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Thursday April 09, 2020

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

As China lifts restrictions, here's where its people want to travel
As China slowly eases lockdown restrictions and life returns to somewhat normal conditions, residents have once again started traveling. From the Bund waterfront in Shanghai to scenic Huangshan Mountain park in the eastern Anhui province, major landmarks across the country welcomed thousands of visitors over the weekend. But an uptick in domestic sight-seeing doesn't necessarily mean international…

It’s one of the harshest places on Earth — and travelers love it
It’s been called one of the most alien places on earth — a “gateway to hell” and, in the words of British explorer Wilfred Thesiger, a veritable “land of death.” The sulfurous hot springs, acid pools, steaming fissures and salt mountains of the Danakil Depression resemble scenes from a science fiction movie. But the area is very real — and it’s one of Ethiopia’s top attractions. One of the…

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Tours and Activities

The ride that always delivers: cycling the Postman's Path, Isle of Harris
I stand at the end of the concrete slipway, looking out over a mercury-like sea. A seal pops its head through the surface before slipping back into the Hebridean waters. Low clouds hang with all the weight of Harris Tweed and the late July dusk illuminates the craggy coastline surrounding the small harbour. At my back is the house of Kenny and Moira MacKay, who are in their 80s. I imagine the…

Five Ways To Bring The Spirit Of Aloha Into Your Home
The greeting, used in all Polynesian languages, is also used to convey love, harmony, thoughtfulness, and humanity. The Aloha Spirit law, in fact, mandates kindness. It’s expected, through the principles of aloha, that people treat each other, and the land, with respect and care. If you’ve traveled to, or flown above, the Hawaiian Islands, an archipelago of eight major islands, or if you’ve dreamed…

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Cruise

Coronavirus cuts short Princess Cruises' 'Love Boat' world cruise, ship heads to Los Angeles
The "Love Boat," caught up in the coronavirus pandemic, is coming to the port that made it famous. The Pacific Princess, the next generation of the cruise ship that gained fame from the popular "Love Boat" television series in the 1970s and 1980s, is sailing to Honolulu and then on to Los Angeles, Princess Cruises said Wednesday. The ship departed Fort Lauderdale, Fla., on Jan. 5, for a…

AmaWaterways Extends Suspension of River Cruises Through June 30
AmaWaterways has extended its fleet suspension, canceling all Europe, Asia and Africa river cruises through June 30, 2020. The line initially revealed an operational suspension on March 13 -- which was extended on March 23 through May 31 -- before extending for a third time on April 7 as a result of the global COVID-19 pandemic. "The health and safety of our guests, and the wellbeing of our…

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Transportation

Chemo treatments, a sick wife, the birth of a baby: A snapshot of why people are flying during the coronavirus crisis
“Why are we still flying? Is this necessary?’’ Southwest Airlines CEO Gary Kelly has fielded these questions from employees on an almost daily basis since the coronavirus pandemic began spreading across the country, turning airports into ghost towns. Kelly and other airline executives always have the same answer: because some people still need to fly. On Tuesday, the airline tweeted about a…

A Complete Guide to International Airlines' Coronavirus Policies
The global situation concerning the new coronavirus outbreak, or COVID-19, is changing rapidly every day. Guidance on where to travel and whether airlines will be flying to certain destinations around the world is evolving hour to hour. The majority of airlines are waiving change and cancellation fees for at least the next couple of months, or in some cases, through the end of the year. Many carriers…

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Lodging

Airbnb bets on virtual travel experiences
As coronavirus spreads across the globe, many are scouring the news for hints of what's to come. From his home base in New York City's East Village, however, Turkish-American Uluç Ülgen offers another way to peer into the future. Ülgen, the host of The Turkish Coffee Therapy, is a devotee of the ancient Turkish tradition of reading the future in coffee grounds. "When you reach the bottom of…

More U.S. Hotel Closures Likely With Occupancy Rates Near 20%
Occupancy rates at U.S. hotels fell slightly to 22% in the week ending April 4, as social-distancing measures continued to batter travel companies. The key industry metric fell below 20% in a majority of the 25 largest markets, according to lodging data firm STR. With so few hotel guests, more properties are likely to close, according to a research note from SunTrust Robinson Humphrey. “We assume…

Other and Odd

Poll: Two-Thirds Of Americans Won’t Travel For At Least Three Months After COVID-19 Subsides
As COVID-19 cases and deaths continue to rise the United States, Americans have grown more wary about taking trips this year, according to ongoing tracking by the Harris Poll. A bleak indicator for the summer travel season: Only one-third of Americans (33%) say they’ll stay in a hotel and barely a quarter (28%) will be ready to fly within three months of the COVID-19 curve flattening. “It’s…

Traveling by Ear: 13 Podcasts for Wandering Souls
For most travelers nowadays, home is the only destination. Yet thanks to some imaginative podcasts, you can still explore the world. The following were selected because rather than focus on such things as miles and points, they’re transportive — rife with the sounds of cities and wilderness, conversations with creative thinkers, and ways to change your life through adventure and language…

10 Mistakes You Might Make When Traveling Solo — and How to Avoid Them
Taking a solo vacation is a rite of passage for just about every serious traveler. Going it alone has become a badge of honor that globetrotters simply love to brag about — and with good reason. Daunting as it may be, solo trips can be rewarding, life-changing experiences. In fact, once you traverse the world alone, you’ll feel like you can accomplish anything. But before you take off on…

Today in History

Robert E. Lee Surrenders
The end of the American Civil War was near as Sherman left Atlanta and marched his troops to Savannah in December of 1864. Although it briefly appeared that England might enter the war on the side of the South, those hopes began to fade. On April 1, 1865, the Union forced General Robert E. Lee to…

Spotlight

John Graham, President, Travel World VR
by Joseph DeLoach
Thursday April 09, 2020

John started his travel career with OAG Travel Magazines in 1989, working in marketing and sales with their highly successful TravelAge Trade Shows. He phased into also selling TV sponsorships and advertising for The World of Travel, which aired at major travel conferences…

  — Travel Research Online
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Mike’s 1-Minute Marketing Memos

LEARNING: More Important Then Ever

 

I am astounded how people seem to have an aversion to reading non-fiction materials these days. Stephen King, Agatha Christie, J.K. Rowling, John Grisham and Margaret Atwood are names of authors that may sound familiar. How about Seth Godin, David Newman, Don Hutson, Dr. Jeffrey Lant. Not so much I bet.

A recent study indicates that 70% of our high school graduates head off to college. Of those who give higher learning a shot, a little over 50% graduate from college in four years. (The percentage is higher for those who take longer to complete their degree’s…

  — Travel Research Online
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