|
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
Besotted with Belize: Reasons to visit the Central American gem
Despite its impressive Mayan ruins and inviting climate, bite-sized Belize has long been overshadowed by Mexico and Costa Rica for sun seekers looking for an affordable winter destination. Recently, however, an influx of new hotels and airlines adding nonstop flights to Belize seem to be a clear signal that the country's status as an…
— CNN
The Cook Islands Are Looking for a New Name
The Cook Islands are a small slice of paradise located just south of French Polynesia. Everything there — from its white sandy beaches to the crystal blue waters — is perfect. Except for one thing: The name. Residents of The Cook Islands are looking to change the island chain’s name as its current moniker pays homage to Captain…
— Travel+Leisure
Tours and Activities
Where you must catch your meal with chopsticks
It’s a sunny July day on a mountainside restaurant terrace on the island of Kyushu, Japan. A polo-shirted, 40-something Japanese businessman, a long-time friend of mine, is holding a clump of somen – thin, white wheat noodles – aloft in one hand, and beaming at me and his two foodie colleagues, who have joined us for this…
— BBC
In Malaysia, one of the world's oldest rainforests awaits
In the tropical morning light, Malaysia's Lake Temengor is a glazed expanse of emerald green, deepened by the dense walls of rainforest surrounding it. Skimming across the water in a speedboat, we pass a group of indigenous -- or orang asli ("original people") -- boys playing on a bamboo raft among deadwoods that rise like…
— CNN
Cruise
Cruisers' choice: Best cruise ships of 2019
Viking has conquered the small to mid-sized cruise ship market. Viking Ocean Cruises, which was established in 2015, racked up 10 first-place awards in the 9th annual Cruise Critic Cruisers' Choice Awards on Wednesday. Viking's long-established river cruise line also earned top honors, with Viking Vidar named best for river cruises in…
— CNN
Emeril Lagasse's First Restaurant at Sea to Debut on Carnival's Mardi Gras Cruise Ship in 2020
Carnival Cruise Line is kicking it up a notch (wink) with the debut of Emeril's Bistro 1396, a Creole restaurant helmed by Chef Emeril Lagasse that's coming to the aptly named Mardi Gras, launching summer 2020. Known by just his first name, Emeril has garnered a reputation for his Cajun cuisine through a series of TV shows…
— CruiseCritic.com
Cruise Ship Rescues 2 People After Their Plane Crashed in the Caribbean
A cruise ship rescued a pilot and his passenger from the Caribbean after their plane crashed in the sea on Tuesday. Princess Cruises’ Regal Princess was sailing towards St. Thomas in the U.S. Virgin Islands when the captain announced that the vessel was changing course to rescue two people stranded off the coast of Grand Turk.…
— Travel+Leisure
Transportation
Traveling Around Florida? Ditch the Car and Ride the Rails, Says Virgin
Entering the newest train station in Miami is a bit like walking into another world. With natural light streaming through floor-to-ceiling windows, the modern building is bright, sleek and full of thoughtful amenities. Outlets and USB ports are at every seat, free Wi-Fi is available at the entranceway, and the entire structure smells…
— New York Times
Seattle's New Airport Is Really Small — and That's 100% the Point
The traditional airport experience is one that most people dread. Traffic, malfunctioning check-in machines, flustered representatives and the cattle-like feel of security don’t often make air travel enjoyable. Until recently, residents of Snohomish County, Washington flew out of Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, making the…
— Travel+Leisure
Lodging
Vacation Destinations Where You Can Book a Five-star Hotel for Cheap
Five-star hotels are highly desirable — cush beds, top-notch service, extra amenities — but are rarely affordable. The average nightly rate for a five-star hotel on Hipmunkthis link opens in a new tab in 2018 was $431. But as savvy travelers know, the secret to luxury travel for less is finding those lower cost destinations, or visiting…
— Travel+Leisure
Would you want to stay in a space hotel?
It was intended to set the travel world on fire: Aurora Station, the world’s first in-orbit hotel. The official announcement took place last April during the Space 2.0 Conference in San Jose, California. Housed aboard a structure about the size of a large private jet, guests would soar 200 miles above the Earth’s surface, enjoying…
— BBC
Other and Odd
How Evita Robinson Is Disrupting the Travel Industry
Ask Evita Robinson why she travels and she’ll tell you: freedom. The three-time expat and veteran solo backpacker has been racking up passport stamps ever since a life-changing trip to Paris following university. In 2011, she founded the Nomadness Travel Tribe, an online community for adventurous travelers of color. What started out as…
— Conde Nast Traveler
Is travel insurance worth it? Not for most travelers
You’re online and ready to buy an airline ticket, but before you can checkout, the airline’s website pushes you to spend a little more to buy travel insurance to protect against delays and cancellation fees. The hard sell includes phrases such as “highly recommended,” or “protect your trip.” In fact, with some airlines, you cannot complete…
— NBC News
Save space when you travel with these foldable, compact products
Situation: Your wanderlust feeds your travel bug and you're forever tempted by those last-minute, inexpensive flight alerts. Issue: You have yet to figure out how to pack a simple carry-on. It takes practice to become a minimalist (just ask Marie Kondo), and while certain packing strategies work, it really comes down to what…
— CNN
Today in History
Golda Meir Becomes Israel's Prime Minister
At a time in our history when women are closer to the United States presidency than ever before, it is worthwhile noting great female heads of state from the past. On March 7, 1969, Golda Meir became the Prime Minister of Israel. She was the country's first…
— Travel Research Online
Press Releases of Interest
Central Holidays Releases New 2019 Africa and West Asia Brochure
Moonachie, NJ – (March 6, 2019) – Central Holidays has unveiled its 2019 Africa and West Asia brochure featuring travel programs packed with exclusive experiences to destinations throughout Africa and West Asia, including travel to Eastern and Southern Africa,…
— Travel Research Online
Centrav Celebrates Travvy Gold win after Launching New Website
This year is a big year for Centrav, the airline consolidator that sells wholesale air for travel agents. Centrav has earned the prestigious first place Gold in the 2019 Travvy Awards for Best Airline Consolidator AND celebrates their 30th year in business with…
— Travel Research Online
Spotlight
Greg Rholl, VP of Business Development, Centrav
by Joseph DeLoach
Thursday March 07, 2019
Greg Rholl  is Vice President of Business Development for Centrav. He began his career with Centrav 28 years ago and grew into a Business Development role. Greg came to Centrav with a B.S. in Marketing and a background in IT.
Greg interacts with the travel community extensively and still enjoys manning the booth at trade shows for Centrav where he gets the opportunity to meet and listen to travel advisors face-to-face.
Greg strives to understand the travel agent's ever-changing business model so that he can communicate that to Centrav's IT department and help them improve the agent's online booking experience at…
— Travel Research Online
Read the rest of this article »
|
Luxury Travel Tips
Give up on Your New Years Resolutions?
by Dan Chappelle
Thursday March 07, 2019
Each New Year,  we go through the time-honored tradition of making resolutions. Health clubs, Jenny Craig, and similar organizations spend virtually their entire marketing budgets between December 26-January 31. Why? Because most resolutions involve losing weight or quitting a habit. They have a tiny window to take advantage of this opportunity. We often confuse resolutions with goals. Resolutions are vague, and statistics show we tend to abandon them by mid-February. Goals are different, they are specific with an end date.
May I suggest a different approach to goal setting? This is one I have practiced with great success for a number of…
— Travel Research Online
Read the rest of this article »
|
Mike's Morning Missives
Mediocrity Is Not a Good Thing
 I was thinking about this word the other day (mediocrity) and for reasons unknown to me, I connected it with the travel industry.
Maybe it had something to do with another article I recently wrote, focusing on doing things above and beyond what was expected. I am sad to say that the “expected” doesn’t involve much more than just showing up…it seems. On the other hand, the “unexpected” demands attention, effort and a certain degree of creativity.
To borrow from a book title from some wiseman, the secret to the success formula involves Becoming The Exception. This, like all good advice…is easier said than done. Allow me to fill in a few…
— Travel Research Online
Read the rest of this article »
|
Upcoming Training Opportunities
EXTRAORDINARY WESTERN AUSTRALIA ... CLOSER THAN YOU THINK
Wednesday, March 13, 2019 at 1 pm EDT/10 am PDT
Join John Gunning from Down Under Answers as he shows you the best way to enjoy the wonders of Western Australia and why it should be on your clients itineraries. Accessible via Dubai with Emirates, Auckland with Air New Zealand or Hong Kong with Cathay Pacific, Western Australia is now at your doorstep.
Register Now ➠
|
|
|
Use TRO every day to find travel guides, e-postcards, and other resources you can personalize and send to your clients.
|
TRO Travel Specials
|
|
