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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
Four Travel And Hospitality Trends Emerging From The Pandemic
Travel was one of the hardest-hit industries during the first 100 days of the pandemic. Several months later, air travel is ticking up, and hotel occupancy rates have improved since reaching lows in April. However, as travel resumes, it has a whole new look for both travelers and service providers.…
— Forbes
Europe’s New COVID-19 Travel Rules, Explained
The latest European travel restrictions—and the European Commission’s proposal to limit the use of…
— AFAR Media
Tours and Activities
European travel and tourism bodies call for better response to COVID-19
The open letter to the President of the European Commission has called for the development of an EU COVID-19 testing protocol for…
— International Airport Review
Cruise
The cruise industry will implement these COVID-19 precautions: testing, masks, ventilation, more
The cruise industry has announced mandatory changes designed to make it safe to sail during the COVID-19 pandemic – ideally by the end this…
— USA Today
Princess Cruises Sells Two Cruise Ships
Princess Cruises this week announced that they are selling two of their older Sun-class cruise ships. The announcement confirmed what had previously been rumored, that both the Sea Princess and Sun Princess were leaving the…
— Cruise Radio
Transportation
Families Weighing Pros And Cons Of Pandemic Airline Travel
With the holiday season fast approaching, you may be wondering does it make sense to travel again? The travel industry is offering deep discounts – and unprecedented…
— CBS9 Los Angeles
Alaska Airlines Will Block Middle Seats Through Thanksgiving
Alaska Airlines has announced that it will extend its policy to block middle seats through Thanksgiving. Previously, the carrier planned on ceasing its blocked middle seat policy at the end of…
— Simple Flying
US airline employees report lower rate of COVID-19 infection than public, CEOs say
As people debate whether air travel is safe amid the pandemic, major U.S. airline CEOs are presenting new infection information about their…
— ABC News
Lodging
What it's like to stay at a Hilton, Marriott and Hyatt hotel during the COVID-19 pandemic
Salivating at the buffet table, eagerly awaiting your sizzling omelette to be done. Cramming into a crowded elevator with a long weekend's worth of luggage in tow. Debating if you should go for the Peanut M&M's or Twix minibar…
— USA Today
These hotels offer safe and sanitary in-room spa treatments
Are you longing for a spa vacation but are afraid of COVID-19? These resorts offer in-room…
— The Points Guy
Report: Failure of Luxe Rodeo Drive Hotel foreshadows 'tsunami' of hotel closures
The upscale Luxe Rodeo Drive hotel has closed, a casualty of a pandemic that is likely to put more hotels out of business, it was reported…
— FOX11 Los Angeles
Other and Odd
Baby Born on Flight to London Gets Lifetime Ticket From Airline
A newborn baby will get an early taste of what it’s like to navigate the fine print in airline agreements. A woman gave birth on an EgyptAir flight from Cairo to London last week, and the company says her child will receive free flights for…
— Gizmodo
TSA launches 'Prohibitive Items Week' to prevent travel troubles
The TSA is doing something for the first time this week to prevent passengers from getting in trouble by launching Prohibitive Items Week to alert you to what you can and can’t bring on a…
— FOX10 Phoenix
Today in History
Nathan Hale Executed
On September 21, 1776, British forces on the island of New York captured American spy Nathan Hale who had slipped behind the enemy front to report on British movements. The city was in flames and the British rounded up scores of citizens. Hale carried incriminating papers on him and was tricked by a British loyalist pretending to be an American patriot into confession. On September 22, 1776, British officers presided over Hale's execution by hanging. Tradition has it that the American's last words were "I regret that I have but one life to give for my country." Nathan Hale was 21 years old at his…
— Travel Research Online
Press Releases of Interest
Industry Continues to Attract & Prep New Agents Ahead of Rebound
FRAMINGHAM, MA, SEPTEMBER 21, 2020 – The Travel Institute reports continued high interest in new agent training as the pandemic and economic issues prompt career changes in and outside the industry and as early signs of an industry rebound continue.
“While travel has been on hold for many, interest in a travel career is most definitely not,” shared Patty Noonan, CTC, director of sales for The Travel Institute. “I am getting inquiries from all walks and stages of life—yoga instructors, teachers, chefs, real estate agents, retired couples and more—all asking about pursuing a flexible business model and career in travel,” explained Noonan, who regularly advises potential new agents. In some cases, Noonan said, individuals are looking to complement their current, primary business. “Some see travel as…
— Travel Research Online
Departures
ATI-DriveAmerica Notes Increased Confidence in Travel Plans
 The increased prevalence of leisure road trips this year is leading one company to begin working more aggressively with travel professionals, offering self-drive tours and door-to-door driving instruction with local attraction and activity information along the route. American Tours International (ATI) has long been a primary tour resource for AAA clubs nationwide, and is now working with the wider travel professional community. ATI -DriveAmerica offers a wide variety of itineraries, along with guaranteed hotel accommodations throughout the client's entire trip, commissionable to travel professionals.
For example, a one-week drive vacation for a couple and their children would average approximately $2,000 commissionable. If joined by other extended family members or friends, the booking can jump to as high as $10,000 total, depending on…
— Travel Research Online
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Mike’s 1-Minute Marketing Memos
Are You Doing Enough Laughing and Scratching?
 I was speaking with my brother the other day, and he asked me if I ever just started laughing out loud driving down the road thinking how lucky we are? I said I knew exactly what he was talking about. As far as I am concerned, COVID or no COVID, political embarrassment or not, I am pretty much pleased with my…
— Travel Research Online
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Taking Control
Do Travel Industry Education Programs Get a Passing Grade?
by Richard D'Ambrosio
Tuesday September 22, 2020
I’ve spent th e last three weeks talking to about three dozen travel advisors and industry executives – with different roles, tenures, agency specialties and business models – trying to understand what role “education” plays in supporting travel advisor success – and how these programs can help advisors through this COVID storm.
If I had to boil down their feedback into three key learnings, here are the points I take…
— Travel Research Online
Read the rest of this article »
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Upcoming Training Opportunities
Are you ready to enjoy Argentina?
Wednesday, October 7, 2020 at 1 pm EDT/10 am PDT
This time, Aerolineas Argentinas’ webinar will focus on tours and activities to enjoy that can be explored in many different ways. You will learn everything that you need to know to create an unforgettable experience for your clients, as well as Aerolineas Argentinas’ great flight connectivity within the country. This will help you to put together the best itinerary for your passengers.
Register Now ➠
Learn how to help your clients DriveAmerica and generate bookings of $5,000-$10,000 or more
Wednesday, September 23, 2020 at 4 pm EDT/1 pm PDT
Join AmericanTours International (ATI) to learn about their recently launch DriveAmerica domestic travel campaign. ATI is a 40+ year old wholesaler that serviced some 500,000 travelers throughout North America in 2019. ATI will be joined by Zion and Bryce Canyon National Parks in this webcast. First, Joyce Kelly from the Zion Tourism Office and Lance Syrett of Ruby's Inn Bryce Canyon will explain what's new in their destinations, focusing on what makes Zion and Bryce particularly appealing in the Covid era, and what kinds of experiences visitors can look forward to during the extended travel season this fall. Then ATI will showcase how travel professionals can be easily plan and book high value road trips through their DriveAmerica platform, they will feature the newly created Zion, Bryce, and Beyond experience, as well as over 100 curated DriveAmerica itineraries that are completely customizable. ATI will also demonstrate how travel professionals can use the platform to design and save their own road trips packages, which can be easily marketed to their clients.
Register Now ➠
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