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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
Where to Eat, Sleep, and Play in Portland, Oregon's Coolest Neighborhood
A 38-foot arch flanked by two bronze-cast lions greets you as you enter Old Town Chinatown, in downtown Portland. Venture beyond the pagoda-style gates to discover the city’s most buzzed-about borough, a rapidly-developing area that was once home to one of the country’s largest Chinese-American communities. The neighborhood has always been one of our…
— Travel+Leisure
Greece's answer to the Amalfi Coast
From colorful Parga and the stunning beaches of Sivota to the low-key port of Preveza, the Epirotic coast is dazzling. Characterized as the Greek Amalfi Coast, though with its own allure, this endless coastline dotted with seaside villages, dreamy beaches, mountain villages, archaeological sites and amazing landscapes is still widely…
— CNN
When to Go Where in 2019
We all want to get the most and pay the least when we’re booking flights, hotel rooms or rental cars, but when it comes to locking down the best rates, many factors are at play. With flights and hotels, it’s usually supply and demand. New flight routes also play a role in whether you can score a business-class upgrade affordably, or you’re stuck spending a ton…
— New York Times
Tours and Activities
The city defined by kebabs
Istanbul maybe the city where continents meet, but it's also where they meat -- its chaos of culinary influences defined by their myriad recipes for the famous Turkish kebab. It's made a superstar out of one meat-loving chef, Internet sensation Salt Bae, and continues to tantalize the taste buds of millions of visitors every year. Food and the hospitality that goes with it,…
— CNN
9 Quirky Travel Experiences Under $150
Have you heard of forest bathing? Have you ever done it? If you’re tired of the same-old crowded tourist traps, you might want to check it out and other unique things to do that won’t break the bank on your next trip. TripAdvisor Experiences released a list of some of the world’s quirkiest budget travel experiences, from go-kart touring to ice floating. Here are…
— NerdWallet
Cruise
Coast Guard halts search for missing cruise crewmember
The Coast Guard has ended the search for a crewmember from a cruise ship in the Atlantic Ocean off Florida's coast. According to the Royal Caribbean cruise line, co-workers saw the 26-year-old crewmember go overboard from the Majesty of the Seas early Thursday. The ship was about 40 miles (65 kilometers) east of Florida's Hillsboro Inlet and sailing to…
— San Francisco Chronicle
Travelmarvel to Launch Three New River Cruise Ships for Australians
Travelmarvel today announced the order of three new European river ships. Sailing on Travelmarvel’s European Gems itinerary from Amsterdam to Budapest and vice versa, the first of the brand-new Contemporary Class vessels will commence sailing in April 2020, with the two sister ships setting sail in April 2021. “Every aspect of the new ships are designed with…
— CruiseCritic.com
Transportation
Amid Government Shutdown, Air Travel Union Leaders Raise Safety Concerns
A little more than two weeks ago, 34 air travel unions released a joint statement, saying that the government shutdown—during which "most of the FAA staff who certify the safety of aircraft have been furloughed and safety reporting and oversight systems have been suspended"—was bringing with it high safety risk for the flying public. Now, 13 days later—and 33…
— Conde Nast Traveler
FAA: Flights delayed at 3 major airports due to 'staffing' issues amid government shutdown
Flights at three major airports were being delayed Friday because of an increase in air traffic control employees calling in sick as the government shutdown continued. The Federal Aviation Administration’s flight delay map showed significant departure delays at Philadelphia and Newark, New Jersey, on Friday morning. Lesser delays also showed at New York LaGuardia.…
— USA Today
Lodging
Hotel fires robot staff after guest complaints
The robot revolution is already underway, from automation to mechanical pets to machines that do just about anything a human can do. And while robotics may be the way of the future, it has more than a few of us worried that humans might eventually become obsolete, another victim of modernization. But we got some good news this week, in the form of pink…
— Fox Travel News
Why is hotel coffee so awful?
When it comes to hotel coffee, maybe it's time to wake up and smell it. Something smells, alright. Blame cheap, substandard coffee makers, low-quality coffee and sloppy housekeeping for an epidemic of bad hotel brew. But you can find a decent cup of joe on your next trip if you know where to look. How important is hotel coffee? Very important, according to a survey by…
— USA Today
Other and Odd
These Are the Best Electric Toothbrushes to Pack, According to Travelers
While your toothbrush is probably one of the first things you add to your packing list, it’s likely also the one you put the least amount of thought into. It’s easy to just grab and go for manual toothbrush users, but for those of us who prefer the cleaning power of electric toothbrushes, a little more planning is necessary. Since electric toothbrushes can clean more plaque…
— Travel+Leisure
Will Travel For Food: Instagram Star Brian Lindo's Favorite Culinary City
You can probably guess what Brian Lindo’s Instagram Brian Can’t Stop Eating is about and yes, you will get hungry looking at it. As the name indicates, his account is filled with pictures of him enjoying pizza, burgers, desserts, pasta and much more at a wide range of restaurants. Growing up in a Jamaican household, family meals always played a central role in his home…
— Forbes
Nepal Helicopter Rescue 'Scams’ Are Costing Lives, Claim Travel Experts
Stop the scams involving helicopter evacuations or we will exclude Nepal from coverage: that is the message from the travel insurance industry to the government of the Himalayan nation. A trio of insurance underwriters have given the tourism minister in Kathmandu, Rabindra Prasad Adhikari, an ultimatum. Between them they cover over 100,000 visitors annually…
— The Independent
Today in History
The League of Nations
On January 25th, 1919, the Paris Peace conference approved a proposal to create the League of Nations to sustain lasting peace after the horrors of World War I. In June of that year, 44 nations signed the Covenant of the League of Nations. However, the United States would not join,…
— Travel Research Online
Press Releases of Interest
Collette Announces New Executive Vice President Of Revenue Management & Pricing
Pawtucket, RI (January 10, 2019) – Collette, Rhode Island based international tour operator, announces the promotion of Jeff Roy to Executive Vice President of Revenue Management & Pricing. In this role, Jeff will continue to lead the Revenue Management and pricing…
— Travel Research Online
Deck Plans
Tauck Announces New Douro River Ship
Tauck has annou nced that it will offer its first-ever cruises on the Douro River in Portugal next year. Tauck will feature three new Douro River itineraries aboard a riverboat that’s being designed and built specifically for the Douro.
Carrying 84 guests, the new ms Andorinha will offer suites, spacious public areas, and an intimate ambiance that results from having fewer guests on board. As on Tauck riverboats fleet-wide, the new build will be staffed by a Tauck Cruise Director and three Tauck Director…
— Travel Research Online
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Mike's Morning Missives
What’s Your Deal?
 I recently heard this phrase on a new Two and a Half Men show, spoken by Ashton what’s-his-name. It caught my attention and created a giggle.
He was referring to Allen’s son, Jake, as “having no deal.” Or, by my interpretation…no story…no message…no focus…no direction…“no deal.”
So, what’s your…
— Travel Research Online
Read the rest of this article »
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Upcoming Training Opportunities
Fly the Dream of Africa with RwandAir
Tuesday, February 12, 2019 at 3 pm EST/12 pm PST
Operating from Kigali, Rwanda as our hub at the heart of Africa, RwandAir is one of the fastest growing airlines and operates one of the youngest and state of the art fleet on the African continent.
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You CAN Compete with Costco Travel!
Thursday, January 31, 2019 at 3 pm EST/12 pm PST
Nothing is more frustrating than when your client tells you they called Costco.
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