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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
Bali considers a tourist tax
As one of the world's most beautiful islands, Bali is known for lush beaches, historic temples and UNESCO-listed rice fields.
But its world-renowned beauty has also caused problems for Bali as the island copes with overtourism. According to data from the Indonesian government, Bali -- the country's most-visited island -- hosted 5.7 million international visitors in…
— CNN
How the Chinese fell in love with the Highlands
The vast, wild landscapes of the Scottish Highlands have long lured tourists, but now a visit is becoming something of a status symbol among China’s growing number of middle-class or wealthy families. In 2017, of the 337,000 visitors from China who travelled to the UK, 62,000 went to Scotland, an almost sixfold increase since 2009, according to VisitScotland. Edinburgh…
— The Guardian
Tours and Activities
The Chefs Transforming the Washington D.C. Food Scene: Women Who Travel Podcast
Washington D.C. is a draw for a lot of reasons—the monuments, the museums, the buzz of politics ringing through the air—but until recently, the restaurant scene just wasn’t one of them. Not any more. In fact, it isn't just booming, it’s diversifying, too. Some of the most coveted tables right now are at spots serving up Chinese-Korean hybrid dishes, plates of…
— Conde Nast Traveler
Underwater theme park opening in Bahrain
The Persian gulf country of Bahrain is hoping to attract divers from across the globe with a new "underwater theme park" -- an expansive diving site spanning 100,000 square meters with some unusual features. The centerpiece of this underwater extravaganza? A sunken Boeing 747. It might be of dubious taste -- but that's not putting the project managers off…
— CNN
You Can Visit a Retirement Home for Sloths in the U.K.
Everyone deserves to live their best life well into their retirement years. And that includes a few furry sloths, too. Folly Farm Adventure Park and Zoo, located in Wales, announced in late 2018 that it planned to open its doors to aging sloths that were previously on display at other zoos. And now, they’ve done just that with a pair of two-toed sloths: a 24-year-old male…
— Travel+Leisure
Cruise
River Cruise Line Tauck Reveals New Portugal Itineraries, Purpose-Built Ship
Is Portugal on your bucket list? Luxury river cruise line Tauck has revealed it will offer Douro River cruises for the first time ever, on a new riverboat debuting in 2020. Named Andorinha -- after a species of swallow that symbolizes family, home and fidelity in Portugal -- the new riverboat is being built specifically for the Douro River. It will have unique design…
— CruiseCritic.com
Bahamas Paradise Cruise Line lets furloughed federal workers aboard for free
Bahamas Paradise Cruise Line is the latest company to roll out the red carpet for furloughed federal workers. The Bahamas cruise specialist says federal employees affected by the government shutdown who happen to be in the area of its South Florida hub can stop by for a free buffet lunch on one of its ships. They also can stick around for a free afternoon of fun…
— USA Today
Transportation
Flights suspended at major US travel hub over multiple drone sightings
Flights were suspended at one of the US's busiest international airports on Tuesday evening after multiple sightings of drones at an adjacent airstrip. Two unmanned aircraft were seen at Teterboro Airport, a private facility next to New Jersey's Newark International, with one pilot telling air traffic controllers that a drone passed within 30ft (9m) of his…
— The Independent
More snow: 2,000 cancellations since Tuesday, Detroit halts flights
Old Man Winter isn’t done creating headaches for air travelers. Another storm has snarled flights across the Midwest, coming just days after an earlier storm caused thousands of flight cancellations from the Great Plains into the Northeast. Airlines are waiving change fees for several airports in the path of the latest storm, dubbed “Winter Storm Indra” by The…
— USA Today
Lodging
One-man wrecking crew targets British hotel for allegedly not being paid
British police are questioning a man in connection to the demolition-derby attack on an under-construction hotel that was captured in viral video, authorities said Tuesday. The man behind controls of an excavator was recorded ramming through the front doors of a future Travelodge hotel in Liverpool on Monday afternoon and tearing apart what would be its…
— NBC News
ADA lawsuits targeting hotels’ websites for not disclosing how accessible they are
A Fort Lauderdale woman and her attorney who have reached settlements with at least 20 hotels and motels in Florida over the businesses’ websites not explaining how their properties meet the needs of people with disabilities have set their sights on two Keys resorts. Cheri Honeywell and her attorney, Jessica Kerr, of the Advocacy Group in Fort Lauderdale, filed lawsuits…
— Miami Herald
Other and Odd
What Adam Conover Can’t Travel Without
The comedian Adam Conover has made a name for himself by upturning cultural norms and assumptions. His myth-busting television show, “Adam Ruins Everything,” is in its third season on TruTV. Mr. Conover’s episode on air travel led him to some interesting findings. “I, like so many people, a few years ago got sucked into the frequent flier-mile game,” he…
— New York Times
7 key changes travelers can expect in 2019
The new year is already bringing new challenges for travelers, as well as new questions. According to industry experts willing to prognosticate, the coming 12 months will usher in a mix of good news, bad news and uncertain news. For anyone planning to travel in 2019, it pays to consider their…
— USA Today
How the Food and Beverage Industry is Revolutionising India's Travel Sector
It is estimated that in 2020 the industry’s valuation is expected to reach USD 142 Billion, as opposed to just slightly over USD 30 Billion in 2015. This phenomenal growth is a result of India’s ever increasing standard of living, brought about by the era of unprecedented economic growth following the 1991 liberalisation reforms. For decades, all growth in this sector has…
— Entrepreneur
Mike's Morning Missives
Are You a Member Of A Friendly Zoo?
 A recent experience reminded me of the concept of the “friendly zoo” as it relates to customer service. I will try to make my story meaningful to you.
I once purchased some electronic equipment from a reputable mail-order outfit in the Midwest. The buying experience went without hitch and I was more than pleased with the product when it arrived.
Fast forward ten or more years. I answered the phone and was greeted by a representative of the aforementioned company with a courtesy call. I politely thanked the salesman and informed him I was not a good prospect as I did not buy microphones more than once in my lifetime. We did in fact have a very nice conversation for about 6-8…
— Travel Research Online
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