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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
How the Coronavirus May Impact Travel to Italy
After months of the disease's rapid spread within China, the new Covid-19 coronavirus is starting to take hold of other regions, causing concern that the outbreak may become a global pandemic. Over the weekend, Italy became the latest hotspot for the virus, along with South Korea and Iran, when cases jumped from three on Friday to over 322 on Tuesday, making Italy's the biggest documented outbreak outside…
— Conde Nast Traveler
The top trending travel destinations for 2020
If you’re trying to figure out where to book your big vacation for later this year, you might want to consider Key Largo, Fla., according to one report. On Tuesday, TripAdvisor published its Travelers’ Choice Awards for 2020. Aside from its Popular Destinations awards -- which went to New York City, Hawaii and Las Vegas in the top three U.S. spots --, TripAdvisor added two new categories this year: Trending Destinations…
— Fox Business
Föhr: The German island obsessed with Manhattan
Blimey, this drink looked familiar. The setting was a maritime pub in the pretty village of Wyk on the island of Föhr, a gateway to the North Frisian Islands on Germany’s North Sea coast. Propped at the bar was Jann-Oluf Arfsten, aka “Mr Manhattan”, a vegetable and potato farmer, now in his 50s, who was slowly sipping a glass of maple-brown alcohol known as “the national drink of Föhr”. “Every day is better with one…
— BBC
Tours and Activities
The River Nile's greatest attractions from Aswan to Luxor
The River Nile stretches more than 4,000 miles (6,650 km) between Lake Victoria and the Mediterranean Sea. Out of all that length, is the relatively short section between Aswan and Luxor in southern Egypt is the most intriguing. What makes this part of the river so special? First and foremost, the ancient treasures scattered along its banks. Some of largest, most elaborate and intriguing structures built in ancient…
— CNN
Visiting South Australia after the bushfires: ‘Some of the best experiences are completely unaffected’
Most South Australians know the Adelaide Hills town of Lobethal for one thing. Every night in December, large displays of Christmas lights adorn local businesses and homes, and the streets are crowded with buses and cars during the Lights of Lobethal festival. But last year the tradition ended early. As bushfires ripped through the Adelaide Hills on 20 December, people flying home for Christmas instead saw the…
— The Guardian
Cruise
U.S. officials: Four more Diamond Princess passengers have coronavirus; U.S. cases at 57
Four more passengers from the Diamond Princess cruise ship have tested positive for coronavirus COVID-19, bringing the total number of Americans infected from the ship to 40, leading U.S. health officials said Tuesday. That brings the total U.S. coronavirus cases to 57. The number includes 12 who returned from China before the federal government imposed travel restrictions, two who became infected from…
— USA Today
Which Cruise Ports are Closed?
Between outright cruise port closures and ports only denying entry to Chinese nationals, it might feel like cruise ships are being bounced around Asia -- and even Caribbean and South Pacific waters -- due to mounting concerns over the spread of coronavirus, which originated in Wuhan, China. Recently, Italy became the location of the largest outbreak of the virus outside of Asia, with 283 cases reported as of…
— CruiseCritic.com
Transportation
United Paid $90,000 in Travel Vouchers to Get Passengers to Downgrade From First Class
United Airlines offered nine passengers a reported $10,000 each after downgrading them from first class to premium plus on a flight from Newark to Honolulu. Over the weekend, the airline had to swap out its planned Boeing 777 aircraft for a Boeing 767-300 which had less first class capacity. Due to the lack of space, the airline asked for volunteers to downgrade, according to travel blog View From the Wing.…
— Travel+Leisure
Air New Zealand unveils economy-class sleeping pods
There are people who can sleep anywhere, any time, in any position -- including upright in an economy-class airplane seat. And then there are the rest of us. Neck pillows just don't cut it. Reclining a few inches does nothing. We need to lie flat, which is what makes Air New Zealand's prototype sleep pods so exciting. On February 26, the airline filed patent and trademark applications for the "Economy Skynest" -- the…
— CNN
Virgin Galactic sees demand for space travel surge
Virgin Galactic has said it will release more tickets for flights into space amid surging demand. Sir Richard Branson's firm, which completed its first sub-orbital test flight in 2018, said it had received almost 8,000 registrations of interest for future commercial flights. That is more than double the amount it recorded at the end of September 2019. The firm has so far sold 600 tickets for its inaugural flights, scheduled for…
— BBC
Lodging
10 of the best hotels near Europe's main railway stations
City breaks in Paris, Berlin, Brussels and more get a characterful twist at these hotels and hostels within walking distance of the big terminals. Smart and contemporary, this three-star hotel has a fabulous rooftop terrace, with a bar serving snacks, plus a long, narrow infinity pool and a view over the Museu Nacional d’Art de Catalunya to the wooded hill of Montjuïc. Room decor is minimal and there is plenty of light from…
— The Guardian
The James Hotel Nomad: A Haven For Beauty And Wellness Enthusiasts
The James Hotel Nomad is the kind of place where you check in and have the option not to leave unless you really want to. There are well-appointed rooms, a popular restaurant (Scarpetta), a lively bar (The Seville) and lots on-site services to choose from. When I recently stayed there, I was especially impressed by the many beauty and wellness treatments available at the property. As someone who spends a…
— Forbes
Other and Odd
Coronavirus: Your guide to travel warnings, flights, cruises, hotels
The world has been scrambling to contain the new coronavirus, which has infected tens of thousands of people and killed nearly 3,000. The travel industry in turn faces an unprecedented situation. What is the U.S. government recommending? How can airlines, cruise lines and hotels accommodate travelers? While the coronavirus situation is fluid, the government and the industry are taking and…
— USA Today
How Luxury Travel And Sustainability Are Finding Harmony
Luxury travel is changing as sustainability comes front and center for the $8.8 trillion travel industry, a sector responsible for one in 10 jobs globally, according to the World Travel & Tourism Council. IHG is a major hospitality player with over 883,000 rooms and more than 5,900 hotels, with another 1,900 in the pipeline. Along with its InterContinental and Holiday Inn brands, it has become a growing player in the…
— Forbes
Record Heat Melted Away 20% Of This Antarctic Island's Snow
A heatwave in Antarctica's Eagle Island is estimated to have melted about 20 percent of this season’s snowfall in just a few days this month. On Feb. 6, it was about the same temperature at the contentment's northern tip as it was on the same day in Los Angeles at 69.3 degrees Fahrenheit, according to the NASA Earth Observatory. Eagle Island — one of Antarctica’s closest points to South America — lost one inch of…
— Travel+Leisure
Today in History
The Grand Canyon Becomes a National Park
In 1908 President Theodore Roosevelt signed legislation giving the Grand Canyon status as a National Monument. On February 26th, 1919, by an act of the United States Congress, Grand Canyon National Monument became Grand Canyon National Park. Today, the Grand Canyon National Park receives over 4…
— Travel Research Online
Press Releases of Interest
Collette Highlights Faith Based Tours as the Season of Lent Begins
Pawtucket, RI (February 24, 2020) – Collette, global tour operator, highlights faith based tours as Lent begins this week. Faith itineraries are designed to inspire and enrich. They’re for those who want more out of their travel on a spiritual level, and want to witness the special religious landmarks in the world. Guests will see…
— Travel Research Online
Supplier Profile
The Emerald Touch of Enterprise
 Enterprise Holdings Inc. has been the largest vehicle rental companies in the world for quite some time now. Enterprise Holdings offers travelers three great car rental brands. Alamo Rent A Car, Enterprise Rent-A-Car and National Car Rental are internationally recognized brands with an extensive global car rental network.
The three brands are immediately recognized by travelers and agents/advisors; their goals align well with the travel industry. This makes them an important cog in the workings of…
— Travel Research Online
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Motivationally Speaking...
For Raving Fans, Put On A Performance
by Stuart Cohen
Wednesday February 26, 2020
I fired my HVAC company because they made big customer service promises that they could not deliver. Their technicians, who were friendly and capable, were not to blame. Folks in the call center dropped the…
— Travel Research Online
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Mike’s 1-Minute Marketing Memos
The Deadliest Sale Mistake
by Mike Marchev
Wednesday February 26, 2020
I know what you ’re thinking. How can I isolate, hands-down, the single most glaring error a professional can make in the field of salesmanship? You are probably wondering right now about the myriad possibilities to choose from, including lack of follow-up, talking too much, inconsistency, failure to listen, and a hundred more sales-related snafus – as well as the more obvious business-killing…
— Travel Research Online
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Upcoming Training Opportunities
You CAN Compete with Costco Travel!
Thursday, March 5, 2020 at 11 am EST/8 am PST
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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 ➠
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