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Thursday December 20, 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

Luxury for Less in This Must-Visit Asian Destination
Set in Singapore, this year's box office hit "Crazy Rich Asians" may be part of the reason why the vibrant island city-state in Asia with a population of 5.5 million seems to have suddenly become a must-visit destination. According to the Singapore Tourism…

Could You Ever Really Consider Saudi Arabia as a Holiday Destination?
It is traditional, at this time of year, for travel sections to run articles discussing new or pertinent destinations for the coming 12 months. Some of them will be well-known sun-spots given fresh relevance by a hotel opening or a resort…

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Tours and Activities

10 Very Special Travel Experiences You Can Gift
Whether you've waited too long to buy a present because you wanted something just so — or are merely procrastinating (as usual), you and your special someone will like this selection of specialty adventures, activities, and next-level experiences that don't need to be wrapped and hidden in your closet until…

The Best Destinations Of 2018 — According To Travel Personalities, Writers, And Photographers
Like any other industry, the world of travel is shaped by trends. This is particularly true in the Instagram era — when a few photos by prominent personalities can lead to entire islands shutting down. Backpacking tastemakers…

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Cruise

Cruise Line: Autistic Man Climbed Deck Rail, Went Overboard
An autistic man missing at sea since Sunday, when he disappeared from a Carnival Cruise Line ship traveling from Alabama to the western Caribbean, went overboard after climbing over a deck rail, the company said Wednesday. The family says he is presumed…

Cruise Bosses Urge: ‘Focus on Customer Attitudes, Not Age’
Leading cruise figures urged agents new to the sector to focus on attitude rather than age when trying to attract clients to sail. Anthony Daniels, UK general manager of Hurtigruten, urged travel consultants to be “really careful” not to target particular age groups…

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Transportation

United Airlines Adds 11 Routes Amid 'Record' Network Expansion
United Airlines announced a slew of new routes Wednesday amid what the carrier says is a “record” expansion of its network. The 11 new routes are a mix of seasonal and year-round routes that will start when United’s summer schedule begins June…

How to Get Compensation if Your Flight Goes Wrong
Your flight is cancelled, overbooked or delayed. What, if anything, does the airline owe you? This Q&A aims to help you understand when you are entitled to care and/or compensation, and when you just have to put a dismal aviation episode down to…

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Lodging

See The Best Designed Hotel In Every State
You can only go on so many vacations which is why when you do you should be staying at a hotel that’s not just relaxing — it’s also pretty look at. Luckily we did all the hard work for you and compared hundreds of hotels to find the best designed in every…

Minimalist Shipping Container Hotel Can Travel Around the World
The premise of a hotel is simple: Build a beautiful building in a sought-after location, and visitors will come. The French hotel group AccorHotels is upending that concept with the Flying Nest, a humble but stylish traveling hotel built from shipping…

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Other and Odd

African American Travel Represents $63 Billion Opportunity
The second study in a series documenting the impact of African American travelers demonstrates their growing contribution to the United States travel and tourism economy to the tune of $63 billion in 2018. The new study, completed by Mandala…

The Most Dangerous Countries in the World for Travel in 2019 Revealed
The most dangerous countries in the world have been revealed for 2019. If you're booking a holiday for the New Year, you may want to read this. Major tourists destinations are among the countries considered the most dangerous in the world to travel…

Today in History

The Berlin Wall Opens For The First Time
On this day in 1963, communist East Germany and the republic of West Germany came to an agreement to allow the wall between the two halves of the country to be opened. The decision was made in the spirit of Christmas, to allow families affected by the construction of the Berlin Wall two and a half years prior…

Press Releases of Interest

The Discoverer Network Brings Successful Combination of Technology and Innovation to the Travel Space
MIAMI, FL – December 18, 2018 – Just over a year from its launch into the travel arena, The Discoverer Network today announced the major milestone of surpassing 2.2 million active and highly engaged verified travel consumer members. This affiliated group of travel-focused brands is also pleased to announce the addition of travel industry innovator, Annette Hogan, who has been tapped to steer growth as Senior Director of…

TRO SMITH

Top Social Tactics to Ring in the New Year

It’s that time of year again! Bring out the mistletoe, the Santa Hat and the New Year party favors!

Has 2018 has flown by for you? Our industry has the habit of moving faster than Santa’s sleigh on a cold night, and social marketing seems to move even more quickly than Santa’s elves on caffeine. Here’s the social marketing highlights, in case you missed anything in the whirlwind that was 2018.

ICYMI – In Case You Missed…

  — Travel Research Online
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Spotlight

HAR 2.0 with Host Agency Reviews
by Joseph DeLoach
Thursday December 20, 2018

Stephanie Lee

After a 6 year stretch as director of a national host agency, Stephanie Lee started Host Agency Reviews – a resource website with host reviews and articles to help travel agents start and grow their travel agencies. She was awarded the ASTA’s Young Professional of the Year and Travel Agent Magazine’s 30 under 30 award. As time marches on, the dates of the awards have been surreptitiously left out to avoid drawing attention to the fact she’s aging. She’s…

  — Travel Research Online
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Mike's Morning Missives

How to Maintain Visibility in Over Communicated Marketplace

When you are out of sight you are out of mind.” Today I would like to reinforce the concept of repetition. Here are four reminders as they relate to this topic:

Repetition implies permanence…and staying power wins trust. If the prospect senses you are here to stay, their confidence and comfort levels go up, and suddenly a purchase is…
  — Travel Research Online
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