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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
Uganda restricts travel from 16 countries including UK and US because of coronavirus
Uganda has restricted visitors from some countries with what it terms high cases of coronavirus, including China, France, Germany, Iran, Italy, South Korea, and Spain. "Government has decided to ask travelers from the affected countries not to come to Uganda because the high cases they are reporting can easily be imported into the country," the country's health minister…
— CNN
These 5 U.S. Cities Have the Most Morning People
Does where you live affect what time you wake up — or is there some correlation between your home city and your sleep-wake habits? Well, we’re not in any position to make those claims — but, thanks to a survey from mattress brand Brooklyn Bedding, we do know that certain cities in the U.S. are home to a higher number of early-rising citizens, on average, than other cities…
— Travel+Leisure
Tours and Activities
10 of Europe's best converted and repurposed buildings
A former tram power station in the Wola district of Warsaw now provides a home for the Warsaw Uprising Museum. What could have been a bleak, industrial setting for the history of a city betrayed and crushed during the second world war actually pulses with strength and hope. Clever use of lighting and sound draws you into the exhibits and you will lose yourself in the…
— The Guardian
Stuck at Home? These 12 Famous Museums Offer Virtual Tours You Can Take on Your Couch
Going into a self-quarantine can have many complex issues and complications beyond having enough food and supplies for two weeks. In terms of entertainment, it also probably means you’re in for a lot of boredom, a lot of Netflix, and a lot of browsing the internet. But there is a way to get a little culture and education while you’re confined to your home. According to…
— Travel+Leisure
Cruise
Saga cancels all cruises after coronavirus travel advice change
Saga, the travel and insurance company for the over-50s, has cancelled all cruises until May in response to the growing coronavirus threat. Announcing the move, Saga said its decision was sparked by the government’s latest travel advice, which states that people over 70 and those with pre-existing health conditions should avoid cruises after a number of ships around…
— The Guardian
Coronavirus Impact on Travel Causes Some Cruise Lines to Suspend Worldwide Operations
A growing number of ocean and river cruise lines have suspended all operations due to the COVID-19 pandemic and travel restrictions around the world. The shutdowns, which come after two months of altered itineraries, cancelled cruises and port closures, are part of the cruise industry's efforts to curb the spread of coronavirus and to keep passengers, crew…
— CruiseCritic.com
Transportation
Travel ban aftershocks: American, United, Delta slashing Europe flights
The battered airline industry began another round of flight cuts Thursday, this time in response to the Trump administration's strict new travel restrictions on Europe travel that go into effect late Friday. American Airlines is suspending service to all destinations in Europe including Paris, Madrid and Frankfurt through early May or June depending on the city, a move that…
— USA Today
Norwegian Air lays off 50% of workers after Trump travel ban
Airline stocks tumbled Thursday after President Donald Trump imposed a 30-day ban on travel from most of Europe, increasing the risk that carriers battling fallout from the coronavirus outbreak could run out of cash in the coming weeks, prompting mass layoffs and government bailouts. The reckoning was immediate for at least one airline. Norwegian Air, a heavily indebted…
— CNN
JetBlue CEO says coronavirus' impact on travel 'as bad as 9/11, if not worse'
JetBlue CEO Robin Hayes has described coronavirus’ impact on travel as being “as bad as 9/11, if not worse.” Since the global pandemic began, the industry has taken a massive hit as demand for flights has sharply declined. In a statement JetBlue shared with Fox News, Hayes likened the drop-off to the flight demand directly after the terrorist attacks on 9/11. “It’s at least as bad…
— Fox Travel News
Lodging
Here Are The U.S. Hotel Chains Waiving Cancellation Fees For Coronavirus
Despite the spread of COVID-19 cases in the United States, most major U.S.-based hotel chains are not yet waiving cancellation fees for American travelers who are traveling domestically — but these policies are starting to budge. While the majority of major hotel groups are limiting policy changes only to travelers coming from or traveling to affected countries in Asia or…
— Forbes
Wynn Resorts uses thermal cameras to screen guests, 100.4 degrees or higher asked to leave
In the wake of the coronavirus pandemic, Wynn Resorts is using thermal cameras to monitor the temperatures of guests. “We will be screening for temperature using non-invasive thermal cameras at all our entrances,” Wynn CEO Matt Maddox said in a statement about new company policies in response to the intensifying spread of COVID- 19. The USA TODAY Network asked…
— USA Today
Other and Odd
Health Official Warns Canadians Against Travel To The U.S. Amid Rising Number Of Cases Linked To The Country
Today, a senior Canadian official recommended that residents of the province British Columbia not travel internationally, including to the U.S. Dr Bonnie Henry, provincial health officer for British Columbia, which includes Canada’s 3rd largest city Vancouver, is the first senior Canadian official to specifically recommend against travel to the U.S. “This is a rapidly changing situation.…
— Forbes
Guide to summer travel: Where to go, what to do — and whether to book at all
As the coronavirus spreads across the globe, and travel disruptions — from visas cancellations to flight suspensions — increase by the day, many people are wondering what to do about their summer holidays, if anything at all. Will the situation be worse this summer — or better? Which countries will be safe? And is flying a good idea? As fast as questions are being answered,…
— CNBC
Today in History
Coca Cola Sold In Bottles
If you believed its press, Coca Cola was a miracle drug, capable of curing all manner of ills including morphine addiction, headaches, and impotence. Invented in 1885 in Columbus, Georgia, the drink was first sold in soda fountains in Atlanta in 1886 as a patent medicine for five cents a glass.…
— Travel Research Online
Press Releases of Interest
Katarina Line Announces Fleet-Wide Savings of Up To 40% Off On Small-Ship Cruises in Croatia for Spring and Summer 2020
With a maximum capacity of just 40 passengers, Katarina Line’s small-ship cruisers on the Adriatic provide an excellent way to see the dazzling islands and picturesque port towns of Croatia. Passengers on these small ships enjoy fresh air and swimming in the clear blue waters close…
— Travel Research Online
New York City and Coronavirus
Coronavirus. One word that is pretty much inescapable these days. Everywhere you glance - your tv, your phone, newspaper stands, emails– it is front and center as the headline more and more with each passing day. And with good reason – the World Health Organization has officially proclaimed…
— Travel Research Online
Agent Perspectives
Seven Good Reasons for Flying Non-Stop to Manchester
by Paull Tickner
Friday March 13, 2020
This week, I’ m sharpening the focus on some irresistible travel experiences in the north of England which are made all the more accessible because of Virgin Atlantic’s non-stop flights to Manchester. With airside to curbside in around 30 minutes, let me whet your appetite with an amazing Liverpool and London Beatles tour (also available in a modified format as a Liverpool shore excursion) and the idea of creating imaginative three county combinations like England, Wales and Scotland, or England, Wales and Ireland – which is what the Manchester gateway can deliver for you. Nearly all of these suggestions are for August and September…
— Travel Research Online
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Mike’s 1-Minute Marketing Memos
Hooray For The Seasons!
 As I was admiring the flight of a recent golf shot, I couldn’t help but notice the bright blue sky, the luscious green surroundings, and the white little ball heading in the right direction for a change. When Ponce De Leon named Florida “The Sunshine State” he knew exactly what he was talking…
— Travel Research Online
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Upcoming Training Opportunities
Australis 102 – Itinerary Ideas in Patagonia
Thursday, March 26, 2020 at 2 pm EDT/11 am PDT
Our last webinar Australis 101 focused on the basics of Australis Cruises, our ships, itineraries, and some online tools to help you sell Patagonia and Australis to your South America bound clients. In this webinar we will do a brief review of the basics and then offer itinerary suggestions for other areas within Patagonia that can easily be combined with the cruise to form an incredible land/sea adventure.
Register Now ➠
Buenos Aires For All Seasons
Wednesday, March 18, 2020 at 1 pm EDT/10 am PDT
Learn about Aerolineas Argentinas, the largest airline in South America. AR offers convenient connections from 37 domestic destinations in Argentina and 22 International destinations, including non-stop flights from New York’s JFK and Miami International Airport, seasonal flights from Orlando, and from Atlanta, code share flights with Delta Airlines.
Register Now ➠
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rote an article called Should You Stay? Or Should You Go? that addressed some of the concerns that our readers had about cruising during the COVID-19 outbreak. We encouraged readers to weigh the losses that they would take if they had to cancel their…