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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
Living in a country that thinks green
The latest climate reports look grim: recent research published in Science journal indicates that oceans are warming 40% faster than previously thought, while the UN panel of climate-change scientists released a landmark report in October 2018 warning that rising temperatures may cause major flooding, droughts, food shortages and wildfires by 2040…
— BBC Travel
The 5 best food destinations in the Americas: In a new book, the travel pros at Fathom get you fed
When having amazing meals is at the top of your vacation agenda, consider this handful of hotel restaurants throughout the Americas. More than hotels with nice rooms and impressive menus, these resorts offer immersive culinary experiences, the kinds of places where you’ll bump into the chef coming back from the garden with the day’s bounty –…
— Salon
Ode to Cologne: A German city full of views and brews
You could think of Cologne as a sixth-form college to Berlin’s infinitely cooler art school. In comparison it feels as if it is all student cash bars and puppyish idealism, spider plants at every turn, and still a lot of love for the Beatles – Germany’s fourth largest city has been twinned with Liverpool since 1952. Go into any street in the centre and you’ll see a…
— The Guardian
Tours and Activities
Take the kids to … Brooklands Museum, Weybridge, Surrey
An activity-filled heritage museum on the site of the world’s first purpose-built motor-racing circuit – which went on to become the largest aircraft manufacturing centre in Europe. Despite the site’s pioneering role in aviation history – during the second world war and, later, when Concorde was part built here – the museum seems to fly under the radar of…
— The Guardian
Duck out of the rat race to enjoy nature’s clique
In November, something strange happened in New York City’s Central Park. It had everyone snapping and Instagramming. Articles were written. Twitter threads were popping up. You would think it was a major celebrity deciding to pitch a tent in protest against President Donald Trump and all he represents. But no. It was a duck. A Mandarin…
— Independent Online
Cruise
Coast Guard worked with Carnival cruise to rescue 23 people adrift for days in Gulf of Mexico
The U.S. Coast Guard said it worked with a cruise ship to rescue 23 people adrift for days in the Gulf of Mexico. A Coast Guard news statement issued Sunday saying 22 Cubans started traveling on a wooden boat from Cuba to Mexico before losing power and drifting three days. A Cuban-Mexican man took them aboard his sports fishing boat, but then…
— USA Today
Viking Saga: The Tale of Tor Hagen And His Voyage From Ousted CEO To Cancer Survivor To Cruise Ship Billionaire
As the sparkling blue waters and red-roofed towns of Croatia drift by, Torstein Hagen makes his way through the minimalist, Scandinavian-style lobby of the Viking Jupiter cruise ship, explaining what makes Viking’s voyages successful. The secret is in what the ships don’t have. There are no casinos, no kids, no umbrella drinks, no formal nights,…
— Forbes
Transportation
Plane designs that could change the way you fly including beds in economy
A new range of designs were recently revealed at the Aircraft Interiors Expo 2019, an annual event showcasing the latest aviation designs. Along with food, cabins and tech, the plane seat is often something that is looked at to be improved especially when it comes down to comfort and space. A range of designers have introduced what they think will be…
— The Sun
The small steps the world's airlines are taking to help reduce emissions
Welcome aboard. Please place your three kilograms of carry-on under your standing seat or sleeping berth. After take-off, we'll be serving drinks in your reusable water bottles and cups followed by a selection of vegan meals in compostable packaging. And we'll be landing ahead of schedule today, thanks to the fine weather – and our over-wing solar…
— Traveller
Lodging
Indonesia's posh private island getaways
Soaring above the sea, about 150 nautical miles northeast of Singapore, lush green islets pop against the turquoise water. And then, seemingly out of nowhere, a small archipelago comes into view. The seaplane touches down and, moments later, a wave of balmy heat welcomes you to Bawah Reserve. Opened in late 2017 by Singaporean…
— CNN
Hotel Review: Shinola Hotel, Detroit
At this year’s Oscar ceremony, the “Green Book” director, Peter Farrelly, gave a shout out to the luxury fashion brand Shinola, crediting it with “saving Detroit.” While his claim remains controversial, one fact is inarguable: With the opening of its first hotel in January, Shinola is bigger than ever in Motor…
— New York Times
Other and Odd
A couple vanished on a Caribbean vacation. Their deaths are just as mysterious.
The couple’s vacation to the Dominican Republic was supposed to be a tropical getaway. And it was, at least according to the pictures Orlando Moore and Portia Ravenelle snapped throughout their stay. The New Yorkers sat atop chestnut-colored horses and traveled to a waterfall surrounded by green hills. Ravenelle sipped from a hollowed-out…
— The Washington Post
British Tourist Caught Stealing Pieces of Mosaic at Pompeii
Italian Carabinieri police detained a 20-year-old British tourist after she was caught removing the tiles of a mosaic at a house in Pompeii. The Carabinieri stepped in after being alerted by the archeological site’s guards who saw the woman removing a dozen pieces, called tesserae, from the mosaic floor of the House of the Anchor. According to local media,…
— Italy Magazine
The Erstwhile Culture Of Travel
“Travel is usually thought of as a displacement in space. This is an inadequate conception. A journey occurs simultaneously in space, in time and in the social hierarchy. Each impression can be defined only by being jointly related to these three axes, and since space is itself three-dimensional, five axes are necessary if we are to have an…
— Forbes
Today in History
The Debut of Jackie Robinson
Jackie Robinson's debut on April 15, 1947 with the Brooklyn Dodgers ended professional baseball's color barrier. During the early years following his debut, Robinson endured abuse at the hands of baseball players and fans alike. The scope of his accomplishments, however,…
— Travel Research Online
Editorial Musings
Could Carnival be banned from docking in the US?
by John Frenaye
Monday April 15, 2019
Seems like a ha rsh headline, no? Well, if US District Court Judge Patricia Seitz gets her way, it may become a reality. It seems that the Judge has had enough and has strongly suggested that the biggest of the Carnival big-wigs be in her courtroom in June. She has requested that Mickey Arison, Arnold Donald, and other executives be present. The story broke in the Miami Herald late last week (Subscription req'd with free preview).
This all stems from a $40 million settlement in 2017 by Carnival Corporation where they were placed on a 5-year probation for illegally dumping oil into the oceans from Princess ships and lying about the scheme to US authorities.
The renewed complaint alleges that Carnival Corporation is violating that probation by…
— Travel Research Online
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Publishers Corner
You Got Personality
by Richard Earls
Sunday April 14, 2019
My early recoll ections of the world of brands and business have to do with the companies with which a five year old first has contact. I can remember that Esso put a tiger in our tank and that my Keds tennis shoes would make me run a little faster and jump a little higher. The personality of many companies had to do with their cartoon mascots whether that was Mr. Clean , Green Giant or a leprechaun whose marshmallows were lucky charms.
Those were the days recalled by "Mad Men." Brand identity and communications then were pretty much a one-way communication from the company to the public. The brand delivered information to the public through television or through the newspapers and…
— Travel Research Online
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Mike's Morning Missives
How to Write a Client-Attracting Article
 As much as you probably DO NOT want to hear this, one of the most important marketing tools you can have is an article that you give to prospects once you have made initial contact.
An article is the ideal follow up vehicle to give to someone you meet through networking, after a speaking engagement, and on your website to encourage a visitor to opt-in to your mailing list. An article is often the first tool you use in the marketing process. It gives you a reason to follow-up with a prospect to learn more about them or to send them more information that can ultimately lead to a meeting.
As logical as it may be, most people consider writing to be a difficult “chore.” They can’t decide what to…
— Travel Research Online
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Upcoming Training Opportunities
If Only I’d Known – Why you should explore the Central North Island, New Zealand
Tuesday, April 23, 2019 at 1 pm EDT/10 am PDT
Come and explore New Zealand’s Central North Island and discover the enticing combination of unusual and captivating landscapes and experiences on an amazing road trip.
Register Now ➠
Learn about Portugal and TAP Air Portugal
Thursday, April 18, 2019 at 3 pm EDT/12 pm PDT
TAP is Portugal's leading airline and has been a member of the global airline Star Alliance since 2005. Flying since 1945, the 74-year old TAP today finds itself in the top 10 global airlines in terms of growth.
Register Now ➠
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• Started with STI Travel (leader in travel to Egypt) in Hackensack, NJ in 2006. (STI Travel became part of the Central Holidays Travel Group in 2012.)