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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
Europe’s Hidden Gem: Geneva Makes Your Travel Fun And Easy
I’ve had occasion to visit Geneva three times recently, and the city continues to impress and has really grown on me. The first two times I stayed a couple of nights before moving on, as Geneva is a popular gateway to some great trips. But most recently, I just went there - Geneva for Geneva’s sake - and had a great time. This is no coincidence. While Geneva lacks the kind of marquee attractions that…
— Forbes
Black Travel Vibes: Explore The Islands Of Cape Verde
When people talk about African islands their minds immediately wander off to the picturesque beaches and resorts of popular destinations like the Seychelles and Zanzibar. But there’s definitely more of the continent that needs exploring. Located off the coast of Senegal, the islands of Cape Verde are probably one of the continent’s most underrated gems. Visitors can expect to see unspoiled beaches when…
— Essence
Tours and Activities
All aboard India's joyful 'toy train'
There's just something romantic about slow, narrow-gauge, rail journeys. In a world of where everyone is rushing to get to their destination on flights, bullet trains and highways, these remnants of the past give you time to sit back and enjoy traveling at a contemplative pace, without the rush. India's Kalka-Shimla toy train is among the most impressive representatives of this type of rail travel, regularly…
— CNN
Canada's little-known geological wonder
The last time Candice LaFaver spotted the purple grains of sand along the shoreline at Candle Lake Provincial Park was in 2018. That July, she and her family had taken out their boat for a leisurely summertime cruise on this freshwater lake located in northern Saskatchewan when she glanced over to a deserted stretch of beach and couldn’t believe what she saw. Near the lake’s north-eastern edge, an area…
— BBC
Cruise
Silversea's 2020 World Cruise Becomes First to Visit Antarctica
Silversea's Silver Whisper became the first cruise ship to visit Antarctica as part of a world cruise last week when it met up with the line's Silver Cloud expedition ship in Antarctica's Wilhelmina Bay on February 4, 2020. The 388-passenger Silver Whisper visited Antarctica as part of the ship's seven-continent "Legends of Cruising" voyage that departed on January 6. Passengers spent a total of four days exploring…
— CruiseCritic.com
Princess cruise ship forced to turn around after over 300 sickened with norovirus
As Princess Cruises grapples with concerns of coronavirus onboard a ship in Japan, another one of its ships, the Caribbean Princess, was forced to turn around due to a norovirus outbreak. At least 299 passengers and 22 crew members onboard the ship operated by California-based Princess Cruise Lines Ltd. have become sick, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The Health Ministry…
— USA Today
Transportation
British Airways Plane Flying From NY to London Lands Nearly Two Hours Early Due to Winds from Storm Ciara
A British Airways plane flew from New York to London in less than five hours, becoming the fastest-ever subsonic flight between the two cities, as it raced to beat a storm heading toward the United Kingdom, according to reports. The flight, which flew from Saturday to Sunday, reached a top speed of over 800 mph, according to CNN, making the journey in only four hours and 56 minutes. Flying time is…
— Travel+Leisure
Calling out bad behavior becomes part of Southwest's pre-board announcement
If you're already asleep during the pre-flight announcements, you're likely to miss it. Southwest Airlines is asking passengers to report any "unwelcome behavior" on their aircraft to the flight attendants on duty. As of January 22, it's now part of the airline's required pre-flight emergency briefing and demonstration, right after the instructions about operating oxygen masks. "We are here for your comfort…
— CNN
Lodging
Valentine’s Day Gift Guide: The Most Extravagant Hotel Suites To Book Last Minute
With just a week left until Valentine’s Day weekend, you may be in need of a statement gift. And what better way to throw down for your beau than with a fancy hotel suite? Whether you’re planning a staycation or looking to get away, the accommodations make all the difference. Ready to go big or stay home? From Europe to Asia, here are some excellent, extravagant hotel suites to book last minute…
— Forbes
A Hotel in Iceland Is Celebrating Love on Leap Day by Giving Women Who Propose to Their Significant Others a Free Night’s Stay
This Iceland hotel is looking to make a vacation bundled up with a loved one even more romantic than it already sounds. The Hotel Ranga, which sits just over an hour outside Reykjavik and away from the light pollution of the city, is offering women a free one-night stay if they propose to their partners on Leap Day on Feb. 29. The hotel’s in-house wedding coordinator will help women plan to “Take the Leap,”…
— Travel+Leisure
Other and Odd
Major winter storm in Europe leaves several dead, creates widespread travel disruptions
A powerful winter storm blasting Europe with hurricane-force winds and heavy rain has been blamed for several deaths Monday, as travel has been disrupted throughout the continent. The storm, named Ciara by the U.K. Met Office weather agency, slammed the U.K. and Ireland on Sunday, bringing winds of up to 90 mph before moving eastward and leaving tens of thousands of homes across Europe…
— Fox Travel News
Officials: British traveler who contracted coronavirus in Singapore infected five others
A middle-aged businessman from England who vacationed in the Alps has illustrated how the ease of international travel is complicating global efforts to track and contain the new coronavirus that emerged in China. From the Singapore hotel where he is believed to have picked up the virus during a conference, to a ski resort in the French Alps and a pub in his hometown of Hove on the southern coast…
— USA Today
Marcus Samuelsson: Traveling to Japan and Singapore “Was My College”
Over the past few decades, Marcus Samuelsson has made a name for himself by weaving together the immigrant cuisines of America, first at his Harlem restaurant Red Rooster and now in various locations around the globe. The Ethiopian-Swedish chef also loves to travel, and his PBS show No Passport Required, now in its second season, takes him around the country to meet different communities and…
— Conde Nast Traveler
Today in History
Thomas Edison is born
1,093 patents were issued to Thomas A. Edison during his lifetime, the last at age 83. He was born February 11, 1846 in Milan, Ohio. He was nothing short of practical, saying once that he never wasted time inventing things people did not want to buy. Almost deaf since childhood, he famously remarked that genius was…
— Travel Research Online
Press Releases of Interest
Charles A. Robertson, American Cruise Lines Founder, Passes Away; Charles B. Robertson Named New CEO
Guilford, CT—February 10, 2020—The Board of Directors of American Cruise Lines, Inc. announced today that Charles B. Robertson will be appointed as the company’s new Chief Executive Officer, effective immediately. This appointment follows the recent death of Mr. Robertson’s father, Charles A. Robertson, who was…
— Travel Research Online
South African Airways Flies Miss Universe Back Home Aboard New A350-900 Aircraft
JOHANNESBURG, 8 February 2020 - South African Airways (SAA) was honoured to bring Miss Universe 2019, Zozibini Tunzi back home aboard its brand new Airbus A350-900 from New York and arrived in Johannesburg on Saturday, February 8th. Her sparkling presence aboard South African Airways Flight #204…
— Travel Research Online
60-Second Geography
The Galápagos with Goway Travel
by Joseph DeLoach
Tuesday February 11, 2020
 As if South America’s allure couldn’t get better, in comes the Galápagos Islands. These islands off the coast of Ecuador are where nature is revered over development, where Darwin is said to have started on his Theory of Evolution. The Galápagos are a view of uniqueness, in the true sense of the…
— Travel Research Online
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Mike’s 1-Minute Marketing Memos
The Truth About Common Sense
 The truth about common sense is that it is not common at all. During this year’s Super Bowl Game, I found myself discussing this topic on-and-off during the many commercial breaks.
What I personally find to be incredibly obvious does not appear to be acceptable behavior by a great number of others. It has taken me many years to come to terms with this understanding. Not everybody thinks, nor behaves, like me.
Here is a question for you: As an entrepreneur in the travel business, what behaviors do you list under the common sense umbrella? At the expense of sounding “cheeky,” this is a list you have to make on your own. The reason being that you and I probably do not sing from the same song…
— Travel Research Online
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Upcoming Training Opportunities
Alaska, ShoreTrips Style!
Thursday, February 27, 2020 at 3 pm EST/12 pm PST
Join Sam, Director of Training with ShoreTrips, to learn all about his favorite destination – Alaska! It’s a narrow season but there is a lot of opportunity to earn additional commission and have happy customers at the same time.
Register Now ➠
Universal Parks & Resorts Vacations Overview
Wednesday, February 19, 2020 at 1 pm EST/10 am PST
Learn what’s new and exciting at Universal Orlando Resort, along with a quick review of tickets, packages, and how to sell Universal to your clients.
Register Now ➠
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