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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
52 Places to Go in 2019
A year and a half after Hurricane Maria slammed into this United States territory and other Caribbean islands with devastating force, Puerto Rico is on the rebound. The number of daily flights is still below normal, but tourism officials say that cruise ship traffic is healthy, hotel room occupancy is climbing back to pre-hurricane…
— New York Times
How to visit New York City on the cheap
If you’ve always wanted to see New York City but thought it was too expensive, January is the perfect time to go. It’s officially low season now the peak dates of Christmas and New Year are out the way. Until early March, the city will receive fewer visitors, meaning prices are lower (as are temperatures – but don’t let that put you…
— The Independent
Tours and Activities
2019's most-anticipated new thrill rides and theme-park attractions
There’s no getting around it. What’s most anticipated at theme parks this year – and we’re talking intergalactic Anticipation with a capital “A” – are the two new Star Wars lands at the Disney parks. If you haven’t heard much about them yet, you will as The Mouse will surely supercharge its synergy synapses and hightail the hype into…
— USA Today
An expert guide to Copenhagen
Copenhagen always ranks highly in surveys of the world’s best cities, and little wonder. Size certainly helps: it’s big enough to have world-class museums, restaurants and attractions; small enough to make them easily accessible. Then there’s its unerring ability to blend quaint and cool: one minute you’re in Indre By or…
— Telegraph (London)
Cruise
Holy Ship! EDM cruise passengers arrested on drug charges
For the second year in a row, an EDM party cruise disembarking from Port Canaveral, Florida, ended in a swath of drug charges for passengers from across the country who had hoped to spend the weekend aboard the Norwegian Epic. The Holy Ship! cruise was scheduled for Jan. 5-9 with a second leg Jan. 9-12. In January…
— USA Today
New Year Starts with 124 Cruise Ship Orderbook
January 2019 has opened with 124 ships on the forward-looking cruise ship orderbook, extending through 2027. The 268,736 berths on order represent an orderbook value of $69.3 billion, according to Cruise Industry News estimates in the 2019 Annual Report. Compared to a year ago, the 2018 orderbook opened at 91 vessels, with the industry…
— Cruise Industry News
Transportation
7 things you always think when you get your airline meal
Plane food doesn’t exactly have the best of reputations, but United Airlines is banking on it having a fair few fans. It’s released a cookbook of its onboard recipes, so you can recreate the experience at home for just $29.99 (€26.16) But be warned – if you do rustle up some of these meals, they might not taste quite like when you’re up in the…
— Irish Examiner
The Most Beautiful Winter Train Routes in North America
Winter can be a magical time, so why spend those precious moments at home? Or worse, in the airport security line? Instead, a scenic winter train ride is an excellent way to not only get to the destination you desire, but also to see the most beautiful views and stops you wouldn’t have thought of along the way. Sure, train travel takes a little bit longer, but the benefits can be…
— Travel+Leisure
Lodging
The Hotel Fees That Barely Even Make Sense
The push by hotels to swamp travelers with fees is expanding: The fees you used to only find at resorts are moving downtown. Many big-city hotels are adding mandatory facility fees or urban-destination fees to hotel bills, hiding the add-ons, which sometimes reach $50 a night, from advertised room rates. The Boston Park Plaza…
— The Wall Street Journal
The Most Exciting Hotel Openings In Asia In 2019
Now that we are well into 2019, it is time to look at the year ahead in hotel openings. Cities across the globe can expect an influx of new properties to debut, with options ranging from budget to ultra-luxury. Asia, in particular, will be home to a plethora of new luxury hotels that are sure to top jetsetters’ must-visit lists. Here are just a few of the most exciting to check…
— Forbes
Other and Odd
How The Travel Industry Is Driving Biometric Security Innovation
We just survived the most wonderful time of the year -- holiday travel season. In 2017, the U.S. Department of Transportation reported 72.3 million airline passengers in December alone. With a high volume of passengers, prices are higher and crowds are inevitable -- and the experience of air travel isn’t as easy and comfortable as it once…
— Forbes
Google Assistant Now Has a Bunch of New Travel Features
As we get closer and closer to Google planning entire trips for us, the tech giant announced upgrades to its Google Assistant today at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas that will make certain aspects of travel easier, and hands free. If you're unfamiliar with Google Assistant, it's the little helper on Android and iPhones…
— Conde Nast Traveler
How to set yourself up to meet all your travel goals
After the frenetic pace of the holiday season, getting back to the routine of January can feel like a blessing. But that feeling won’t last forever, and by early spring many of us are yearning for vacation again. If you want to avoid the panicked-travel-booking trap in February (“anything that’s cheap in six weeks”), or you’re determined to make this the year…
— Quartz
Today in History
The RMS Queen Elizabeth Burns and Sinks
The Cunard Line, then known as the Cunard White Star Line launched the RMS Queen Elizabeth in 1938. Named for Queen Elizabeth (not the current Queen but her mother) the RMS Queen Elizabeth was the largest passenger liner ever built, a record she held for 56 years. During World War II she was pressed into service as a troopship along with her sister vessel, the RMS Queen…
— Travel Research Online
Press Releases of Interest
‘New Year New Career’ Kicks Off 2019
FRAMINGHAM, MA, January 8, 2019 – The Travel Institute is kicking off 2019 with its New Year New Career focus on new agent training and specialization in continued support of the influx of new agents entering the travel industry and for experienced advisors looking to continue their…
— Travel Research Online
Point-to-Point
Essential Adventures in Sydney, Australia
by Joseph DeLoach
Wednesday January 09, 2019
Surrounded by a sparkling harbor and beaches, Sydney wows year-round visitors with its world-class attractions and access to unique and natural beauty. Fortunately, travelers looking for Sydney shore excursions have plenty to choose from. Attractions like the Royal Botanical Gardens and the Opera House are nearby, while Sydney day trips to the Hunter Valley unveils some of the world’s most popular wines. The best things to do in Sydney are an easy shore excursion away.
Take a Sydney City Tour
— Travel Research Online
Read the rest of this article »
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Mike's Morning Missives
Are You Still Competitive?
 With an increasing number of home-based travel agencies, coupled with a growing number of travel management options, competition for the traveler’s dollar is as competitive as ever. But many agencies, and in particular their owners, are not very successful in marketing their travel services.
Moreover, the agency glut has led to a buyers market. It appears that fewer and fewer agencies are willing to accept the challenge and are beginning to seek shelter from larger, better-connected organizations. But even these groups are not immune to growing competitive pressures.
A suggestion: The amateurs need to decide if they are going to get into the game—or get out. It is time to make a real commitment. It’s as simple as that. Those in the business for the travel benefits…
— Travel Research Online
Read the rest of this article »
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Upcoming Training Opportunities
Small Group Touring through Europe
Thursday, January 17, 2019 at 3 pm EST/12 pm PST
Join us for an informative webinar as we learn more about Small Group Touring with the newly rebranded, Blue-Roads Touring Co! Within this webinar, we will uncover the story behind their new North American name, Blue-Roads Touring Co, explore their 6 key selling features to help you sell more effectively and efficiently, gain insight into their European and Asia tour portfolio, and finish with an exciting announcement on a new destination coming this summer!
Register Now ➠
Best National Park Vacations
Wednesday, January 16, 2019 at 3 pm EST/12 pm PST
Join Vacations By Rail’s Best National Park Vacations webinar and uncover the top-rated adventures and experiences to America’s treasures and natural wonders.
Register Now ➠
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 ➠
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