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Friday August 21, 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

8 Socially Distant Labor Day Getaway Destinations
Whether it's a long weekend road trip, an afternoon at your favorite national park or an island getaway, there are plenty of…

Zagreb the Outdoor Stage: Adapting Tourism in the Corona Era
No destination in Croatia has adapted its tourism in the corona era as well as the Croatian capital. Meet Zagreb the Outdoor…

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Cruise

MSC Refuses to Let a Family Re-board Cruise After They Separated From Shore Excursion Group
A family on MSC Cruises' first trip back on the water in the Mediterranean was not allowed back on board after separating from their group during an officially planned…

Victory Cruise Lines Announces Flexible Booking Policy for 2021
Victory Cruise Line has announced the all-new Risk-Free Booking Policy: Come Home to America in 2021. As part of the new offer, guests who book their…

Can cruising in a mask be fun? These passengers think so
Croatia’s border opening saw an influx of bookings for premier small ship cruises with Katarina Line – masks and…

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Transportation

American Airlines is dropping service to these 15 cities
American Airlines will temporarily stop flying routes to 15 small cities across the United States in October, signaling that some areas could wind up underserved as the coronavirus pandemic continues to devastate the travel…

Young children pose a dilemma for airlines with mask rules
Two recent incidents involving young children who refused to wear face masks show how airlines are struggling to balance safety with compassionate treatment of all their customers during a…

Emirates expects to resume flights to all destinations by summer 2021
The Dubai airline is hoping to serve a network of 143 destinations within a year, says its chief operating…

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Lodging

The Hotel Recovery: How Smart Brands Can Make Short-Term Sacrifices To Gain Long-Term Loyalty
As hoteliers continue their steep climb back from the greatest crisis in hospitality history, making sacrifices has been less of a strategy and more of a means for survival. Whether it's laying off employees or fighting tooth and nail for every booking, thus far there simply hasn't been another…

This Centuries-old Samurai Castle Is Now a Japanese Hotel — and Guests Are Invited to Dress Like Warriors
How’s this for an escape? A Japanese village 500 miles away from the hustle and bustle of Tokyo has turned an old wooden castle into a hotel that feels straight out of the 16th…

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Other and Odd

5 Wellness And Travel Tips For Fall
The COVID-19 outbreak and subsequent lock down measures meant that many people were forced to spend their summer indoors. Combating quarantine blues can come in different ways, from redecorating to starting a business. Here are 5 tips for fall’s approach and ways to still enjoy life during the pandemic.…

You're not crazy: Loss of travel causing people to feel stress and anxiety
With so many travelers still grounded, and border restrictions keeping people all over the world confined to increasingly narrow spheres, it’s no surprise that people everywhere are feeling unmoored, stifled and — in many cases — downright…

Today in History

The Theft of the Mona Lisa
On August 21, 1911 a patron of the Louvre Museum in Paris walked into the Salon Carré where Leonardo Da Vinci's Mona Lisa was on display for all to see. On this day, however, the famous painting was not on the wall where it had hung for the past five years. A search of the museum turned over no clues - the painting had been stolen. The French poet Guillaume Apollinaire came under suspicion; he, in turn, tried to implicate Pablo Picasso. Both were…

Agent Perspectives

Castles and Cathedrals In The Cotswolds
by Paull Tickner
Friday August 21, 2020

Frequent readers of my Agent’s Perspectives will know of my enthusiasm for creating customised UK tours that “travel less,” so that clients can see a great deal more. With Stratford upon Avon to the north, the Roman/Georgian city of Bath to the south, and access from LHR and London through Oxford to the east; the Cotswolds is home to a number of remarkable castles and cathedrals. This week, I’m taking you on a journey that spans well over 1000 years of turbulent and nation-forming history. When you add Blenheim Palace, the Rothschild’s priceless art collections at Waddesdon Manor, some private gardens, pubs, and tea rooms, there’s a lot to get excited about – and that’s where my knowledge, experience and connections come into play…

  — Travel Research Online
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Deck Plans

UnCruise Guests All Test Negative For COVID-19

UnCruise Adventures confirmed that the majority of last week’s quarantined guests were cleared and released over the weekend. The original COVID positive guest returned home just a few days later. The company implemented a swift contingency plan and strict quarantine last week upon the news of a positive test onboard. The adventure brand immediately canceled its four subsequent sailings in Alaska for the summer. Revised news now shows all tests received back for guests and crew are negative and there was no transmission onboard. However, the season will not be recovered.

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

Bad News Travels Fast!

What is it with bad news? Every news channel features less than positive stories as their main focus, and then they beat it to death. While pondering this question the other day, I recalled an experience of mine worth repeating.

I remember sitting at a conference table with an event planner. In the first 20-seconds of our meeting, an event held earlier that day was referenced and the name of a florist for that event was mentioned. BANG!

The event planner said, and I quote, “Perhaps I shouldn’t say this, but the florist in question is the absolutely worst one I have ever seen. Just awful.” I responded with, “Perhaps you shouldn’t candy-coat your opinion. Can you tell us how you really…

  — Travel Research Online
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The Rosen Report

Are We There Yet? What to Tell Customers about Traveling Right Now
by Cheryl Rosen
Friday August 21, 2020

Ditch the fam trips? Suggest they quarantine before they go? Travel advisors must find their individual moral truths about travel. As many head to Mexico this month, they are asking the tough questions — and preparing for some shaming they likely will face.

For a Texan, some might say, Chad Shields has been following a moderate path these past few months. The owner of Engage Vacations has been adhering to the required protocols regarding social distancing and wearing masks on his three trips to Mexico — and encouraging his clients to do the same.

“Taking the proper precautions reduces the risks associated with…

  — Travel Research Online
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