|
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
New York Becomes the Latest State to Ban Single-use Plastic Bags
New York became the latest state to ban plastic bags over the weekend in an effort to combat climate change and plastic waste. The effort, CNN reported, went into effect on Sunday but won’t be legally enforced until at least April 1. It also allows stores to charge a 5-cent fee for paper bags. "Right this minute, plastic bags are hanging in trees, blowing down the streets, filling up our landfills and polluting our lakes,…
— Travel+Leisure
The world's largest island is finally drawing tourists
Confusingly named, enticingly remote and increasingly popular, the chilly island of Greenland is fast becoming the dark horse of 2020 travel destinations. Before planning their trips, most visitors know little about the Arctic destination beyond vague ideas about its misleading nomenclature — “Greenland is icy whereas Iceland is green, right?” — or its link to popular culture, namely: “It’s the one singer Bjork…
— CNBC
Tours and Activities
Trippin’ out on olives: a food lover’s guide to the Peloponnese
When I first went to Greece, some 30 years ago, I was a teenage backpacker and survived on biscuits and scrumped (delicious) lemons. I didn’t discover the joys of Greek food until I lived there as an English teacher after university. At the time supermarkets, such as they were, only sold canned and frozen food. I had to develop a new way of shopping: in markets, grocers and butchers, buying what was fresh, local and in…
— The Guardian
Newly Discovered Galápagos Tortoise May Give Hope to a Subspecies Experts Believed Was Extinct
There may be hope for a Galápagos tortoise that was thought to be extinct, as experts discovered a young tortoise that is partially related to the subspecies, according to reports. The tortoise subspecies, Chelonoidis abingdonii, was believed to have died out in 2012, when the last animal of its kind — called Lonesome George — passed away, NBC News reported. At the time, Lonesome George was reportedly more than 100…
— Travel+Leisure
Cruise
The Diamond Princess Cruise Ship is Now Empty After Coronavirus Quarantine
A final group of 130 crew members have left the quarantined Diamond Princess cruise ship. Japanese Health Minister Katsunobu Kato announced during a press conference Sunday that the ship — that was carrying 3,711 people — is now ready for sterilization and safety checks, according to The Associated Press. However, he did not announce a timeframe for when the checks will be completed. Of all the passengers…
— Travel+Leisure
Virgin Voyages Cancels New York City Debut Amid Coronavirus
Virgin Voyages has postponed a preview of its ship, Scarlet Lady, which was scheduled to make its New York City debut later this week. In a surprising announcement made by the cruise line, a spokesperson for Virgin said: “In light of the current news headlines, we want to ensure everyone feels it is the right time to celebrate with us. We understand people may want to focus on other things at the moment, so we…
— Forbes
How I Became the First Female CEO of a Major Cruise Line
In the third installment of our "How I Became" series, we're focusing less about traveling around the world—and more about traveling up the corporate ladder. In conversation with Lisa Lutoff-Perlo, Celebrity Cruises' president and CEO and the first woman to hold that title in industry history, we look back at how she started her career and rose to the top with no female mentors or advocates in sight. Along the way, we…
— Conde Nast Traveler
Transportation
Airline industry braced for major threat from coronavirus turmoil
The airline industry often finds itself on the corporate frontline when global disaster strikes. The 9/11 attacks, the Sars outbreak and the credit crunch all posed a serious threat to a sector that has always struggled to make consistent profits. The coronavirus crisis marks another dangerous moment for airlines, which are already facing multibillion-dollar revenue losses as the disease hits demand. Carriers around the…
— The Guardian
What airlines are doing to sanitize planes
As new cases of novel coronavirus are growing, the travel industry is feeling the impact -- with vacationers and business people debating whether or not to cancel or postpone trips, and some countries, including the US, implementing travel restrictions. But airplanes are still flying, and travelers still traveling, albeit with extra bottles of hand sanitizer and disinfectant wipes in carry-ons. Still, as you board the aircraft and sit…
— CNN
Lodging
America’s Best Private Island Resort Is Back And Better Than Ever
An unusually destructive hurricane - even for the worst possible Category 5 - 2017’s Irma was considered the most powerful storm ever for the open Atlantic region and the worst to hit the U.S. since Katrina twelve years earlier. In addition to catastrophic destruction across the northern Caribbean, it was devastating in the Florida Keys. As a result, it has taken two and a half years for one of the nation’s most iconic luxury…
— Forbes
Las Vegas hotels raise resort fees to record levels due to coronavirus
Guests checking into four Las Vegas hotels from today onwards will be asked to pay extra. The increase in resort fees is believed to be as a result of the coronavirus scare, which has led to a downturn in business. Fees will increase at Bally's Las Vegas, Flamingo Las Vegas, Harrah's Las Vegas and The Linq. They are all part of the Caesars Group. Hotels use resort fees, which typically add around £30 to the nightly room…
— The Independent
Other and Odd
Travel expert talks coronavirus and if you should change your plans
Coronavirus concerns have sparked second thoughts from some about traveling. But if you already have scheduled a trip, should you cancel it now? "This is probably one of the more difficult ones because it seems to have spread more worldwide," said David Fishman. "Since 9/11 I really haven't had experience with people with so much fear in regards to travel." Fishman, who owns the Cadillac Travel Group in…
— Fox News
Standard travel insurance won’t cover trip cancellation for coronavirus
If you have a trip planned, you are likely worried it may be impacted by the coronavirus. As the virus outbreak spreads in the U.S., Squaremouth, a travel insurance comparison business in St. Petersburg, reports a 400 percent increase in calls about insurance. The question asked most: does trip insurance cover you if you don’t want want to travel because of the outbreak? What if you become sick and can’t…
— NBC 8
At 90, Foreign Correspondent Hella Pick Looks Back at a Life Full of Travel
It was a cold winter day in 1939. I was eight years old and on my first big journey, a combined train and boat trip from Vienna to London. I was alone, just carrying a small suitcase. I was a refugee—a Kindertransport child, one of thousands of Jewish children being rescued from Nazi-occupied Austria. It was a journey never to be forgotten; always to be remembered as the first big rupture in my life. The Nazis had torn…
— Conde Nast Traveler
Today in History
Ponce de Leon
On this day in 1513, Ponce de Leon set sail from Puerto Rico to find the fabled Fountain of Youth. Caribbean Indian legends spoke of magical waters, a drink of which would guarantee a life free from the worries of old age. Ponce de Leon had served with Christopher Columbus on his second voyage and became the governor of…
— Travel Research Online
Press Releases of Interest
South African Airways Vacations® Offers Big Savings For Families With 50% Off For Kids Under 18 On The “Best Of South Africa” Package
Fort Lauderdale, FL (March 2, 2020) - South African Airways Vacations® (SAA Vacations®), the leisure division of South African Airways, is offering a discount of 50% for children under age 18 on its popular “Best of South Africa” air-inclusive package. Starting from $4,999* (restrictions apply) person and $2,499* (restrictions…
— Travel Research Online
60-Second Geography
The Enchantments of Scotland
by Joseph DeLoach
Tuesday March 03, 2020
The myths and legends of Scotland are mysterious, fitting of the storyteller culture that has emerged in its people. They call forth the natural surroundings of foggy coasts and cliffs. With more than 790 islands along its coast and hills as far as the eye can see, Scotland has plenty of true wilderness to explore. Its cities are reminiscent of the middle ages that coexist with the growing modern world. Add in a hospitable and down-to-earth people – you’ve go an amazing destination for the traveler all…
— Travel Research Online
Read the rest of this article »
|
Mike’s 1-Minute Marketing Memos
It's All About Action
 In my live seminars, I often share a story about an interview with Howard Cosell and Jimmy “The Greek” Snyder. Howard Cosell was an ex-lawyer turned broadcaster whose claim to fame hinged on his relationship with Mohammed Ali. The “Greek” was an odds maker turned football analyst until his on-air faux pas ended his…
— Travel Research Online
Read the rest of this article »
|
Upcoming Training Opportunities
You CAN Compete with Costco Travel!
Thursday, March 5, 2020 at 11 am EST/8 am PST
Nothing is more frustrating than when your client tells you they called Costco.
Low price, amenities, rebates…all cleverly disguised as gift cards.
What can you do?
The answer is “A lot more than you might think.”
If you don’t think the Costco client is your target – you are dead wrong!
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
|
|
