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Monday May 11, 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

The future of tourism in the coronavirus era: Asia may hold answers to what's ahead
It's a sunny day on Bangkok's most famous tourist street, and shopkeeper Cletana Thangworachai is open for business. Her Khao San Road shop is crowded with shiny magnets, brightly colored elephant key rings and the patterned cotton pants that have become an unofficial uniform for backpackers in Southeast Asia. But for now, there's no one to buy them. The coronavirus pandemic has had…

Copenhagen Landmarks Like Tivoli Gardens Have Reopened—As Temporary Kindergartens
In Denmark, as in many countries throughout the world, the closure of schools during the pandemic has turned parents into homeschool teachers, multitasking caretakers, and 24/7 playmates for their children—a challenge for essential workers and those who continue to work from home. While parents looked to the reopening of schools as childcare relief, another problem has come up…

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Tours and Activities

Have you been to the Garden of Eden? It's in Bedford
That the Garden of Eden remains absent from travel bucket lists is, perhaps, unsurprising. Unlike El Dorado or Lyonesse, however, its location is no mystery. It even has an address: 12 Albany Road, Bedford. And while the Victorian house is modest in size, its garden does boast a cosy tearoom, and how it came to be there is as surprising as its geography. More than 200 years ago, religious…

How Photographing Wildlife on My First Safari Taught Me the Virtues of Patience
“Adopt the pace of nature,” wrote Ralph Waldo Emerson. “Her secret is patience”. Patience was a trait I had never been able to master, especially when it came to photographing nature. As a photographer specializing in food and hotel interiors — also known as “subjects that don’t move” — I had only dabbled in the world of wildlife photography. Before my first safari, I’d taken the occasional photo…

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Cruise

The CDC hasn't advised cruise lines yet about when they can resume travel
A "No Sail Order" for cruises has been extended until July 24 by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention due to cruises' unique aspects that can cause coronavirus outbreaks. The CDC website says it has "reason to believe that cruise ship travel may continue to introduce, transmit, or spread Covid-19." "We have been learning a lot over the last four months about this virus and the…

Carnival bookings soar despite coronavirus, travel company says
Wanderlust is strong among Carnival Cruise Line fans, according to a TMZ report. A representative from the American Express travel franchise Cruise Planners told the tabloid that cruise bookings increased exponentially after Carnival announced it intends to resume some cruises in August. Three days after the announcement, the travel company’s Carnival bookings went up by 600 percent…

Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings 'Here To Stay,' Eyeing Late 2020 Return
With $3.5 billion in cash after new fundraising through equity and debt offerings, Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings is "here to stay, and has all the resources necessary" to be successful through the COVID-19 global pandemic, President and CEO Frank Del Rio told Cruise Critic exclusively. In an interview Thursday, Del Rio spoke openly of the concerns facing the cruise industry, as it rebuilds after…

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Transportation

Future Air Travel: Four-Hour Process, Self Check-In, Disinfection, Immunity Passes
Once airports and borders open again and people are able to fly freely — a process already in play as airports of all sizes around the world ready strategies to ensure healthy air travel — how much are you ready to change your flying habits? As much as was required after 9/11? Less? More? Considering some of the changes already happening and the many more recommended before airports…

LAX Will Now Require All Travelers to Wear Face Masks
Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) announced new measures this week to keep travelers safe, including its latest rule that all travelers coming into LAX terminals must wear a mask. “Beginning Monday, May 11, all persons within LAX terminals will be required to wear face coverings,” airport officials shared in a statement. “This policy is in line with guidance from public health officials and…

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Lodging

Hotels face uphill battle with less travel
The Hampton Inn of Wheeling has just received the top Hampton in the Americas award… for the second time! While they are pleased and grateful, they are have an uphill battle just like all others in the hospitality industry. With all entertainment events, sports, festivals and conventions canceled, they say people aren’t traveling, which means less reservations at hotels. I’ve been in this business for…

How a new Arizona hotel is preparing to open in a post-coronavirus travel landscape
At a time when Arizona's hospitality industry is furloughing its workforce and temporarily closing resorts, a new boutique hotel in Tucson is holding virtual job fairs. In fact, Tucson native Vishal Patel and his business partner Sunny Patel are optimistic that they could open their 112-room property, The Tuxon, just as people are ready to return to travel this summer with features guests will be…

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Other and Odd

US Citizens Shouldn't Assume That They'll Be Able To Travel Internationally Anytime Soon
I made the conscious decision to see out the current crisis outside of the US and away from my home in Los Angeles and, as a result, I’m getting a close look at how another country is handling the pandemic and how other countries are viewing the US response to Covid-19. The news on the latter isn’t good. If you’re reading this is in the US right now allow me to make one thing very clear from…

Quarantine could finish off hundreds of travel firms, industry figures warn
With the decision to impose a mandatory 14-day quarantine for almost everyone arriving in the UK by air, travel industry insiders say the government has consigned hundreds of holiday firms to failure. Two months after the World Health Organisation (WHO) declared that coronavirus had become a global pandemic, the prime minister has announced mandatory quarantine for new arrivals by air.…

Today in History

ValuJet Flight 592
On May 11, 1996, technicians for the SabreTech corporation loaded cases of oxygen canisters aboard low-cost carrier ValuJet's flight 592 from Miami to Hartsfield Atlanta International Airport in Atlanta, Georgia. The canisters were mistakenly thought to be empty, but loading them into the cargo hold was…

Editorial Musings

Travel and the one-percenters
by John Frenaye
Monday May 11, 2020

Throughout my travel career, the majority of my clients have been what I call “typical travelers.” One or two family vacations per year—maybe a splurge on Disney or Europe every five years.  And then I have a few what I consider “one-percenters” who travel without any need for a budget. They were always nice to have—demanding, but pleasant to work with. But will all that change as the travel industry tries to recover from the most significant obstacle ever faced?

My fear, as we come from this is that being a citizen of the world will no longer be attainable for the average person. It will become the privilege of the top one percent.

Back in the 1960s and 1970s traveling was a true luxury for most…

  — Travel Research Online
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Publishers Corner

Listing your business with Google Local Search
by Richard Earls
Monday May 11, 2020

We sometimes exhibit an auto-magical thinking about websites much like Field of Dreams. We believe if we build a site, then people will just come to it and “Sales” will happen.  I hate to break it to you but that is not the way it works. Your website has to be marketed. Ironic that one of your key marketing tools has to be marketed, but it does. Over the next few weeks, we are going to cover a few items you can undertake during the travel standstill to enhance your visibility. Keeping the lights on is important, as many will not be marketing during this difficult time. Those who market appropriately will be remembered when travel comes back.

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

Do What Works

 

As I often do, I asked my coaching students to share their recent good news / bad news stories. I do this so we can all learn from each other, from both good and bad experiences.

The topic was promotion and, more specifically, how we can promote our services. I offered an idea and one student immediately shared the fact that she had done exactly what I was talking about... and that it worked to…

  — Travel Research Online
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Upcoming Training Opportunities


Can You Rebuild Your Travel Business in Half the Expected Time?

Can You Rebuild Your Travel Business in Half the Expected Time?

Wednesday, May 20, 2020 at 11 am EDT/8 am PDT

Travel will likely begin again in a few months, but most likely years before the industry fully recovers to pre-virus levels. Experience is a great teacher and after every major crisis, those who focus on the fundamentals typically recover much faster than those who don’t. Why? Because over the years, we have made the business much more complicated than it really is.

Register Now ➠


Hungary - Hidden Traditions, Culinary and Nature Gems

Hungary - Hidden Traditions, Culinary and Nature Gems

Tuesday, May 19, 2020 at 1 pm EDT/10 am PDT

As you prepare for future travel, Hungary is committed to providing you exceptional unforgettable experiences, wide open spaces, delicious cuisine. Hidden in the centre of Europe is a country where you can always find something historic or modern that touches your soul, and the atmosphere is vibrant and relaxing at the same time. Where the ”aszú” grape berries are harvested during autumn, from which beautifully balanced “gold wine” is produced. Where on hilltops, deep in the valleys and on endless plains, you find the hustle of small, centuries-old villages, charming towns, luxurious castles.

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Universal Parks & Resorts Vacations Overview

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 ➠







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