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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
The Dutch islands of tomorrow
From the Lelystad dock, the Markermeer could hardly seem less remarkable. Reinforced by unlovable concrete slipways, the shallow lake, also considered an inland sea, stretches for some 40km, flooding a 700sq-km expanse of the central Netherlands. At its most southerly point, it just about reaches Amsterdam, and to the north, west and east it…
— BBC
Why You Should Visit Northern Thailand This Winter
From the remote tropical verdure of Chiang Rai province’s Golden Triangle—abutting Myanmar and Laos in what was once the notorious nexus of the global opium trade—to the bustling city of Chiang Mai, the “rose of the north” and home to more than 300 Buddhist temples, northern Thailand has retained a distinct cultural flavor. This is in part thanks to…
— Fortune
Tours and Activities
12 Beautiful Sonoma Wineries to Visit Right Now
Sonoma Valley. Just the name suggests innate decadence and glorious beauty, which makes natural disasters, like the recent Kincade Fire, all the more devastating. Fortunately, less than 8% of Sonoma's one million acres of rolling hills, verdant farmland, pristine redwood groves, and coastal inlets were damaged. And the 2019 harvest was 92%…
— Travel+Leisure
Brilliant winter holidays in Europe
The historic city of Deventer, a 1hr 20min train ride from Amsterdam, holds a two-day Dickens Festival every December (weekend of 14-15 this year, free entry, though be prepared to queue). Nearly 1,000 costumed Dickens characters, from gentry to urchins, play their parts with real enthusiasm in the spruce-tree decked streets. You might bump into…
— The Guardian
Tokyo's best ramen restaurants, according to AI technology
In a world where one out of every seven online reviews could be fake, it can be difficult to know whether a restaurant really deserves top marks. Bearing this in mind, one Japan company has compiled a list of what it believes are truly the best ramen joints in Tokyo -- all by using artificial intelligence technology. TDAI Lab, an AI algorithm…
— CNN
Cruise
Just Back From 'New' Oasis of the Seas: Hits and Misses
When Oasis of the Seas sailed its first shakedown voyage in November 2009, Cruise Critic was on the scene. Exactly 10 years (to the day) later, we're back onboard following the ship's massive $165 million refurbishment as part of Royal Caribbean's Royal Amplification initiative, which aims to keep older ships fresh. With just two days to cram in all of…
— CruiseCritic.com
People of Venice protest over floods and cruise ships
Thousands of Venetians have taken to the streets to protest over frequent flooding and the impact of giant cruise ships. In heavy rain between 2,000 and 3,000 people answered the call of environmental groups and a collective opposed to the ships. Critics say the waves cruise ships create are eroding Venice’s foundations. Chanting “Venice resist” and…
— The Guardian
Transportation
Dirty planet but a clean conscience? The truth about airplane carbon offsetting
In aviation, it would seem, claiming you're going green is becoming as important as competing on fares. When European budget airline easyJet released its annual results this week, they paired the report with an announcement that from November 19, it would become the world's first airline operating net-zero carbon flights. It would achieve this,…
— CNN
These Are The Best Airlines To Fly In 2020
When it comes to the best airlines to fly in 2020, you probably expect the basics. You want an airline that's safe, on time, and doesn't lose your luggage. But there's only one place to find that information for domestic airlines: in the venerable Airline Quality Rating (AQR). Although that annual rating doesn't come out until next April, one of the…
— Forbes
Lodging
The Cartoon Network Hotel Is Officially Opening Summer 2020
If you’ve ever dreamt of spending a night surrounded by your favorite cartoons you’re in luck — the Cartoon Network Hotel is (almost) open for business. The Cartoon Network Hotel, located in Lancaster Pennsylvania, right next to Dutch Wonderland, is now accepting bookings for its June 2020 opening. The resort is just as over-the-top as you might…
— Travel+Leisure
Breezes Resort And Spa In The Bahamas Weathers The Storm
During the historic and tragic 2019 Atlantic hurricane season, some of the islands of the Bahamas were spared the brunt of the storms. Sadly, Abaco Island and Grand Bahamas Island suffered the worst of Hurricane Dorian’s slow turmoil, with 65 lives lost and over $7 billion dollars in damages. Relief efforts across the Bahamas demonstrated the generosity…
— Forbes
Other and Odd
Thanksgiving Travel Could Be Disrupted by Rain and Snow Across the U.S.
Thanksgiving travel is expected to be unusually busy this year. More than 55 million people are expected to travel more than 50 miles or more away from home for Thanksgiving, making 2019 the second-busiest travel day since 2000, according to AAA. But before you hit the road this week, it might be smart to first check the weather forecast. Storms…
— Time
A Guide to Traveling When You're Transgender
People tend to look at me funny when I tell them I love flying, but it’s true. I always have. I've gotten my packing process down to a science and airports give me an excuse to put my phone on airplane mode for a few hours and catch up on reading without distraction. But as I left for a recent work trip, I was unable to ease my travel anxiety. My…
— Allure
Today in History
The Hollywood Ten
On November 25th, 1947, a group of Hollywood studio executives blacklisted and banned from employment 10 individuals for suspected Communist sympathies. The prior day, the Congress of the United States had cited these same individuals for contempt for refusing…
— Travel Research Online
Editorial Musings
2020 is here. How to survive in the new decade.
by John Frenaye
Monday November 25, 2019
Fact: owning an d operating an agency is tough business. Fact: survival is never guaranteed. Long gone are the days of heading home with red fingers and being a clearinghouse for all things travel. Our role has evolved from a true “agent of the supplier” to a trusted advisor to those who continue to seek our services. But here we are entering into a new decade in about a month. For me, it is a decade that forever seemed so far into the future that I didn’t think I’d ever be around to see it. But here we are on the cusp of 2020 and trying to figure out how to survive and thrive moving forward. I have some thoughts.
Specialize.
If you have not received the memo…
— Travel Research Online
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Publishers Corner
Thanksgiving
by Richard Earls
Sunday November 24, 2019
"Remember t hat sometimes not getting what you want is a wonderful stroke of luck." -Dalai Lama
In many ways, Thanksgiving is the greatest of holidays, a reminder of the debt of gratitude we owe to everyone and everything around us. It is always tempting to magnify our losses and minimize the ordinary, daily miracle. We long for big, outrageous fortunes and forget the small, mundane but truly astonishing gifts. One day of the year, however, is a reminder to contemplate the undeniably interdependent nature of our existence. How amazingly special is it when a client takes the time and effort to say "Thanks"? Being on the receiving end of gratitude is a pretty special thing. We all get too few “Thanks”, don’t we?
Everything is connected. We…
— Travel Research Online
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Mike's Morning Missives
Do You Care?
 Take a lesson this week from the founder of the Peanuts cartoon character, Charles Schultz, and go out and make a difference in other people’s lives. This is a splendid reminder that it is us “ordinary” people who are already in place to make a difference.
The Charles Schultz…
— Travel Research Online
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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 ➠
Earn More Commissions With Agencia Global
Thursday, December 5, 2019 at 1 pm EST/10 am PST
Agencia Global is the most innovative and user-friendly booking platform for home-based and traditional travel agents. We understand that your goal is to be a travel expert, not a GDS expert, and our platform will allow you to be just that. Not only does Agencia provide agents with aggressive commissions and net fares for over 150 airlines, it will also offer you innovative features such as:
Register Now ➠
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