escapes to Africa
Thursday, November 1, 2018 at 3 pm EDT/12 pm PDT
You are invited to join the experts at South African Airways and a2b Destination Marketing and learn about the best way to fly to Africa and how to experience some of the most iconic properties in South Africa.
Register Now ➠
Discover Aboriginal Australia with Down Under Answers – a cultural journey
Wednesday, October 31, 2018 at 1 pm EDT/10 am PDT
When people are asked why they travel internationally, one of the most common responses is to learn about the people!!
Register Now ➠
Perillo's Learning Journeys - 2019 Products and Blue Ocean Strategy-Grow Your Business
Monday, October 29, 2018 at 3 pm EDT/12 pm PDT
Join Professor Carol Dimopoulos on an unforgettable professional development webinar. Learn about the 2019 Learning Journeys portfolio and the "Blue Ocean" strategy to develop skills to attract new business and grow market segments for groups and independent travelers.
Register Now ➠
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