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Thursday September 19, 2019

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

Autumn breaks in the UK: readers’ travel tips
October is a fabulous time for a late-season walk. Take the train to Berwick-upon-Tweed, then a bus to Melrose and spend a couple of days walking the first few legs of St Cuthbert’s Way. The trail will be almost empty, and all of the pub accommodation along the way is fantastic. Special mention to the Dryburgh Abbey Hotel (doubles from around £90 B&B), who made us a packed lunch which included a delicious…

Despite Hurricane Dorian’s Impact, These Islands in the Bahamas Are Ready for Tourists
Nassau Paradise Island wants you to know that, despite the high-profile Hurricane Dorian barreling through the Bahamas, it is still open and ready for tourists. The island’s tourism board released a new video and campaign, alerting people that it was unaffected by the storm. All hotels and resorts are open and air service has resumed as normal. “Nassau is the capital of the Bahamas and the most popular…

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Tours and Activities

Lost London underground stations rediscovered
As the oldest subterranean railway network in the world, the London Underground has been through a lot of changes since it opened back in 1863. Several stations have come and gone in the 150 years or so since then -- some never actually opened in the first place. Although many of the UK capital's nonoperational stations, entrances and passageways are still standing, the majority have been closed to the public…

Ranked: The Top Ten Best Beaches In The World
Soft white sand, impossibly blue bath-warm waters, a smattering of palm fronds for shade and an ice cold cocktail in hand – the perfect beach experience. It’s about as close as we get to the picture postcard image of a relaxing vacation, and luckily for us, the world is overflowing with them. But where to go? Which to visit? Are you looking to zone out with a good book and only the sound of lapping…

Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge Hacks That You Need to Know Before Visiting
Planning to visit Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge on your next Walt Disney World trip? The groundbreaking land opened at Disney’s Hollywood Studios in August, and is packed with take-home droids, space cocktails and other off-world delights you’ll want to explore. The new land, located on planet Batuu, is comprised of two halves: Black Spire Outpost, which consists of marketplace and specialty shops, food stands…

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Cruise

Outcry as Saga travel firm advertises cruise ‘exclusively for Brits’
Saga, the insurance and travel company aimed at the over-50s, has apologised after customers were sent a brochure advertising a cruise “exclusively for Brits”, prompting a furious backlash. Twitter user Anthony Bale, who is a university professor, said his mother was “outraged” after being sent the magazine, the front page of which outlined the characteristics of the cruise. He posted a photograph of the…

Carnival Cruise Line Opens Cruises for Reservations on 7 Cruise Ships in 2021
Carnival Cruise Line has opened cruises for reservations on seven cruise ships for 2021. Carnival Cruise Line, the World’s Most Popular Cruise Line, has opened cruise reservations on seven of their cruise ships for 2021. The cruises range from four to seven nights departing from six different cruise ports. Here are the 2021 sailings that are now open for bookings on Carnival…

A cruise ship rescued seven migrants from a flimsy boat near Cuba
The crew of a Royal Caribbean cruise ship took an unexpected detour to rescue seven Cuban migrants after their small boat broke down. The Majesty of the Seas was about 66 miles southwest of Key West, near Cuba, when it made the rescue on Sunday, according to the US Coast Guard. Passenger Steven Tauber was about to get a milkshake with his 9-year-old son, Skyler, when a loudspeaker announcement…

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Transportation

This Is the Most Common Airport Anxiety, According to New Survey (Video)
Traveling is without question a joyful and thrilling experience. However, the journey from point A to point B can come with some seriously anxiety-producing moments. And, according to a new survey by Priority Pass, it appears we all agree on which moments exactly cause us the most travel strife. For the survey, Priority Pass polled 1,720 respondents to learn about their general airport routines and the stresses…

Airbus A340-600 chopped up into coffee tables
The afterlife of a decommissioned airplane can take many forms nowadays. Some are dismantled and used as parts, others simply end up in aircraft graveyards, while a select few are reinvented as modern restaurants or hotels. However, Lufthansa has gone for a rather different approach with a retired Airbus A340-600. The German airline is giving the aircraft, identified by the registration code D-AIHO -- a fresh…

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Lodging

Marseille’s InterContinental Hotel Is THE Place To Make Memories
Let me tell you about a little miracle that happened to me at the InterContinental hotel in Marseille last month. I was sitting in their outdoor restaurant, having lunch, when I looked up, very unexpectedly, and who did I see? My husband Bill. Now, let me just say – it’s not unusual to see him. Ever. But I had taken a car over to the InterContinental Hotel, to write about the property and its Clarins spa, and had absolutely…

Alex, Thalwil, Zurich, Switzerland
With its lakeside location, this Campbell Gray hotel – the first in mainland Europe - is all about bringing the outside in: sleek and airy design, low-key luxury furnishings, top-quality natural materials and a relaxed vibe. And it’s aimed as much at leisure as business travellers. The hotel is five miles from Zurich, just outside Thalwil, on the western shore of Lake Zurich. The stylish way to arrive is the 20-minute ride across…

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Other and Odd

Your Face Is Your Passport: Biometrics Could Enable Explosive Travel Growth, But Critics Fret About Privacy Loss
Imagine breezing through airport security, past the airport gate check, onto your plane then off again at the end of your flight, and if flying internationally, escaping the customs and immigration check point in only a minute or two – all without every showing your ticket, a boarding pass, ID or even your passport. Don’t laugh. It’s not only technically possible, if the World Travel & Tourism Council has its way, it could be…

I Can’t Travel Like A Local Even If I Speak The Language — And That’s OK
I found myself stumbling over my Spanish on my first day in Mexico City. My partner and I took a four-day trip to explore the city, and as with our previous trips to Spanish-speaking countries, I was the designated trip planner, tour guide, and translator. This role typically falls to me not only because I’m a Capricorn, but also because I speak Spanish, thanks to my Puerto Rican dad and Latin American history minor…

Today in History

The Discovery of Ötzi the Iceman
On September 19, 1991, two German tourists were hiking through the Otztal Alps on the border between Austria and Italy. In a receding glacier, the couple spotted the body of a man. They contacted authorities who assumed the corpse to be of recent origin. Onlookers touched the body and in some instances…

TRO SMITH

3 Reasons You Don't Need Social Ads

Do you ever want to just give up on social advertising? Quit! Finito!

It just seems pointless and it doesn’t work anyway, right? Besides everyone is far too busy!

If that’s what you’re thinking, you’re not alone! Here’s some common reasons to stop advertising…

  — Travel Research Online
Read the rest of this article »

Luxury Travel Tips

Go Big or Go Home!
by Dan Chappelle
Thursday September 19, 2019

A while back, my family decided we should all go to the casino for an afternoon of fun, and maybe even a little profit. Now, I am not a big gambler; but, I figured, it costs at least a hundred bucks to see a movie these days. So, I was fine with a few hours.

One of the players at our blackjack table kept repeating these words, “Go big or go home.” As a businessperson, I am used to taking calculated risks; but I have to admit we gambled big with the future of our travel agency.

Outwardly, we were very successful. We sold a high volume of contemporary product and because of this, we were often treated like VIPs. We were flown first class to inaugural…

  — Travel Research Online
Read the rest of this article »

Mike's Morning Missives

Marketing Mistake #14: You Don’t Use “What’s Next?’ Thinking

This is the second to last reminder in our mistake avoidance campaign. I told you they could not be confused as rocket science. They all will serve you well as game-changing reminders when you find yourself slipping into a mediocre, sloppy, lazy frame of mind.

Today’s reminder warns us of the danger of treating each marketing tactic as an end to itself. You see every piece of the business puzzle has a next step… or should have.

Here is a simple example, and I hope it will make sense to…

  — Travel Research Online
Read the rest of this article »

Upcoming Training Opportunities


What's New for 2020 with Image Tours

What's New for 2020 with Image Tours

Thursday, September 26, 2019 at 2 pm EDT/11 am PDT

Having been in business since 1939, Image Tours is one of the most experienced Europe tour operators in the world and they have earned a reputation for high quality tours at an affordable price. While their emphasis is on introducing your clients to the European way of life, Image Tours remains aware of the small details appreciated by American travelers.

Register Now ➠


Sustainable Cruising In Patagonia

Sustainable Cruising In Patagonia

Wednesday, September 25, 2019 at 3 pm EDT/12 pm PDT

Protecting the wondrous land of Patagonia while sharing it with our guests is our primary goal at Australis Cruises. In this webinar we will be taking our attendees on a journey through this vast, oft-overlooked region in Southern Chile and Argentina. Our presenter will cover the basics of why your clients should visit Patagonia with Australis, starting with the different locations that they can visit and continuing with why our ships are uniquely equipped to take them there. Glaciers, penguins, vast fjords, and unforgettable Cape Horn are only a few reasons why Patagonia is a good choice for any traveler with an adventurous spirit.

Register Now ➠


A Classic Journey of South Africa with South African Airways and Tourcan Vacations

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 ➠


Budapest – The Spice of Europe

Budapest – The Spice of Europe

Monday, September 23, 2019 at 1 pm EDT/10 am PDT

Join the Hungarian National Tourist Office to learn about Budapest and Beyond.  Budapest is a truly authentic and historic European capital, but it also has an innovative, pulsating personality, making it a versatile and cosmopolitan city. The beautiful built and natural environment, the grandiose architecture, the historical thermal spas, the diverse and vibrant gastronomy, a blossoming fashion and design scene, and the immensely rich cultural life, define Budapest’s sparkling and original character. 

Register Now ➠







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