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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
Is international travel allowed yet? See when popular destinations are reopening their borders
Americans with a bad case of wanderlust may have to wait until later this summer to vacation abroad – and even then, the pickings will still be slim. Parts of Mexico and the Caribbean have targeted dates in early to mid-June for reopening from coronavirus restrictions, but Europe will lag, opening first to other citizens of European Union and Schengen Area countries before welcoming international…
— USA Today
Is Hawaii Open For Travel?
Tourists are hoping to visit their favorite places this summer. A top destination for most lists is Hawaii. But is Hawaii open for tourists this summer? Medium-risk businesses will reopen by June 2020 across the various islands. These businesses often require close contact with customers, such as gyms and dine-in restaurants. Each county mayor can decide when these businesses can open. The…
— Forbes
Tours and Activities
The 25 Best Beaches in the U.S.
As summer approaches, you likely have one thing on your mind: the beach. But not all sandy stretches are created equal. Many different criteria define the perfect beach: the sand, the waves (or lack thereof), the level seclusion, the public transportation and accessible parking, the boardwalk, the activities, and even the amount of shaded trees. Some blissful stretches are found alongside…
— Travel+Leisure
Riz au lait: A simple French dish made from pantry staples
Almost the moment that lockdown was announced in France, chefs started posting recipes for French comfort food desserts on Instagram, hoping to spread a bit of sweetness among their fellow citizens. But while crepes, yogurt cake and madeleines all certainly emerged, the recipe to feature most frequently, from the feed of Michelin-starred Stéphanie le Quellec to those of renowned…
— BBC
This New Jersey State Park Is the Beach Escape You Need Right Now
People in New Jersey spend a lot of time defending New Jersey. I’m not here to tell you my home state is better than the rest, or that the bagels here are superior to New York's (they are). But I am here to tell you that, hidden beyond all your preconceived notions of the Garden State, there exists a breathtakingly beautiful, largely isolated beach, an all-timer devoid of fist pumps and all things…
— Thrillist
Cruise
Royal Caribbean cancels most sailings through July, 'difficult' to predict recovery timeline
Royal Caribbean is extending its sailing suspension through July 31, Michael Bayley, president and CEO of Royal Caribbean International, revealed on the cruise line's parent company's first-quarter earnings call Wednesday. "The only exception to the suspension will be China operations," Bayley noted. The company isn't sure what sailing will look like when ships resume…
— USA Today
Royal Caribbean, Celebrity, Azamara and Silversea Extend Cruise Suspensions Into Summer
Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd., the parent company of Royal Caribbean International, Celebrity Cruises, Azamara and Silversea Cruises, has extended its sailing suspsensions into the summer, with Royal Caribbean, Celebrity and Azamara canceling voyages through July 31, 2020. The extension does not include Royal Caribbean's sailings from China, which will be suspended through June. Suspension…
— CruiseCritic.com
Transportation
Everything You Need to Know Before Renting an RV for the First Time
If you’re renting an RV for the first time, you probably have a lot of questions: How much does it cost to rent an RV? What kind of RV or trailer should I rent? What should I pack? Thankfully, we have the answers to your RV questions, so you can hit the road with confidence this summer. We spoke to Paige Bouma, vice president at RV Trader, and Megan Buemi, senior manager of…
— Travel+Leisure
JetBlue Is Blocking All Middle Seats Through Early July
Just before Memorial Day Weekend—traditionally one of the busiest weekends for airlines—JetBlue is launching new health and safety measures in the hopes of making would-be travelers feel more comfortable on its planes during the coronavirus outbreak. "Our hope is as shelter-in-place orders are lifted and states start opening up, that we do believe there’s going to be some pent up demand for…
— Conde Nast Traveler
Lodging
These Are The Oldest Hotels Worth Visiting In North America
“When you get into a hotel room, you lock the door, and you know there is secrecy, there is a luxury, there is fantasy. There is comfort. There is reassurance.” Diane von Furstenberg famously said—and we couldn’t agree more. Between the elevated creature comforts and the sense of wonder lurking around each corner, old-world luxury is at its best beyond the doors of a classic hotel…
— Forbes
Entire Hamptons hotel can be rented for $1M for coronavirus-safe summer
All that’s missing are the bell hops! A luxury hotel in the Hamptons is renting the entire place to one lucky person for the summer for $1 million during the coronavirus crisis — complete with a chef and housekeeping staff for an extra $100,000, according to a report. Hedges Inn, a historic bed and breakfast in East Hampton, will allow a tenant to live full-time in the building from June 1 to Labor…
— New York Post
Other and Odd
Paradise and the pandemic: Tourist hotspots hope summer travel heats up
Tourist hotspots around the world face a daunting challenge: how to bring in much-needed visitors while keeping COVID-19 out. Why it matters: As the summer season heats up in the Northern Hemisphere, that’s a multitrillion-dollar question. Few places on Earth are more dependent on international arrivals than Aruba, where tourism accounted for 86% of GDP in 2018. Live videos showed sunny…
— Axios
How This Vintage Designer Is Supporting Hard-Hit Navajo Nation During the Coronavirus
When Amy Yeung decided to leave her work as a design executive in Los Angeles, she knew there was only one place to go: New Mexico. The entrepreneur and designer was longing for a purposeful new life chapter and, more specifically, a connection with her Indigenous heritage in the region. So she packed up her former life, and left for a more nomadic lifestyle in Albuquerque and…
— Conde Nast Traveler
Today in History
The Founding of the American Red Cross
On this day in 1881, Clara Barton founded the American Red Cross. A schoolteacher during the American Civil War, Barton traveled to Europe and while there saw the work of the International Red Cross during the Franco-Prussian War. Upon her return, Barton began the process of generating the necessary…
— Travel Research Online
Departures
The National Parks of Colorado
 Colorado is a nature-lover’s dream come true. Snow-tipped mountains in the distance, with trails and valleys snaking through its pristine landscapes. Lush alpine forests, desert dunes, and sights that bring forth inspiration from scenery nearly unmatched. These qualities are more than abundant at the national parks of…
— Travel Research Online
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Mike’s 1-Minute Marketing Memos
Testimonials Are Powerful Things
 Recently, I found myself flipping through the restaurant review section of my local newspaper and I spotted one "food joint" where I thought I would like to try for an upcoming night out. I had heard a few good things from friends and felt comfortable in my decision to call and make a reservation for the next date-night with my wife Barbara. I began reading the reviews thinking that they were only going to reinforce my decision. I was wrong – very, very…
— Travel Research Online
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Upcoming Training Opportunities
The Blue-Roads Touring Difference
Wednesday, May 27, 2020 at 1 pm EDT/10 am PDT
Join us to learn about what is new for the 2021 Season with Blue-Roads Touring. We will discuss the Blue-Roads Difference in tour that will entice your clients to want to travel with us. They will enjoy the company of a small group as our tours in Europe have between 14-18 passengers per coach.
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years… It’s now 2030. Let’s just imagine what we’ll be saying as we look back on…