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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
13 essential Vietnam experiences
When it comes to variety, Vietnam is in a league of its own. A trip to the capital, Hanoi, will be wildly different than modern Ho Chi Minh City, just as the lantern-lit streets of Hoi An vary dramatically from the nearby citadels of Hue. Then there are the tea plantations, coffee farms, stunning bays, caves and coastlines -- all promising distinct adventures.…
— CNN
Cultural highlights of Japan: readers’ travel tips
This summer I visited Hakodate, on the southernmost point of Hokkaido. On steep hills overlooking the harbour is the area where the outside world set up trading and diplomatic missions following the end of policy of isolation in the mid-19th century. You find colonial-style European architecture mixed with Japanese features such as sliding doors,…
— The Guardian
Black Travel Vibes: Let Your Heart Smile In Anguilla
Despite what the naysayers say, the Caribbean is a forever vibe. There is no way you can visit one of the region’s stunning islands and not feel a sense of happiness and joy. Each offers something unique with views and shorelines that cannot be beaten. Please don’t challenge us on this! A perfect example of this undeniable joy can be found on the…
— Essence
Tours and Activities
More than just mooncakes: A guide to Mid-Autumn Festival
It's time to hang a lantern, rip open a mooncake and peel a pomelo -- Mid-Autumn Festival is just around the corner.
Falling on the 15th day of the eighth lunar month, Mid-Autumn Festival, or Moon Festival, is when families gather to sample autumn harvests, light lanterns and admire what's believed to be the fullest moon of the year. In 2019, the…
— CNN
Everything to Know About South Dakota’s Stunning Sioux Falls
For years, Sioux Falls, South Dakota has been drawing travelers who want to see the famous waterfalls of Big Sioux River in person. Falls Park near downtown Sioux Falls is a popular place to watch the cascading channels flow over pinkish Sioux quartzite, and in the surrounding Big Sioux River Recreation Trail and Greenway, visitors and tourists…
— Travel+Leisure
Harvest festivals, feasts and fare this autumn in the UK
This weekend Bishop’s Palace in Wells, Somerset, is holding a two-day festival with stalls selling local produce, talks on growing your own, hands-on gardening sessions, morris dancers and brass bands. There is still a collection of tinned and dried goods for charity, though (from £8 adult, £3 child, 28-29 September, bishopspalace.org.uk). At Norwich…
— The Guardian
Cruise
Hapag-Lloyd's First Luxury Expedition Cruise Ship for English-Speaking Passengers to be Christened in Hamburg
The christening of Hapag-Lloyd's brand-new luxury expedition ship, Hanseatic Inspiration, will take place at the Port of Hamburg on Friday, October 11, 2019. The christening, which had previously been set two days later in the port of Antwerp, Belgium -- will be attended by invited guests who will take in the naming ceremony from Zodiacs…
— CruiseCritic.com
Cruise Ship Companies Are Finding It Hard to Quit Carbon
After a 13-deck cruise liner crashed into a quay in Venice this summer, residents took to the canals and bridges chanting, “No grandi navi,” or “No big ships,” and local officials vowed to bar large vessels from the city center. Concerned about overtourism and pollution from smoke-belching liners, Barcelona—Europe’s most popular…
— Bloomberg
Transportation
United Airlines Is Giving 18 to 22 Year Olds a Discount on Flights
Good news for any Gen Z traveler who wants to book a cheap flight in the next few months: United Airlines is offering young adult fliers a 10 percent discount off flights through the end of the year. The promotion is valid for passengers 18 to 22 years old who have a United MileagePlus account and book a flight for one person in United's app. This deal…
— Conde Nast Traveler
All Aboard! North America’s Best Fall Foliage Train Trips
North America is famous for its fall foliage—and what better way to see autumn announce its colorful arrival then via train? Rather than worrying about speed limits, maps and gas prices, sit back, get comfy and enjoy the view as you do your leaf peeping aboard some of North America’s best fall foliage train rides. At the top of many people’s bucket…
— Forbes
Lodging
Hotel de la Ville
With its newly unveiled Hotel de la Ville, Rocco Forte Hotels confirms its top spot in stylish luxury while revealing a playful side that appeals to the younger set. Touches of sophisticated, themed cocktails, and a chic rooftop leaven the lavish Grand Tour-inspired décor with a whimsy more Wilde than Byron. Sitting at the top of the Spanish Steps, Hotel…
— Telegraph (London)
For The Epitome Of European Chic, It Has To Be The Corinthia Budapest
I’ve been on a bit of a European tour this summer, ticking off some cities and destinations I’ve been longing to explore for years. Top of that city list was Budapest, Hungary’s extraordinary and historic capital. My visit came off the back of a week-long hike through the Carpathian Mountains in neighbouring Slovakia. Five days of long, hard trekking…
— Forbes
Other and Odd
Travel influencer couple defends death-defying photo
It's known for its startling turquoise waters, dramatic mountain backdrop and stone mounds left as offerings to the Inca mother earth goddess, Pachamama. And now Laguna Humantay, a lake in the Peruvian Andes, is getting known for something even more dramatic -- an Instagram post which shows two travel influencers on a cliff hundreds of…
— CNN
Grievous Losses: The Travel Industry Barely Survived 9/11
Today marks eighteen years since the terrorist attacks on the United States now known as 9/11. While anniversary stories are an often-dreaded part of journalism (in August Los Angeles “celebrated” the 50th anniversary of the Manson killings) the suffering that literally came out of the sky on that September day will remain cause for reflection for…
— Forbes
Today in History
The Re-Discovery of the Lascaux Caves
On September 12, 1940, four teenagers and their dog were exploring the hills near their home village of Montignac, France. They discovered the entrance to a cave and walked into its interior. On the stone walls were fantastic paintings of humans and large animals. They…
— Travel Research Online
Press Releases of Interest
Collette Launches New Season of Destinations and Experiences
Pawtucket, RI (September 11, 2019) – Collette, global tour operator, has launched their brand new season of tour destinations and dates, in conjunction with the debut of the latest agent resource guide. The launch of Collette’s new season means introducing over 20 new…
— Travel Research Online
Spotlight
Kelly Bigel, VP of Business Development, ASTA
by Joseph DeLoach
Thursday September 12, 2019
A hospitali ty and tourism professional, Kelly Bigel joined ASTA in 2015, and has served in multiple positions during her tenure. Currently, Kelly is the Vice President of Business Development, where she recruits travel supplier company members, collaborates with them to create creative, customized outreach campaigns, and leads the Business Development team in executing successful trade shows and events.
In addition to her Business Development duties, Kelly was lead contributor on reorganizing the chapter structure, created and managed multiple Education Sessions and represents ASTA at various industry events. Before joining ASTA, Kelly held a series of Sales and Management roles at multiple Ritz-Carlton Hotels. In addition, Kelly worked as Strategic Account Manager of Escapes at LivingSocial, after coming…
— Travel Research Online
Read the rest of this article »
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Mike's Morning Missives
Marketing Mistake #9: You Fail To Connect With Your Prospects and Customers Often Enough
 This is Marketing Mistake #9 of 15. What do you know? We are back talking about the importance of persistence and The Rule of 7. Apparently, repetition is the key to learning.
Contacting your prospects seven times over an 18-month period sums up the importance of The Rule of 7 nicely. But, it is also important to understand that the numbers are not written in stone.
It has been reported that the average consumer needs to hear a commercial 17 times before making a “buying” decision? Then why do so many marketers miss the boat when it comes to…
— Travel Research Online
Read the rest of this article »
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Upcoming Training Opportunities
A Classic Journey of South Africa with South African Airways and Tourcan Vacations
Tuesday, September 24, 2019 at 3 pm EDT/12 pm PDT
Learn about South African Airways, the largest airline in Southern Africa. SAA offers convenient connections from more than 100 cities in North America and daily flights from New York JFK and Washington Dulles with connections to over 75 destinations in Africa.
Register Now ➠
Discover Switzerland by Rail
Wednesday, September 18, 2019 at 12 pm EDT/9 am PDT
Discover Switzerland by Rail with this new webinar from Vacations By Rail and uncover the top-rated adventures and memorable experiences that highlight a Swiss train vacation.
Register Now ➠
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ASTA Membership is Your Ticket to Success
Monday, September 16, 2019 at 1 pm EDT/10 am PDT
At the American Society of Travel Advisors (ASTA), we promote your business, telling your story every day! We are the industry’s only professional trade association whose business it is to promote, defend, educate and represent the entire travel industry—small, mid-sized and large travel agencies and their travel advisors; independent and home-based advisors; and suppliers of travel-related products and services.
Register Now ➠
Discover the Happy Isles with Solomon Airlines
Thursday, September 12, 2019 at 3 pm EDT/12 pm PDT
Tucked away in the South Pacific, the Solomon Islands are a little known, unspoiled paradise. The Solomon Islands are an archipelago of almost 1,000 islands, located between Papua New Guinea and Vanuatu – a three hour journey from Australia. These islands are laid-back, welcoming and often surprisingly untouched. Crystal clear waters with an abundance of the world’s most colorful fish, rays, and turtles make it a paradise for diving and snorkeling.
Register Now ➠
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