|
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
10 Best Places to Retire in Florida
Retiring in Florida is a goal for many baby boomers across the country – and the world, for that matter. Year-round warm weather, sandy beaches, natural beauty, theme parks, and plenty of cultural attractions make the Sunshine State an attractive place to settle down. In addition to all of that, tax advantages are a major draw. Florida has no state income tax, and that holds true for social security…
— Travel+Leisure
Lithuanian city flirts with becoming one large outdoor café
Restaurants, cafés and bars in the Old Town of Vilnius, Lithuania, used to be fortunate to have a sidewalk table or two as part of their overall business operations. But in a concerted effort to keep businesses such as these afloat, Vilnius Mayor Remigijus Šimašius has put a generous spin on the city's outdoor dining scene. On the city's plazas, squares and streets, "nearby cafés will be able to set up…
— CNN
Tours and Activities
A New California: Virtual travel and the revival of the road trip
The longing to get out of the house is perhaps stronger than ever. The coronavirus has forced us to cancel everything from spring break travel to weekend get-aways. For now, the only way we’re traveling is virtually. If you haven’t already taken advantage of it, you can tour a national park online on the national park…
— Fox 11
Teaching kids at home? Classroom-worthy virtual experiences can ease your burden
Magician Mat Franco continues to shine, even though his nightly show on the Vegas Strip shut down in mid-March because of the coronavirus. Instead of being onstage, he is online. “This isn’t the same thing as just filming a video and putting it up on Instagram,” said Franco, an “America’s Got Talent” winner. “It’s happening and I’m interacting with everyone who’s in the chat.” Across…
— LA Times
Cruise
Stranded At Sea: Nearly 800 Crew Members Stuck On Cruise Ship For 45 Days Over Coronavirus Concerns
Holland America cruise ship Oosterdam sailed out from the Port of Los Angeles Tuesday night — with its crew still aboard. The last time the ship had passengers was March 14, before the coronavirus pandemic exploded in the United States. Ever since, nearly 800 crew members from 100 countries have been stranded at sea. Holland America had hoped that they would be able to disembark the crew in Los…
— CBS Los Angeles
MSC Cruises Further Extends Global Suspension of Cruise Operations to July 10
MSC Cruises has further extended the global suspension of all its cruise operations from May 29 to July 10. The line is giving passengers a Future Cruise Credit (FCC) which allows them to transfer the full amount paid for their cancelled cruise to a future cruise of their choice -- on any ship, for any itinerary -- through to the end of 2021. In addition, UK & Irish passengers will receive an additional 25 percent FCC…
— CruiseCritic.com
Transportation
Southwest CEO: Travel won't resume until places like Disney World reopen
Southwest Airlines filled just 6 percent of its seats in April and doesn't expect the figure to inch up past 10 percent in May. "The traffic levels are next to zero at this point,'' Southwest CEO Gary Kelly said in an interview on CNBC Tuesday. So what will it take for passengers to return amid the coronavirus pandemic? Travel attraction reopenings and new safety measures at the airport and on airplanes, Kelly…
— USA Today
British Airways set to cut up to 12,000 jobs
The airline's parent company, IAG, said it needed to impose a "restructuring and redundancy programme" until demand for air travel returns to 2019 levels. The pilots' union Balpa said it was "devastated" at the news and vowed to fight "every single" job cut. IAG also owns Spanish airline Iberia and Ireland's Aer Lingus. In a statement, IAG said: "The proposals remain subject to consultation, but it is…
— BBC
American Airlines Donated 25,000 Meals That Would Have Been Served in the Air
In what has become a common effort among airlines, American has donated 25,000 meals through a partnership with local restaurants in Chicago and Washington, D.C. The airline teamed up with the LEE Initiative’s Restaurant Workers Relief Program to donate the meals that would have been served inflight. The LEE Initiative has turned local restaurants in cities across the country into relief centers offering…
— Travel+Leisure
Lodging
Buy Now And Save: Here’s Another Way To Get Great Deals On Hotels For Post COVID-19 Travel
No matter where you look around the world, the hospitality industry is in a sad state. Hotels continue to struggle, and many have pushed back their once-optimistic May reopening dates due to the on-going situation surrounding COVID-19. But, that doesn’t mean they will go quietly into the night. A number of programs started by marketing firms and industry professionals are helping to provide hope to…
— Forbes
Luxury hotels benefited from PPP loans. So did the investment trusts that own them
The Ritz-Carlton on Peachtree Street in Atlanta’s downtown boasts well-appointed suites with skyline views, chic amenities and a cocktail bar that slings $17 juleps. Before the coronavirus pandemic forced the hotel to close its doors, a standard room could go for between $440 and $650 a night. To offset the financial impact of the virus, the hotel applied for a potentially forgivable loan through the…
— ABC News
Other and Odd
Obama’s Healthcare Guru: What It Will Take For Americans To Travel Again
As about a dozen governors around the country begin to relax COVID-19 restrictions, some stir-crazy Americans are already champing at the bit to take their first post-pandemic getaway. But are they jumping the gun? Obama’s healthcare guru thinks they might be asking the wrong questions. “Don’t ask yourself ‘Does my governor think it’s safe?’ or ‘Do the politicians allow me to do it?’” said Andy Slavitt,…
— Forbes
Five weeks off and nowhere to go: How coronavirus sabotaged the European vacation
Last week, the Czech Republic’s alcohol industry trade body shared some sobering news. Although market researchers had noted a 14% year-over-year uptick in booze sales for March, those sales comprised all that retailers had sold to locals who were staying at home during the country’s coronavirus lockdown. Sales in hotels, restaurants, and bars had flatlined—unsurprisingly, given their closure—and,…
— Fortune
Today in History
Joan of Arc Enters Orleans
For over 116 years, France and England were at war. The English House of Plantagenet and the French House of Valois both claimed the French throne based on lineage. In April of 1429, the French city of Orleans was under siege by the English. The battle was a stalemate. English forces were not strong enough to…
— Travel Research Online
Upcoming Training Opportunities
Universal Parks & Resorts Vacations Overview
Wednesday, May 13, 2020 at 1 pm EDT/10 am PDT
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 ➠
|
|
|
Use TRO every day to find travel guides, e-postcards, and other resources you can personalize and send to your clients.
|
TRO Travel Specials
|
|
If you are looking for ways to build your prospect list, you might want to think about contributing to…