|
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
Venice still needs tourism, say locals devastated by floods
Sebastian Fagarazzi was walking from the bus terminus at Piazzale Roma to his home in Cannaregio at lunchtime Wednesday when he saw two tourists coming towards him, suitcases in hand, ready to flee the city. "They were looking at the cars, like, 'Oh my god, it's salvation,'" he said. But while images of floating tables and water taxis run aground in Tuesday night's floods have made the rounds, the city is…
— CNN
Black Travel Vibes: Revel in The Beauty Of The Democratic Republic Of The Congo
Formerly known as Zaire, the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) is a Central African nation that one could only describe as a beautiful mess. Marked by ongoing civil unrest, travel to the DRC, particularly to areas outside of the capital city of Kinshasa, is not advised for foreigners looking for an African adventure, which helps to mask the true beauty of this unknown gem. Despite its troubles, the Congo…
— Essence
UK Foreign Office warns against travel to Bolivia
The UK Foreign Office has issued a warning to avoid travel to Bolivia, after weeks of violent protests in the country. The FCO updated its advice on 11 November to warn against all but essential travel to the entire country, saying the “political and security situation is very uncertain across Bolivia following the resignation of the president [Evo Morales] on 10 November … since the disputed elections in…
— The Guardian
Tours and Activities
Why Byron Bay and the Blue Mountains Should Be on Every Travelers' Must-visit List
I found myself lost in Blue Mountains National Park, and I hadn’t even left my hotel. For the first hour in the Hydro Majestic Hotel, a sumptuous Art Deco warren about 90 minutes west of Sydney, my hometown, I wandered wide-eyed from one theatrical setting to the next, taking in the glass-domed lobby and quirky murals from the 1920s that depict both medieval knights and outback safaris. But even amid…
— Travel+Leisure
Here Are The Best Bookshops In America For Bibliophiles
If you’ve ever lost track of the sunlight, because you were fused to a cushioned chair with a titillating title in your hand, then raise your proverbial glass in the air and celebrate the hospitable bookshop that allowed you to read for hours on end, uninterrupted. Spending time in bookstores is especially easy when the environment is welcoming, and the space is unique. Take one step inside Shakespeare and…
— Forbes
Cruise
Bahamas Paradise Cruise Line to Hold Second ArtSea Cruise
Bahamas Paradise Cruise Line will host its second ArtSea Cruise, setting sail from West Palm Beach on November 30 aboard Grand Celebration. Billed as one of the largest artistic experiences at sea, the ArtSea voyage will offer a call on Freeport before returning to West Palm Beach just days before the debut of Miami's popular Art Basel show. "ArtSea was created to provide travelers who are…
— CruiseCritic.com
Mexico’s Cozumel port announces cruise ship passenger tax
The Mexican tourist resort of Cozumel is proposing its first tax on cruise ship passengers. But the island off Mexico’s Caribbean coast says it would only charge the equivalent of 65 cents per passenger. The municipal government of Cozumel says the Environmental Care Tax would be used for security, environmental and civil defense projects. The government said Wednesday the tax is “a historic event and an act…
— Yahoo
Transportation
Southwest's Spring Travel Sale Includes $39 One-way Tickets
Southwest Airlines wants you to start planning your 2020 travels. And it’s willing to give you a massive discount on airfare if you start right now. Southwest is hosting yet another monster sale on airfare across the country for travel through spring 2020. However, if you want to take advantage of the sale you’ve got to hop on the bandwagon right now because the sale ends on Friday, Nov. 15. To take part in…
— Travel+Leisure
Traveling with a service animal doesn’t have to be difficult. New book explains how.
Travel always takes a certain amount of preparation, including searching for the best ticket (cost vs. convenience) and accommodations (proximity to attractions, on-site amenities). So imagine the planning required if a service animal is in tow for the adventure. Service animals vary in size (from a dog to a miniature horse) and the tasks they perform. Most people are familiar with guide dogs for people who…
— Chicago Tribune
Experimental ultra-long-haul flight takes off
As experiments go, this one should be pretty spectacular -- 19 hours, 17,800 kilometers (about 11,060 miles), 100 metric tons of jet fuel and not one, but two separate sunrises. Australian airline Qantas on Thursday launched a one-off research flight that will carry about 50 people from London to Sydney nonstop, clocking up the longest commercial passenger flight in recent aviation history in the process.…
— CNN
Lodging
These Are the Best New Hotels in Queensland, Australia
Queensland has defied its laid-back reputation lately with a flurry of hotel activity—more than a dozen new ones or renovations have opened in less than two years, in locations ranging from the tropical Whitsunday islands to cattle ranches near Cairns to the glimmering skyline of Brisbane. Resorts bordering the Great Barrier Reef have undertaken initiatives designed to address recent coral bleaching…
— Travel+Leisure
Damaged Hard Rock hotel will be completely demolished, New Orleans officials say
A month ago, the under-construction Hard Rock hotel in New Orleans’ French Quarter partially collapsed, killing three and injuring dozens. Now city officials have announced that the entire 18-story structure would be imploded. Engineers hired by the building's owners said it will take nine weeks to demolish the buildings and then three months to remove the debris. The process will stretch through a busy…
— USA Today
Other and Odd
Why Travel Insurance Is Such A Good Idea
If you ask me, travel insurance is a travel hack on its own. It can help get you from Point A to Point B, protect your travel investment, and pack you the peace of mind that if something goes awry, you’re never alone. Personally, as I get older, I think more and more about “what if” situations, and not just if I get sick before a trip. I worry about things like – what if I slip and fall in a hotel lobby? Or what if I need…
— Forbes
Crystal Cruises' Carmen Roig Says Ignoring Age Hurts Both Young and Old Travelers
Carmen Roig has spent the majority of her career on board a ship. She got her first job in the cruise industry while she was still in high school, and in the years since, has climbed the ladder to become senior vice president of marketing and sales at Crystal Cruises. It's a role that has taken her all over the world—and given her a platform to help all types of travelers feel embraced. We spoke to Roig about her…
— Conde Nast Traveler
Today in History
Claude Monet
The French Impressionist painter Claude Monet was born on this day in 1840. Monet's painting Impression, Sunrise, gave the Impressionist movement its name. His series of more than 250 paintings of waterlilies may be his most famous work. Monet revised many of those paintings after surgery for cataracts enhanced…
— Travel Research Online
Luxury Travel Tips
What's You Biggest Challenge?
by Dan Chappelle
Thursday November 14, 2019
Recently, I ask ed my Facebook followers, “What is your biggest challenge standing between you and your 2020 goals?” The answers were pretty much what you would expect.
By far the biggest challenge was “a lack of qualified clients.” This is not surprising considering most independent contractors are responsible for sourcing their own clients.
A number of folks chimed in with their opinions on how to overcome the various challenges that were posted. To many, their only outside connection to their fellow agents is via social…
— Travel Research Online
Read the rest of this article »
|
Mike's Morning Missives
Don’t Ever Count Yourself Out
 You all know how much I enjoy the Olympics; they are truly special times every few years. I was once watching an event that resembled cross-country skiing. And as it is only fair, when you take a group of international, world-class athletes, you put the bumper crop of superior athletes in the front – so the second tier of world-class athletes do not screw things up.
I have no problem with stacking the deck by putting the fastest guys up front. That is okay with me. The gun sounds, and like it is often the case when you have a group of world-class athletes trying to accomplish their life-long dream, somebody errs, and then more err until you have one giant err.
The guy wearing Bib #4…
— Travel Research Online
Read the rest of this article »
|
Upcoming Training Opportunities
Hungary – The Wellspring of Wonders
Wednesday, December 11, 2019 at 1 pm EST/10 am PST
Hidden in the centre of Europe is a country where water roils under the earth and erupts to the surface, hot and healing. A country, where you can refresh your body and mind by relaxing in the hot water of genuine medieval Turkish baths, both in the summer and winter. Where you can always find something historic or modern that touches your soul, and the atmosphere is vibrant and relaxing at the same time. Where the ”aszú” grape berries are harvested during autumn, from which beautifully balanced “gold wine” is produced. Where on hilltops, deep in the valleys and on endless plains, you find the hustle of small, centuries-old villages, charming towns, luxurious castles and a lively metropolis.
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
|
|
