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Monday December 09, 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

Pakistan's centuries-old 'zero-waste' movement
As I circled to find a parking spot, I was awestruck by the stately mansion in the upscale neighbourhood of Karachi. Casually, my sister-in-law remarked that the equally impressive estate across the road also belonged to Bilquis Sulaman Divan, the Memon (an ethnic sub-group of Sunni Muslims) and ex-colleague of hers that we were visiting. Flanked by perfectly manicured hedges,…

Bathing in Cleopatra's desert oasis pool
There's no getting around the fact that Egypt is an arid destination. Wedged between the Sahara and Arabia, around 95% of the country is unrelenting desert. But Egypt is also blessed with a liquid bounty. Ancients called it the gift of the Nile. But it's much more than just that mighty river. Flanked by the Mediterranean on the north and the Red Sea in the east, Egypt also boasts one of…

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Tours and Activities

Five dead, many missing and ‘no signs of life’ after volcanic eruption on popular New Zealand island
At least five people are dead with many others reported missing — and authorities now fearing the worst — after a volcano erupted Monday at a popular tourist site in New Zealand. Several dozen visitors, including some from a Royal Caribbean cruise ship, were on or near White Island when it erupted at 2:11 p.m. local time, releasing thick clouds of ash about 12,000 feet into the air. Some…

7 fun things to do in the desert
Scorching days, freezing nights, precious little water and dangerous reptiles for company. It's no surprise that deserts are among the most daunting places on Earth. Some may think they're best avoided. But for the rest of us, these arid wildernesses can make for the ultimate travel playground. Read on for seven desert destinations around the world and a fun thing to do in…

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Cruise

This 20-person Yacht Cruise Is the Best Way to See the Galapagos Islands — Without Disturbing the Animals
The sweat trickles down my forehead as I attempt to keep pace with my hiking group on what was intended to be a quick morning jaunt on the island of Española in the Galapagos. Beyond the small huffs and puffs from the people on this journey with me, there are few other sounds; just the bugs buzzing and the ocean waves crashing nearby. It’s perhaps because of this eery silence that…

Michelin Chef Michel Roux Jr. To Head Up Cunard's First Food And Wine Festival at Sea
Two-star Michelin Chef Michel Roux Jr. will head up a star-studded culinary team aboard Cunard's first-ever floating food and wine festival on board Queen Mary 2. The chef patron of London's Le Gavroche will join a seven-night transatlantic crossing, departing June 7, 2020. He will host dinners in The Verandah restaurant, create a three-course signature gala menu in the Britannia Grill…

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Transportation

Air Horse One: The wonderful world of equine air travel
They may not be able to recline in a comfy seat and watch the latest blockbuster release, but the world of equine air travel can be just as plush. The in-flight meals may even be better. Race horses often span the globe to attend the world's biggest events, while stallions and other precious horses regularly shuttle between different bases. It's a far cry from the days of long voyages by…

Snow patrol: 10 great winter train journeys in Europe
Europe’s first standard-gauge mountain rail line, the Semmering – which connects Vienna with southwestern Austria – became the first transport route to be designated a Unesco heritage site. Completed in 1854, the line crosses 16 viaducts and passes through 15 tunnels, and provides a breathtaking vision of the Austrian Alps as it clings to the icy mountainside and sweeps above the…

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Lodging

Escape the Cold in These ‘Harry Potter’ and Astrology-themed Igloos by the Beach
The winter months are closing in fast, and there’s only one thing you can do about it: Seek shelter. But, this season, instead of opting for any old accommodation why not spend a little time inside an ultra-luxurious multisensory igloo instead? Gurney’s Montauk and Gurney’s Newport are erecting several themed igloos for the chilly months at their respective properties. Each tiny hut will…

Great places to kick up your heels after you've kicked off your ski boots
Winter storms across the country have kicked ski season into high gear. And celebrations are in order after a day on a snow-covered mountain. Here are four spots for post-slope merriment, a.k.a. après ski. The Yodler Restaurant and Bar, which dates to the 1950s, continues to give visitors a European ski lodge ambience and traditional Bavarian-style menu offerings such as fondue,…

Grand touches and Dee valley views: Palé Hall hotel review
This refurbished country retreat was enjoyed by royalty and politicians and now makes a glamorous short-break escape. Where is it? An imposing country house hotel in the tranquil Dee valley, on the fringes of Snowdonia national park. Two hours from London’s Euston station to Chester by train, followed by an hour in a car to Palé Hall. Meaning you can get there just in time for cocktails…

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Other and Odd

Want to travel more in 2020? Here are tips on where and when to go
On its Best in Travel 2020 list, Lonely Planet picked Salzburg, Austria as the number-one city to visit next year, ranking Washington, D.C. second and Cairo, Egypt third. Italy continues its reign as the favorite place to go, according to global luxury travel network Virtuoso, while Croatia heads the list of emerging destinations. Destinations topping Fodor’s list in the United States and Canada…

Where Should You Travel Based On Your Myers-Briggs Personality Type?
From travel magazines to Instagram, there is vacation inspiration everywhere. But what about picking your next trip destination based on your Myers-Briggs personality type? The idea almost out-millennials itself, but it could lead to a new adventure in 2020. Kalon Surf, a luxury surf school in Costa Rica, relied on psychologists as well as travel experts to come up with the best…

Today in History

The First African-American Governor
On this day in 1872, Pinckney Benton Stewart Pinchback became the first person of African-American descent to serve as the governor of a U.S. State. Pinchback served as the Governor of Louisiana, rising to the office after serving as the acting lieutenant governor. When the governor of Louisiana…

Editorial Musings

When it comes to travel, do you really know best? Do you know your business?
by John Frenaye
Monday December 09, 2019

Sit down. Be quiet. Come here. Take this. Run there. Wake up. Go to bed. It seems all our lives we’ve been told to do things. And it hasn’t stopped since we’ve become adults—well most of us have become adults.

Today in the travel industry we are constantly being bombarded with suggestions and best practices from those in the industry. You have to specialize. You must charge fees. You have to sell this resort. Don’t sell a non-preferred supplier. And that is all pretty solid advice for most agencies. But are you most agencies?

Maybe. But first you need to ask the question “is it right for my agency?” And surprisingly, you (and the industry insiders) are likely not to be the best person to answer that…

  — Travel Research Online
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One-to-One Interviews

Mark Meader, Senior Vice President, Industry Affairs & Education, American Society of Travel Advisors (ASTA)

Having joined the American Society of Travel Advisors (ASTA) in 2015, Mark Meader is responsible for advocating on behalf of agencies, travel advisors and consumer communities with travel suppliers, technology providers, other trade associations, coalitions and various government entities. Mark is also the driving force behind the ASTA Verified Travel Advisor Certification program, as well as the highly rated educational content at annual ASTA events fostering agency growth and learning worldwide. He promotes and defends the agency community ensuring the travel advisor’s voice is heard clearly and the advisor is well represented throughout the industry. Mark also serves on the Board of Directors of the WTAAA – the World Travel Agents Associations Alliance – where he is Chairman…

  — Travel Research Online
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Publishers Corner

The travel profession and storytelling
by Richard Earls
Sunday December 08, 2019

"A human life is a story told by God and in the best of stories told by humans, we come closer to God." - Hans Christian Anderson

What is your reaction when someone says, "Let me tell you a story?" Most likely you listen attentively. The human mind loves a good story. Some portion of our psyche seeks a beginning, a middle, and an end. Every story has characters, a setting, and a series of incidents resulting in something memorable. Sound familiar?

Travel is actually very much like a good story. There is typically a beginning, middle, and an end, twists and plot complications, high and low points, and almost always something to be learned. Many of my own favorite personal stories are a part of some…

  — Travel Research Online
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Mike's Morning Missives

Your Job Is One of Curation

“Today, they must be skilled at curating it – sorting through the massive trolls of data and presenting to others the most relevant and clarifying pieces.”

I hope you are beginning to see that your issues, when it comes to sales, are not yours alone. There appears to be massive amounts of data available to everybody regardless of the industry.

Your job has slowly morphed into one that involves more than “having all the answers.” Your job is to decide what information is pertinent to your client’s itinerary, and to share that information in a way that can be easily internalized and used when the timing is…

  — Travel Research Online
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Upcoming Training Opportunities


Australis 101

Australis 101

Tuesday, December 17, 2019 at 1 pm EST/10 am PST

Navigating the Patagonian waterways for 29 years, Australis offers passengers an exclusive look into remote areas of the region, that include visits to glaciers, sub-polar forests and a view of amazing marine and terrestrial wildlife.

Register Now ➠


A Journey to South Africa with South African Airways

A Journey to South Africa with South African Airways

Thursday, December 12, 2019 at 3 pm EST/12 pm PST

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. See why South African Airways, a Star Alliance Member is Africa’s most awarded airline, which includes earning a 4-star rating for 17 consecutive years and recently named as having the “Best Airline Staff in Africa” by Skytrax.

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Hungary – The Wellspring of Wonders

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.

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