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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
Six Places in Buenos Aires Where You’ll Want to Have a Drink
To get a general idea of how the people of Buenos Aires drink, you need only go inside any grocery or convenience store. It won’t be too many steps before you’re confronted with an end-of-aisle liquor display. But it won’t be vodka or rum on sale. It will be Campari, Fernet Branca, Cynar, Cinzano vermouth or Gancia, an aperitivo. Each is an Italian…
— New York Times
Detouring: Top World Destinations are Overrun. Take Our Suggestions for Roads Not Taken.
During a trip to the Czech Republic this summer, Bret Love desperately wanted to escape the crowds at Prague Castle but couldn’t. He was stuck in a Vltava River of humanity. “There were thousands and thousands and thousands of people jostling for space,” said the co-founder of Green Global Travel. “You start to feel like cattle being…
— The Washington Post
Tours and Activities
Nuggets of News from Epcot: A Spinning Roller Coaster Car, a Singalong, a Lagoon Show
Disney has started to fill in some of the details of a makeover of Epcot that will be going on for years: more spectacle, more interactive entertainment, more cutting-edge technology that will give us not just a glimpse of fantasy worlds but immerse us in them. The company still has not revealed the big picture, but over the last week, between the annual…
— Miami Herald
Next Year's Big Travel Trends Will Make You Want To Pack Your Bags
For your next vacation, there's a pretty good chance you'll be checking into a place like La Casa Contenta, a stunning four-bedroom mansion in Temecula, Calif., with unobstructed views of the Palomar Mountain range. At least that's what the vacation rental company HomeAway says in its 2019 Trend Report, a preview of next year's big travel…
— Forbes
Cruise
Toddler Triggers Bottle Smash as Symphony of the Seas Christened in Miami
In the end, it was one of the smallest of humans who set in motion the christening of the biggest of cruise ships. One-year-old Ocean PenaVega, with an assist from his parents, actors and megacruise fans Carlos and Alexa PenaVega, pressed a button late Thursday in Miami to trigger the smashing of a champagne bottle against Royal Caribbean's…
— USA Today
Carnival Cruise Ship Opens New Shopping Experience
A Carnival Cruise Line ship has unveiled a new shopping experience that represents one of the most ambitious duty free store remodels on any Carnival ship to date. Carnival Cruise Line has partnered with duty free partner Heinemann Americas Inc in what they hope will become a model for duty free shopping on cruise lines around the…
— Cruise Fever
Transportation
Airlines Face Crack Down On Use of ‘Exploitative’ Algorithm That Splits Up Families on Flights
Algorithms used by airlines to split up those travelling together unless they pay more to sit next to each other have been called “exploitative” by a government minister. Speaking to a parliamentary communications committee, Digital Minister Margot James described the software as “a very cynical, exploitative means… to hoodwink the general…
— The Independent
Higher Expectations Driving Changes in Business Class
As 2018 draws to a close, business class is approaching forty years old, we’re approaching the third decade since business class seats started evolving into beds, and a further revolution in passenger experience is well underway. First class continues its slide into the long, dark teatime of the soul, which is posing problems for many airlines. Those that…
— Airline Ratings
Lodging
Winter Wonderland: Scenic, Snowy Vacation Rentals from HomeAway
Some people hide away from blustery weather, or plan their winter vacations in tropical locales. But snow lovers are always looking for places to embrace winter and its stark beauty. HomeAway has assembled what it calls its Winter Collection, some of the vacation rental site’s best and most popular listings in scenic spots across the USA. Many of…
— USA Today
A Tour of the World's First 'Activist' Hotel in Washington D.C.
“Today feels like victory,” declares Gabrielle Tayac, an elder of Washington D.C.’s indigenous Piscataway tribe, to a cheering room. Her audience is a mix of multi-generational Native Americans, frustrated old-school DC residents and sage-burning influencers, whose sharp elbows in pursuit of an Instagram story seem decidedly un-spiritual. It’s the…
— The Independent
Other and Odd
Ruined Castles Spring Back to Life
There's something unforgettable about a ruined castle -- the way nature's seeped through the stone and rendered the structure a skeleton of its former self, haunted by history. Exploring one of the UK's many abandoned castles, you might find yourself imagining what the fortress looked like back when its turrets were intact and its moat was filled…
— CNN
Hyatt Bets Big On China For The Future Of Travel
Hyatt opened its first hotel in China in 1969 and today has grown to 58 hotels, seven brands and more than 19,000 rooms in Greater China. Over the next four years, Hyatt plans to double its presence in China with 60 hotels and 22,000 more rooms in the pipeline, representing nearly one-third of Hyatt's global development pipeline. China's…
— Forbes
Today in History
National Review
The first edition of William F. Buckley's National Review was published on this day in 1955. A former Yale debater and editor of the Yale Daily News, the young Buckley wrote "God and Man at Yale" in 1951 establishing him as a serious intellectual thinker. He raised $300,000 to…
— Travel Research Online
Editorial Musings
9 reasons to be thankful this Thanksgiving!
by John Frenaye
Monday November 19, 2018
Where did the y ear go? It seems like yesterday it was spring and we were ramping up for a busy summer travel season. I looked at the calendar and realized it was November. NOVEMBER!! And more to the point, I realized that Thanksgiving is this week! Every year, I like to look back and reflect on things for which I am thankful. Call them blessings if you will; but here is my list for 2018!
I am thankful that I figured out it was November and there is still time to get my 2019 marketing and business plans in order. Yours are,…
— Travel Research Online
Read the rest of this article »
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Publishers Corner
Implementing a Group Leader Program
by Richard Earls
Sunday November 18, 2018
Every now and t hen your average travel consultant "gets lucky" and happens across a group leader. More experienced, successful travel professionals, however, pro-actively institute group leader programs. Few methods of growing a travel practice are as tried and true as incorporating the assistance of a group leader. Yet too many travel professionals depend on chance to locate and utilize the efforts of these profitable individuals. Let's consider the possibility of actually setting out a plan to seek out, train and leverage group leaders in our communities. A few good group leaders worked into your marketing plan could make a big difference in your bottom line.
In its most common incarnation, a "pied piper" or group leader is provided with a…
— Travel Research Online
Read the rest of this article »
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Mike's Morning Missives
Coaching Works
 A huge difference between amateurs and elite performers is that the elite performers sought out teachers and coaches while they were still amateurs. They worked hard at getting better and they recognized the value of working with a coach.
The more skilled a person is at their craft, the more likely it is that they have a coach to guide them. This goes for Olympic Athletes, pro football players, musicians, TV celebrities, movie stars, and…
— 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
The Best Rail Vacations of 2018
Wednesday, December 5, 2018 at 3 pm EST/12 pm PST
Take a look back at the top destinations, trains and experiences of 2018 with Vacations By Rail. This educational discussion includes an overview of the iconic trains that make each rail journey unique, from the scenic routes to the onboard experiences and amenities.
Register Now ➠
Go Luxury in China and Asia
Tuesday, December 4, 2018 at 1 pm EST/10 am PST
Let us introduce you to new luxury products in China and Asia. The word of luxury (it may be cliche) has always been widely used in our industry.... Here's a definition of luxury that sounds much better according to Merriam- Webster Dictionary: a condition or situation of great comfort, ease, and wealth.
Register Now ➠
Advantage with WINGS
Thursday, November 29, 2018 at 1 pm EST/10 am PST
If you haven’t been using WINGS to manage your bookings, you’re working a lot harder than you need to. Learn exactly how the new WINGS booking engine makes your job easier by putting everything you need at your finger tips:
Register Now ➠
How You can Achieve Sales Success in 30 days or Less!
Tuesday, November 27, 2018 at 1 pm EST/10 am PST
If I told you that you can build a successful travel career…with little or no marketing expense, would you be interested?
Register Now ➠
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