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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 raises travel advisory for Venezuela to highest level: 'Do Not Travel'
The U.S. State Department has increased its travel advisory for Venezuela to its highest level of warning -- "Level 4: Do Not Travel." This places the South American country, embroiled in an economic and political crisis, in the same category as countries like North Korea, Syria, Iran and Somalia. The travel advisory comes days after the U.S.…
— Yahoo
It’s Getting Very, Very, Very Cold Outside. Time to Run Away.
As the dreaded polar vortex promises record-breaking low temperatures across the Midwest this week, the dream of warmer climates takes hold. It’s summer somewhere, right? (Even without the frigid cold, nearly two out of three Americans say they regret not taking a warm-weather vacation last year, according to Airbnb).…
— New York Times
If You Make It A Goal To Travel Every Year Of Your 20s, These Are The Destinations To Choose
Every decade of your life brings something new. As a teenager, you may learn how to drive a car and get accepted to your dream college. You may try picking up a photography camera or fall in love for the very first time. It all prepares you for what's next — the best that's yet to come. Imagine this,…
— Elite Daily
Tours and Activities
The most underrated travel destination in every state
Straying off the beaten path provides a unique travel experience you can’t get by following an itinerary. Whether your favorite travel destinations consist of a beach, the mountains or the most beautiful city in the world, looking beyond the obvious tourist attractions gets you up close and personal with the people and places that make your trip…
— USA Today
Machu Picchu now wheelchair accessible
Machu Picchu is estimated to be about 600 years old. But it has only been fully wheelchair accessible for a few months. Travel company Wheel the World has developed the first-ever wheelchair-accessible tour of the iconic site in Peru, which is considered one of the wonders of the world. The company was the brainchild of two longtime best friends from…
— CNN
Cruise
Hospital kicks out cruise ship evacuee who couldn't pay thousands of dollars upfront for surgery
The family of a cruise ship passenger evacuated to a private for-profit hospital in Mexico during a medical emergency were stunned when doctors stopped his urgent treatment after they could not immediately prove they had the thousands of dollars demanded for surgery. Chase Kehler, a 22-year-old college student from Little Rock…
— Newsweek
Carnival reveals itineraries for Port Canaveral-bound cruise ship Mardi Gras
Carnival Cruise Line has marked the calendar for its arrival to Port Canaveral next year with its new ship Mardi Gras and cruises are on sale. The ship will sail into the Central Florida port on Oct. 15, 2020. Before it gets here, though, it will make a few pit stops in Europe and New…
— Orlando Sentinel
Transportation
Airlines cancel hundreds of flights as 'dangerous' cold blasts US
Airlines canceled more than 1,600 flights in the Midwest on Wednesday as a blast of what federal forecasters called “dangerous” cold snarled operations. Temperatures will remain well below zero degrees Fahrenheit in the Chicago area on Wednesday and early Thursday with “dangerously cold wind…
— CNBC
Is the low-cost long-haul airline model too good to be true?
Since it launched long haul transatlantic flights in 2013, Norwegian Air has been the standard bearer of the low-cost, long-haul model. It has inspired imitators, spooked competitors, and attracted suitors who wanted in on the action. However, as was made clear on an unscheduled call with analysts…
— Quartz
Lodging
Warning Signs You're Staying at a Bad Hotel
No hotel is perfect, but unfortunately, some out there are so imperfect that staying there can turn your dream vacation into a nightmare. Travel experts share the signs that the hotel that you’re booking—or that you’ve just walked into—is not all it’s cracked up to…
— Reader's Digest
Mauna Kea Beach Hotel, Home To The Perfect Beach, And Also An Art Destination
The Big Island of Hawai'i has no shortage of gorgeous beaches, but many are tricky spots for swimming. Kauna'oa Bay, often referred to as Mauna Kea Beach, is a perfect crescent, often as still as a lake because it's protected all around. This is the kind of beach where your child might first learn to…
— Forbes
Other and Odd
Should you tip your flight attendant?
Travelers in the United States are used to tipping a multitude of people, from the baristas who make their frothy coffee concoctions to restaurant servers, parking valets, hotel housekeepers and Uber drivers. But tipping a flight attendant? It's largely unheard of. Almost all domestic US airlines have…
— CNN
The Best Travel Apps, Sites, and Services to Plan the Trip of Your Dreams
What ever happened to travel agents? Previous generations gladly handed the reins to an expert, who’d book the flights, handle accommodations Opens a New Window. , and probably even highlight the best roads Opens a New Window. to take in a rented car (that they coordinated, of course). But the internet more or less eradicated the…
— Men's Journal
What you can learn from three of the most inspirational travel campaigns of 2018
2018 was a year full of advertising innovations: ads became more personalized, more dynamic, and more targeted than ever before. Travel advertising was no different; hotels, airlines, tourist organizations, cruises and rental cars delivered emotionally engaging, inspirational and fun…
— PhocusWire
Today in History
King Charles I is beheaded
The British have always had an interesting relationship with their monarchs. Charles I reigned from March 1625 until his death in 1649. His death, however, holds a certain distinction: Charles I was the only British monarch ever put to death by the Parliament of England. The King's policies did not win him any…
— Travel Research Online
Press Releases of Interest
American Cruise Lines Celebrates 2018 as its Most Award-Winning Year Ever! Winning 13 Prestigious Travel Industry Awards
GUILFORD, CT—January 29, 2019— Fresh off 2018’s history-making debut of American Song, the 1st modern riverboat in the U.S., American Cruise Lines is pleased to announce that 2018 was also its most award-winning year ever—receiving 13 awards from the most prestigious publications and respected institutions in the travel…
— Travel Research Online
Supplier Profile
A Paradise for Everyone with Costa Rica Dream Adventures
 There are so many companies that provide travel to destinations around the world, it can be difficult to find the right person for the job. There are companies that can get you anywhere in the world but, a “Jack (or Jill) of all trades” lacks the specialized knowledge needed to give the traveler a thorough plan for their getaway. Fortunately, when it comes to the tropical country of Costa Rica, Costa Rica Dream Adventures is…
— Travel Research Online
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Mike's Morning Missives
Selling is a Contact Sport
 Our profession has an old saying, “Selling is a contact sport.” This means that to sell something, you must meet with the prospect. You have to put your face in front of people before you can establish rapport and make them feel comfortable enough to do business with you.
You have been working hard to identify and pre-qualify prospects. You have been contacting individuals asking for a few minutes of their time so you can outline your program and its benefits. So, what if everything you have done eventually works? What do you do if your prospect agrees to a personal meeting?
Many salespeople who are successful getting appointments fail when it comes to being prepared to meet with a prospect and take the relationship to the next…
— 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.
Register Now ➠
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.
Register Now ➠
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