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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
US Updates Warning Over China Travel, Urging 'Increased Caution'
The U.S. State Department on Thursday updated its travel warning about China, urging Americans to "exercise increased caution" in the country "due to arbitrary enforcement of local laws as well as special restrictions on dual U.S.-Chinese nationals." The State Department's "Level 2" warning, which was first issued last year, noted that Chinese authorities…
— CNBC
Why Panama Is the Place to Go in 2019
Panama takes its parties seriously, and 2019 could mark the country’s most evolved fiesta yet. Panama City—the oldest continuously occupied European settlement on the Pacific coast of the Americas—is turning 500. Ancient walls, glassy skyscrapers, and a mix of African, Native Panamanian, and Spanish cultures have all played a part in forming the…
— Vogue
Tours and Activities
History, Art and Dogs Get Their Due At Museums Opening this Year
The new year brings new opportunities for travelers with the opening and expansion of museums in cities large and small. This year will continue a trend of museums targeting niche audiences with displays and subjects that are “specialized, experiential and focused on connecting to the visitor on a personal level,”…
— USA Today
Forget Stars’ Homes. The Newest Tours Visit Pot Growers and Bong Makers
In Napa and Sonoma, tour bus operators ferry oenophiles between tasting rooms and vineyards. In Hollywood and environs, they shepherd the starstruck past the homes of the rich and famous. Now they're giving customers a mind-expanding look at one of Los Angeles’ burgeoning industries: pot. Since recreational use of marijuana became legal a year…
— LA Times
Cruise
City of New Orleans Paddlewheeler to Start Cruising This Month. See inside.
A new paddlewheeler is set to start offering Mississippi River trips this month in New Orleans. The Associated Press was given the first look at the boat, called the City of New Orleans. The paddlewheeler is coming full circle, back to the state where it was built in 1991. For years it operated as a casino boat in Rock Island, Illinois, until the mid-1990s.…
— NOLA.com
Here's How to Book a Cruise Through Costco
A Costco membership comes with advantages beyond the ability to shop in the company's warehouses. Among other benefits, Costco members can purchase travel accommodations through Costco Travel, which allows members to shop for cruises, hotels, rental cars, and vacation packages. Through Costco Travel, members can search for cruises offered by 12 cruise lines…
— Business Insider
Transportation
Air Travel May Be Less Safe During the Government Shutdown, Federal Inspectors Warn
Federal aviation safety inspectors haven’t been inspecting anything for the last two weeks because of the government shutdown. Deemed nonessential workers, the inspectors say they’re anything but. Holding signs saying, “Was your airplane properly repaired and inspected today? The FAA does not know!” at Miami International Airport…
— Miami Herald
The World's Most Punctual Airline Revealed
If your New Year's resolution for 2019 is to waste less time, here's some news that could help. Travel analyst OAG has just revealed its Punctuality League for 2019, naming the airlines and airports with the world's best timekeeping. If you've ever spent hours drifting around duty free or sitting forlornly on your suitcase, this could be the first good news of the year -- at least if you're flying in Latin…
— CNN
Lodging
Airbnb Scores a Legal Victory In Its Biggest National Market
A federal court decision Thursday blocking a new law that would curb Airbnb in its biggest market marks a significant win for the home-sharing company as it battles regulatory crackdowns throughout the country. Airbnb — long a foe of many New York lawmakers and affordable housing advocates — filed a lawsuit in August against new city regulations…
— Politico
The Most Exciting Mexico Hotel Openings In 2019
Another year means a spate of new hotels opening across the globe. Even in the U.S., places like New York, Los Angeles, and diverse cities from Detroit to Austin will all welcome myriad new properties to entice travelers to their streets. South of the border, Mexico remains a popular destination for visitors looking for everything from a sun-soaked, relaxing beach getaway…
— Forbes
Other and Odd
Travel Will Change for the Better This Year—Here’s How
Travel trends come and go, but when we polled more than a dozen leading industry professionals to ask them what travel will look like in 2019, all reports pointed to a single commonality: intention. “More than ever people want to travel with a greater sense of purpose,” says Deborah Calmeyer, CEO and founder of Africa travel specialist Roar Africa.…
— National Geographic
Bold Predictions for Biz Travel
Happy New Year, etc. In case you missed it during your well-deserved and refreshing holiday break, Flight Centre made a move in Silicon Valley. Australian agencies see the U.S. as a massive growth opportunity, particularly in corporate…
— Skift
Online Marketplaces Gaining Momentum in Tours Booking Race
Tour and activity bookings through online marketplaces increased in 2018 compared to 2017, according to a report from TrekkSoft. The tours technology specialist says total bookings made directly via operator websites went from 79% in 2017 to 67% in 2018, while the percentage of total bookings going to online marketplaces increased from 3.2% to 9.1%.…
— PhocusWire
Today in History
A Botched Arrest Foils the King
Charles I was King of England, Scotland, and Ireland in 1642. These were not happy times for the monarchy. A rising Protestant movement and resentment against Charles' belief in the "divine right of kings", along with the levying of taxes without Parliament's consent caused much discontent.…
— Travel Research Online
Agent Perspectives
Wedgwood, Wells, Quilts, Tea and Cakes
by Paull Tickner
Friday January 04, 2019
Happy New Year! For me, 2019 got off to a great start with a travel agent request for 6 older ladies who want to go to the Festival of Quilts (Birmingham 1st-4th August). After a quick-fire volley of bright ideas from me, they are now flying from Atlanta to the user-friendly northern gateway of Manchester for a series of imaginative and memorable visits which include
— Travel Research Online
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Deck Plans
Cunard 2020 Alaska Voyages
Cunard will spe nd a full season in Alaska from June through to September in 2020 on the newly-refurbished ship, Queen Elizabeth. The cruise line is making its return to Alaska in May 2019, after a 20-year break, and will double its program in 2020.
This expanded program will offer ten roundtrip sailings departing Vancouver, ranging from nine to twelve nights, plus one cruise to San Francisco including an overnight stay on Independence Day.
Each Alaska voyage will feature destinations along the Northwest Pacific coast of Alaska and British Columbia including Skagway, Juneau, Ketchikan, Sitka, and more.
— Travel Research Online
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Mike's Morning Missives
Lifetime Value
 A mistake that many sales professionals make involves being shortsighted when it comes to seeing the overall future value of their customers.
With easy blame pointing toward a tough economy, growing competition, and too many suppliers appearing to do an end run on your customers, agents try to rush the sale to fatten their wallets. I am afraid this may be interpreted as pushy and will hurt your good intentions more often than not.
Sometimes, it just makes sense to back off…slow down…take in the big picture…and try to become the exception. Try to see each new customer as the potential annuity they truly…
— Travel Research Online
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Upcoming Training Opportunities
Taiwan is unforgettable with Super Value Tours
Thursday, January 10, 2019 at 3 pm EST/12 pm PST
Once known as Formosa, the island of Taiwan is one of the most sought out travel destinations in East Asia. With so much culture and history to the area, it is sure to provide an experience unlike any other for all types of travelers.
Register Now ➠
South Africa with Goway Travel and South African Airways
Wednesday, January 9, 2019 at 3 pm EST/12 pm PST
Learn about South African Airways, the largest airline in Southern Africa. SAA offers convenient connections from more than 100 cities in North America and daily non-stops from New York JFK and daily direct service from Washington Dulles with connections to over 75 destinations on the continent.
Register Now ➠
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