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
These Are the 19 Most Popular Travel Destinations of 2019, According to Airbnb
For those of you thinking about your next vacation but are drawing a blank on where to go, we’re here to help. Airbnb just released a list of their 19 top-trending destinations for 2019 (19 for 2019...get it?) to give you some inspiration to help you plan your next trip, and to offer a healthy dose of…
— Maxim
Explore Wonderful Indonesia
A gem of a travel destination, Indonesia is among one of the most beautiful countries in the world. Featuring breathtakingly beautiful sceneries and a unique culture, Indonesia also ranks among the most fascinating countries and has long been a favourite destination for…
— Star2.com
Tours and Activities
Find Out More About Greece's History and Culture
A road trip is the most romantic way for the discerning modern traveller to explore a region, especially if you have to share the road with the occasional herd of goats. Epirus, the wild mountainous region with a latticework coastline in northwest Greece, boasts…
— Telegraph (London)
Mauritius named Golfing Destination of the Year
Mauritius was named Golf Destination of the Year for Africa, Indian Ocean and the Gulf States at the IAGTO awards in Slovenia recently. It won the same accolade in 2016. Known for its tropical island allure, with glittering cerulean waters, picture-perfect beaches…
— IOL Travel
Cruise
A Cruise Ship Struck a Key West Mooring. Now No Ships Can Dock There for Three Months
A Silversea Silver Spirit cruise ship Nov. 27, 2018, struck a mooring at Mallory Square in Key West and did enough damage to cause officials to have to close the port of call for at least three months. The crash was caused by heavy sustained winds, city officials said, and the ship was able to eventually get underway that…
— Miami Herald
Royal Caribbean Dropping DreamWorks Experience on Cruise Ships
Royal Caribbean has issued an update on their family programming and the cruise line will no longer offer the DreamWorks Experience on the nine cruise ships where the program is currently offered. This change goes into effect beginning with April 2019…
— Cruise Fever
Transportation
Here Is Every Major New Airline Route Launched This Week
As usual, many routes were launched this past week. This week saw a total of 38 new routes launched across the globe by airlines from Air New Zealand to Wizz Air. Simple Flying takes a look at all of the new routes…
— Simply Flying
Airlines Warned They Must Put Passengers on Rival Carriers if Flights are Cancelled
The governing body of Britain’s skies has written to the UK’s major airlines to remind them of their responsibility to pay for passengers impacted by cancellations to travel on the next available flight - even if it’s on a rival carrier. The Civil Aviation Authority…
— Telegraph (London)
Lodging
See the Hotel Bedrooms Voted the Sexiest in the World
Imagine having the enviable job of travelling the world to review hotels, in particular hotel bedrooms. Well, that is what Tamara Lohan and her husband James have been doing for the past 15 years, since they established Mr & Mrs Smith, a travel club for hotel…
— Lonely Planet
Cease-fire in City of Miami’s Airbnb Battle Appears Likely After Appeals Court Reversal
An appeals court has sided with the City of Miami over Airbnb, giving the city the go-ahead to punish hundreds of Airbnb hosts accused of illegally renting their homes on the site. But both sides see Wednesday’s decision as more of a cease-fire in the battle over short-term…
— Miami Herald
Other and Odd
The Amazing Ways TUI Uses Blockchain To Revolutionize The Travel Industry
Blockchain is the latest innovation to take over vacation planning. It's expected to disrupt the industry as much as when Expedia, Airbnb, and Priceline took vacation planning online. German company TUI Group, the world’s largest tourism…
— Forbes
Nine Tips to Travel Better with Children During the Holidays
Millions of North Americans travel for the holidays to spend time with family and friends, many with children in tow. Of those travelers who responded to a recent Travel Leaders Group Travel Trends survey, 61 percent say they will fly to their holiday…
— Yahoo
What the Millennial Market Wants From the Travel Industry
Keeping up with global trends is hugely important for South African companies involved in the tourism industry. If we want to encourage more foreigners to visit our shores, we have to listen to what they want. That’s why I attended the World Travel Market trade event in London in November this year.…
— IOL Business Report
Today in History
Pearl Harbor
On December 7, 1941, three waves of Japanese aircraft left their base of sea carriers stationed north of Hawaii. The Japanese Imperial General Headquarters ordered the attack to coincide with a declaration of war delivered to the United States Department of War in Washington, DC. The surprise attack sank four U.S. Navy…
— Travel Research Online
Press Releases of Interest
SOUTH AFRICAN AIRWAYS HONORED AS AFRICA’S BEST BY BUSINESS TRAVELER MAGAZINE
Fort Lauderdale, FL (December 4, 2018) – South African Airways (SAA), a Skytrax 4-Star rated
airline for 16 consecutive years, has been honored by Business Traveler magazine’s readers as “Best
Business Class to Africa” and “Best Airline in Africa” in the magazine’s annual survey. This year marks the
10th consecutive year that SAA has been selected as “Best Airline in Africa” and the 9th consecutive year
as “Best Business Class to Africa” by the publication’s readers. Business Traveler is one of the leading
publications for the frequent global business travelers.…
— Travel Research Online
Deck Plans
Avid Travel With Britton Frost: Celebrity Edge, Part 2
Before sailing on Celebrity Edge, I wrote an article highlighting what I thought would be my favorite venues and spaces on the ship. From The Club to Eden, I looked at all the information I could gather to figure out what I may want to do aboard the ship. I felt great about my list at the time that I wrote it, and could not have been surer that the spots I detailed were going to be the best venues on the ship. Was I correct? Listen below to find out.
Join me on this week’s episode of Avid Travel With Britton Frost. This episode is all about my time aboard Celebrity Edge.
— Travel Research Online Read the rest of this article »
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Mike's Morning Missives
How to Get the Most From a Trade Show
Despite the fact that the travel industry puts on numerous trade shows, most people on both sides of the exhibit table fail to take full advantage of this marketing opportunity. Attending trade shows without making the best possible return on your investment in time (and money) is a luxury you can’t afford. Adhering to a simple strategy can ensure that your next trade show will be a worthwhile experience.
Consider the opportunities available within the exhibit area. Exhibitors are there to meet key prospects. At trade shows you do not have to work very hard to do that. People are standing in the middle of the large room virtually screaming ”Talk to me.”
In addition, opportunities are available for making personal connections with key people beyond the…
— 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 Ultimate China Experience with Super Value Tours
Tuesday, December 11, 2018 at 2 pm EST/11 am PST
A good China tour is hard to come by, a GREAT one even harder. That’s why Super Value Tours has designed High Quality-NO-Shopping tours for all travelers.
Register Now ➠
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