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Friday November 16, 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

8 Reasons That Prove Japan Deserves a Stamp in Your Passport
With all the magical, must-see destinations popping up around the globe, your passport has probably gotten a lot of action lately—or is about to, anyway. You can take wellness cruises that let you venture through the Mediterranean Sea with a green juice in hand, see elephants roaming in Kenya, or climb the…

Celebrity Travel Destinations for Those with an Unlimited Budget
It must be hard being a celebrity. In between fighting off your adoring fans and being hero-worshipped, you also have to worry about how to dress, where to eat and where to go on holiday. And the latter is not just as simple as checking out the cheapest flights to Spain on the website of a budget…

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Tours and Activities

The 5 Types of People Who Should Visit Disneyland at Christmas. Are You One of Them?
Anyone who visits Disneyland during the holidays knows that the theme park didn’t invent Christmas cheer. It perfected it. From a towering holiday tree to the wreaths and lights that drip from any real estate capable of supporting decorations, Disneyland is the center of the yule-niverse. It wasn’t always this way.…

A New Take on Luxury Destination Weddings and Honeymoons
Luxury destination weddings and honeymoons continue to evolve in their style as the bride and groom raise the bar on their expectations. For destination weddings, couples are planning more customized experiences for their guests, and the planning is beginning earlier and earlier. We touched base with…

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Cruise

Windstar Cruises Planning $250 Million Fleet Upgrade
Small-ship cruise line Windstar Cruises is planning a new $250 million fleet upgrade project, the company said. The multi-year “Star Plus Initiative” will “impact and enhance” all aspects of the experience on the brand’s Star-Class vessels. That will include adding another 100 passengers on each ship, meaning a total…

Dream Cruises Introduces Halal Cuisine on Genting Dream
Dream Cruises announced it has introduced Halal cuisine options onboard the Genting Dream, which is currently the only cruise ship in Asia granted Halal certification by the Department of Islamic Development Malaysia (JAKIM). The Lido onboard the 2016-built ship now offers a dedicated Halal buffet section for…

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Transportation

The Best Shopping Holiday for Travelers May Not Be Black Friday (But It's Close)
Those looking to score the cheapest airfares around this Thanksgiving holiday shopping season may have their patience tested. Between Black Friday, Cyber Monday and what some are calling “Travel Tuesday” or “Travel Deal Tuesday” — a day that some airlines appear to be making their own when it comes to holiday…

In-Flight Sexual Misconduct Task Force Announced by DOT
The U.S. Department of Transportation on Thursday announced the creation of an in-flight sexual misconduct task force. DOT Secretary Elaine L. Chao announced the task force, which is part of the larger Aviation Consumer Protection Advisory Committee. "The Task Force will review current practices, protocols…

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Lodging

Luxury Hotel Built in Former Pit Mine to Open in China
A luxury hotel opening outside Shanghai is offering guests with deep pockets the chance of a very deep sleep. The 18-story Intercontinental Shanghai Wonderland Hotel has been built into the side of a huge hole in the ground left by a former pit mine. Sixteen of its floors are below ground level, looking out onto the…

How Do I Avoid Hidden Hotel Fees?
Liz Gabay looks relaxed now, outside enjoying the beautiful weather in her purple shirt and jeans, reading a book. But you should have seen her the day she checked out of the hotel, after visiting her daughter at college. The hotel bill included an unexpected daily charge for the in-room safe. “It’s totally…

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Other and Odd

Holiday Gift Guide 2018: The Best European Cooking Vacations
For a second consecutive year, Portugal was named “Best European Destination” at the 25th World Travel Awards in 2018. Lisbon, its capital and largest city, is one of the country’s most popular destinations. In partnership with Culinary Backstreets, Atlas Obscura is hosting a 7-day/6-night Lisbon culinary experience…

How Instagram is Changing the Way We Travel
Visual social network Instagram is a feast for the eyes – particularly for those who love traveling. The platform now has more than 1 billion active monthly users, who post more than 100 million photos each day. And a large percentage of those photos are travel-related. Each day, users are treated to photos of…

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Today in History

Operation Paperclip
World War II was over, but the Cold War was beginning to simmer. The United States seized on the opportunity to grab the technology lead in rocket design and development. On November 16, 1945, the first group of German scientists from Nazi Germany arrived in the United States to begin their new roles as United States…

Press Releases of Interest

ASTA Announces A-List Lineup for Global Convention 2019
Alexandria, VA, November 15, 2018 – The American Society of Travel Advisors (ASTA) is pleased to announce that Chris Nassetta, President & CEO of Hilton, Arnold Donald, President & CEO of Carnival Corporation & plc, Andy Stuart, President & CEO of Norwegian Cruise Line and Michael Bayley, President & CEO of Royal Caribbean International will take part in the biggest industry event of 2019, the ASTA Global Convention (AGC) in Fort Lauderdale, FL, at the Diplomat Beach Resort, August 25-27…

Agent Perspectives

Matching UK Products To Niche Markets On Your Doorstep
by Paull Tickner
Friday November 16, 2018

This Window on Britain illustrates not only the scope of what the UK has to offer but also the untapped sources of new business already close to where you live.

Clients who have enjoyed their visits to Colonial Williamsburg will be thrilled by the action-packed York Viking Festival, while others interested in Foodie Tours will be keen to learn more about the new cookery school opening at the 5-star Grand Hotel in York and the Gourmet Tour of Northern England. Anyone interested in horseback riding will fancy the Dressage, Cross Country and Show Jumping at the Badminton Horse Trials, while railway enthusiasts will like the nostalgic look of the North Wales and North of England Festival of Steam.

Other stories will interest cruise clients sailing in or…

  — Travel Research Online
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Deck Plans

Countdown To Celebrity Edge: My Top Five Anticipated Venues

With only two weeks left until I sail Celebrity Edge, my excitement is beginning to overcome me. My two day trip aboard this beautiful new ship will start on the 25th of November, and wrap up on the 27th. There are so many new features aboard this ship, and with it being my first time on Celebrity, I’m fairly certain I will be in for a treat.

I can already tell that the trip is going to be entirely too short, because there is so much that I am looking forward to seeing. I know that I may not have time to get to everything on the three day cruise, so I figured I should highlight the top five spaces that I am looking most…

  — Travel Research Online
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Mike's Morning Missives

The Feeling Was Palpable

WHEW!

Don't you love it when you wake up and realize that what you were just experiencing was a nightmare? I know I sure do. I am awake. And it never happened.

We are all victims of habit and in my dream. I arrived on a flight and while waiting for my bag on the carousel I realized that only "one" bag had arrived. I always just travel; with one bag. One bag and one…

  — Travel Research Online
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