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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
Lonely Planet unveils best travel destinations of 2020
Lonely Planet has unveiled its best travel destinations for 2020 and now we’re in the mood to book some flights. The highly respected list was chosen from nominations by staff, writers and bloggers at Lonely Planet, which was then built into a top 10 in each category. Bhutan, in the eastern Himalayas, came out on top of the best countries to visit, beating out England, which came in second place.…
— Yahoo! Style
A magical musical tour of Malawi
Off-grid experiences are harder to come by these days, but if you’re looking for something that will imprint itself on to your soul and make your heart quicken, Malawi is your destination. I first visited in 2011, and was gripped by an inexplicable love for the African continent and a deep sense of freedom, so returning now I was excited to see if I’d feel the same. A lesser-known land in…
— The Guardian
Kyoto's geisha neighborhood cracks down on photography
Kyoto's historic Gion neighborhood is cracking down on photography in response to ongoing issues with bad tourist behavior. As Japan's tourism has grown exponentially, Kyoto has struggled to maintain its local way of life. Thousands of foreign tourists fill the city's streets daily, many staying in local hotels while others visit as part of day trips from nearby Osaka. Gion, with its narrow…
— CNN
Tours and Activities
Why I Always Visit Cemeteries While Traveling
Because I was the youngest child in a large, fractious family, I spent many of my formative years in search of solitude and silence. When I was eight, we moved from New Jersey to London, and since it was still the era of just-be-home-by-dinner, my parents would allow me to take off to a nearby playground after school. Once safely out of sight, I would hurry past the swing sets to my…
— Travel+Leisure
‘We want to keep our forest’: why Guyana's wilderness needs visitors
I’m sitting atop a red granite boulder with Rovin, my guide. Below us is a billowing green expanse of jungle broken only by the sinuous line of a river and a low range of hills, one of which we are seated on. There is no sign of humanity: no smoke pillars, no clearings, no masts or buildings, not even a jet trail across the sky. Instead, there’s a formation of six red-and-green…
— The Guardian
Cruise
The Best New Orleans River Cruises
Two river cruise lines—American Queen Steamboat Company and American Cruise Lines—offer departures from the Port of New Orleans, sailing on the Mississippi, one of the longest rivers in the world. These all-American cruises introduce passengers to people, places and culture of the cities and towns along the way. “The best part about a river cruise departing or arriving in New Orleans…
— Forbes
First Impressions of Emerald Waterways' New Mekong River Cruise Ship
When Emerald Waterways' Emerald Harmony debuted in August, it became the first river ship in the fleet built specifically for Asia's Mekong River. The 84-passenger vessel is ideal for the quickly evolving and increasingly popular Southeast Asia market, as it's small enough to go places most other ships in the area can't. Our seven-night itinerary, which began in Siem Reap, will conclude in Ho…
— CruiseCritic.com
Transportation
Beijing Daxing Airport's first international flights begin
Beijing's much-hyped Daxing International Airport (PKX) has now lived up to its name with the first flights departing to foreign climes. The Zaha Hadid-designed airport opened just ahead of country-wide celebrations of the 70th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China on October 1. The airport's first outbound international flight, a China Airways route to Bangkok,…
— CNN
Air France’s Newest Destinations: Plan Now For Summer Sun In Spain And Portugal
Ready to plan summer travel? Oui! Beginning on April 4, 2020, Air France is offering four new summer-worthy destinations from Paris-Charles de Gaulle: Faro in Portugal and Alicante, Malaga and Valencia in Spain. From Air France’s U.S. departure cities, in only two hops, you can be soaking up the sun in these European vacation spots. If you’re ready to book, navigate your way to the…
— Forbes
Lodging
Unique guitar-shaped hotel opens at Florida Seminole casino
It looks like a rock ‘n’ roll guitar that Led Zeppelin’s Jimmy Page would have played. But this one is 450 feet (137 meters) tall and is a light-beam hotel that the Seminole Tribe wants to become South Florida’s latest tourist destination. The Guitar Hotel had its grand opening Thursday on the tribe’s land in Hollywood, once only a trailer park and some smoke shops. It’s the latest step in…
— Sarasota Herald-Tribune
Singapore's newly restored Raffles Hotel officially reopens
After shutting its doors for more than two years, Raffles Singapore officially reopened this month. Built in 1887 as a 10-room hotel, the property has undergone just two restorations in its 132-year history — a rarity in a city where change is near constant. Synonymous with old world grandeur and colonial tradition, the return of the city-state’s oldest and most iconic hotel has been…
— CNBC
Other and Odd
The word that encapsulates 'Frenchness'
To wander aimlessly through a city is so French there’s a word for it that has no English equivalent: flâner. Almost-translations abound, from “stroll” to “lounge” to “saunter”, but none perfectly encapsulates the spirit of the word, which evokes a certain directionless – but far from purposeless – wandering through an urban centre. The flâneur ambles with no destination in…
— BBC
How to Take a Break That Will Completely Reset You, According to an Expert
Life can be stressful. We’re often going from one deadline to the next, pushing through without taking a break. But that constant grind can actually be bad for your mental health and your productivity. That’s why it’s so important to unwind, take a total mental vacation from work, and allow yourself to recharge, Dr. David Ballard, a psychologist and the director of the American…
— Travel+Leisure
Today in History
Dedication of the Statue of Liberty
The Centennial Anniversary of the United States was approaching. The French public wanted to present a suitable gift to its sister democratic republic. The result of much deliberation produced the prototype for the Statue of Liberty. The statue, crated in 214 separate boxes, arrived in New York Harbor on…
— Travel Research Online
Editorial Musings
Happy Holidays!!
by John Frenaye
Monday October 28, 2019
Happy Holidays!
No, I have not lost my mind. But Halloween IS this week and before you know it we will be kissing significant others and ringing in 2020! And who really thought we’d ever live to see 2020 anyway? So like it or not, the holidays are upon us; and it presents a great time to touch base with your clients and prospects by email.
For me, the holidays do not generate a lot of bookings. My clients are mostly concerned with smaller purchases for their loved ones. But that does not mean they are not thinking about a larger travel based purchase! So reach out! And once again, I am advocating that you use your email…
— Travel Research Online
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Publishers Corner
The Psychology of Travel Counseling
by Richard Earls
Monday October 28, 2019
What travel pro fessional doesn't love travel? A hallmark of practically for everyone in this industry is their passion for travel, and it shows. Is it possible, though, that our love of travel gets in the way of our travel business?
Many, if not most, travel professionals back into their careers. Most business people choose their area of expertise, train for the necessary skill sets, and then launch out into the field of their choosing. The path from neophyte to professional is logical and surrounded by training and support mechanisms.
In travel, the process is often reversed. First, we love travel and we get into the travel business. Instantly, because there are no barriers to entry, we are travel professionals. Only then…
— Travel Research Online
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Mike's Morning Missives
#4: Your Tone Speaks Volumes
 We all have our little problems and concerns. I am fully involved with mine, and quite frankly, I just don’t have the time or the interest to adopt yours as my own.
As a general rule, given the choice, people would prefer to be around people who appear to have their act together. On the other hand, listening to others complain, whine and cast dispersions with little thought to the consequences is not what I call a good way to spend my time. With this in mind, I would like to share with you today three things to seriously think…
— Travel Research Online
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Upcoming Training Opportunities
Discover A Different Argentina
Wednesday, November 6, 2019 at 1 pm EST/10 am PST
Argentina is diversity in nature, adventure and culture. There are only a few places in the world where you can find mountains, seacoast, deserts, volcanoes - all in one country - and AEROLINEAS ARGENTINAS can take you there.
Register Now ➠
The Best of Vacations By Rail 2019
Tuesday, November 5, 2019 at 12 pm EST/9 am PST
As 2019 winds down, look back at a wonderful year of travel with this month’s webinar, Best of Vacations By Rail 2019.
Join Vacations By Rail as we recap another fantastic year of travel featuring top destinations and some of our most popular tours.
Learn more about what made this year great as well as exciting new tours and announcements for 2020.
Plus, as an added bonus, attendees of the webinar will receive a special offer for joining us!
Register Now ➠
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