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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
Ghana is being heralded as the next big tourist destination. Here's why
When some of the most well-known faces from the African diaspora arrived for a recent vacation in Accra, Ghana, it looked like just another gathering of famous people. Actors including Idris Elba rubbed shoulders with supermodel Naomi Campbell, TV sports presenter Mike Hill, and author Luvvie Ajayi. Behind this meet-up of box office stars, fashion royalty and…
— CNN
Pracha Rat Bamphen Road: Bangkok's next Chinatown?
A new generation of Chinese immigrants, entrepreneurs and tourists is creating what may eventually become Bangkok's next Chinatown, an area specializing in inexpensive Yunnan and Sichuan cuisine plus bird's nest masks, salmon "sperm extract" and other exotic cosmetics. This neighborhood, in the city's Huai Khwang district, has been evolving on narrow Pracha…
— CNN
Tours and Activities
The ‘magic’ lift pass to 30 Swiss ski resorts
Was this really a ski resort? It was hard to tell when we arrived at the empty car park just outside Evolène, in Switzerland’s Val d’Anniviers. The usual ski resort paraphernalia – pylons, giant flashing piste maps, noisy bars – was absent. I couldn’t even see any lifts at first. Then we spied a path leading to a lone rickety-looking, two-man chairlift that clunked up through a…
— The Guardian
Florida theme parks poised for blockbuster year — even before debut of Star Wars land
Four years after Disney announced it would build Star Wars lands at its parks in Florida and California, fans finally will be able to set foot in the most anticipated theme park attraction since the Wizarding World of Harry Potter opened at Universal Orlando in 2010. Galaxy’s Edge is scheduled to open this fall at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. Even before the land on the…
— Miami Herald
Cruise
10 Amazing Ways to See the U.S. by Cruise Ship
The right cruise can put joy back into the journey, making everything from departure to the final destination and return trip part of the actual vacation. Maximize relaxation time by keeping close to home — because you don’t have to go far to find wonder in this world. “Domestic cruising is brilliant,” says Lisa Niver, a Virtuoso travel advisor and cruising expert who…
— Travel+Leisure
Disney Cruises: Three new ships to be added to the fleet
The Disney Cruise Line has plans for three new vessels, increasing its fleet of luxury cruise liners to seven. The three new ships will be the largest in the fleet at approximately 140,000 gross tons each and with about 1,250 guest staterooms. The ships, unnamed for now, are scheduled to set sail in 2021, 2022 and 2023. The new ships will maintain the Disney style…
— USA Today
Emerald Waterways Adds New Fitness Classes to Active Programming
River cruise line Emerald Waterways is upping the ante on its active programming with the addition of new onboard fitness classes. The classes, debuting on Emerald Waterways' seven Europe-based Star Ships in April 2019, include yoga, Pilates, aqua aerobics in the indoor heated pools, and one-mile walks on the open-air track. Each class will be coordinated by…
— CruiseCritic.com
Transportation
Delta Air Lines apologizes for 'creepy' Diet Coke napkins, is removing them from flights
Delta Air Lines and Coca Cola have apologized for creepy in-flight napkins that featured a spot for passengers to write their phone number to pass onto their "plane crush." The airlines said in a statement that it was already in the process of removing the offending Diet Coke napkins from flights even before a social media outcry from passengers. “We rotate Coke…
— USA Today
American Airlines pilot arrested on suspicion of trying to fly while drunk
An American Airlines flight to Philadelphia was cancelled after the pilot was arrested on suspicion of being drunk. The 62-year-old unnamed crew member was detained at Manchester Airport on 7 February and flight AA735 to the US was canned as a result. American Airlines apologised for the disruption and said in a statement: “We are fully cooperating with local…
— The Independent
TSA Discovered a Record Number of Guns in 2018
Last year, the TSA had to deal with more than just deer antlers and fake corpses. In 2018, the agency discovered a record-setting 4,239 firearms in carry-on bags at checkpoints across the country; an increase of seven percent over 2017—and average of 81.6 firearms per week and 11.6 firearms per day, according to a new release from the TSA. Another…
— Conde Nast Traveler
Lodging
Five historic hotels with guided tours that bring the past to life
For travelers who seek out historic hotels, learning about a property firsthand and from an expert is a lovely perk. No brochure or website can make history come alive — or indulge questions — the way a human guide can. In fact, for many travelers, guided tours are the highlight of trips to such iconic properties as the Greenbrier Resort in West Virginia, which served as…
— The Washington Post
3 Chicago Hotels Make Top 10 List, Only City With That Distinction
Three Chicago hotels made the list of top 10 U.S. hotels named Thursday (Feb. 7) by U.S. News and World report, making Chicago the only city to hold such a distinction. The Peninsula Chicago came in at No. 2, followed by Four Seasons Hotel Chicago at No. 5 and The Langham Chicago at No. 7. The annual ranking considers more than 30,000 luxury hotels…
— Forbes
Other and Odd
The First Three Things You Should Find in Every City You Visit
When you leave home to travel, you’re leaving behind your support system. It’s easy to forget all the things you rely on — like regular access to food, medicine, money and information — until you don’t have them anymore. Fortunately, you can find a substitute for your basic needs in every city you travel to. Whether you’re traveling for vacation or business, there are…
— New York Times
Those Who Wrongly Fretted About Declining Travel Demand in 2018 Are Only A Bit More Optimistic Now
A year after fretting publicly about declining travel demand, especially among foreigners coming to the United States, U.S. travel promotion officials now admit 2018 saw surprising growth in demand. Yet some of the same people who missed their forecast last year by a mile now admit, only grudgingly it seems, that travel demand will continue to be reasonably strong…
— Forbes
Today in History
Mary Queen of Scots is beheaded
For 19 years Mary Stuart lived in gentle confinement, the "guest" of Queen Elizabeth I. Mary Queen of Scots' impetuous nature and boldness kept her in trouble with her royal relations. She had conspired in the death of her husband with her lover, the act for which she was driven…
— Travel Research Online
Mike's Morning Missives
Who Exactly Is “Lady Gaga?”
 (Originally written a few years back but worth reading today.)
Just when you think you have seen, heard, and done it all along comes an email that shakes your world.
Let me go on record to say that I don’t know what she looks like, sounds like and what her preferences are in any category whatsoever. I have heard of her…and about her. This is what makes this article in and of itself worth reading. I kind of “like” her. Not for her clothes. Not for her make-up. Not for her sound or choice of songs. But for her street-savvy understanding of…
— Travel Research Online
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