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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
Where Can Americans Travel Right Now?
With the seventh most powerful passport in the world, Americans are used to the privilege of access to almost any country on demand. Before the pandemic, Americans could travel to 185 of the world’s 195 countries visa-free, or with a visa on arrival. But due to the high coronavirus rates in the…
— Smarter Travel
A closer look at the world’s best small cities
Despite the global pandemic that has pretty much paralyzed the travel and tourism industry, Conde Nast Traveler, a luxury lifestyle travel magazine, still managed to celebrate small cities from all over the world via their annual list of the best cities in the…
— Yucatan Expat Life
Moscow and St. Petersburg Nominated for World Travel Awards
The 27th annual World Travel Awards, one of the most prestigious awards in the tourist industry, recognized Moscow and Saint Petersburg as two of the…
— Caspian News
Tours and Activities
Why is community immersion the future of responsible tourism?
Travel and tourism is one of the world’s biggest industries. Before the pandemic, the WTTC said it generated €7.3 trillion to the global economy in 2019 and employed more than 330 million people (equivalent to one in ten jobs…
— Euronews
G Adventures launches tours to 'rethink' mass tourism
G Adventures has launched seven new tours to some of Europe’s most popular destinations, with the company encouraging agents to consider what’s on offer beyond mass market offerings. The new tours cover Ibiza, Corfu, the Azores and Crete – albeit to lesser known areas within those…
— ABTA Magazine
Cruise
Princess Cruises Is Spending Its Downtime Making Some Major Upgrades to Its Fleet
There are two ways to spend the unexpected downtime provided by the pandemic: you could opt to veg out in front of the TV with an array of endless snacks — or you could take advantage of the slower pace and opt for…
— Travel+Leisure
Eight months after all cruises were cancelled, customers still wait for refunds. Here’s what you can do
Eight months after the COVID-19 pandemic shut down cruising around the world, customers are still waiting for refunds of money they paid for canceled cruises. After reaching a fever pitch over the summer, complaints about delayed refunds are still coming into the Florida Attorney General’s…
— Yahoo! News
China Approves Restart of Domestic Cruise Industry
The Chinese authorities have confirmed that permission has been granted for the first two domestic cruise ships to resume service. After weeks of reports and rumors, it has been announced the first two cruises will depart on December 9 and 10, both sailing from Hainan…
— The Maritime Executive
Transportation
Southwest Airlines notifies nearly 7,000 employees that they may be furloughed
Southwest Airlines, which has never laid off a worker in its 49-year history, notified 6,828 employees Thursday that they may be involuntarily furloughed next year. The airline has been negotiating with unions about cost-cutting measures, but due to "a lack of meaningful progress," the furloughs may…
— FOX Business
Trump Administration's New Regulation Favors Airlines At Travelers' Expense
Last Friday, the Trump administration quietly announced a new regulation that appears to favor airlines at consumers' expense, changing how it defines unfair and deceptive…
— NPR
Lodging
Prompted by Pandemic, Some States Buy Hotels for the Homeless
It's a bold goal in a place with a major housing crisis: Get as many as 2,000 unsheltered Oregonians into homes this winter by spending $65 million in state money to buy up to 20 underused…
— PEW Trusts
A New Boutique Hotel Is Coming to Old San Juan, Puerto Rico
Preferred Hotels is opening a new boutique hotel in Old San Juan, Puerto Rico next month, Caribbean Journal has…
— Caribbean Journal
Other and Odd
The race against time to save Pompeii
The bodies of victims of the Vesuvius eruption, including a man and his slave, and three horses, are the latest discoveries at Pompeii. New villas have also been uncovered. But the new excavations are happening because the site is in…
— CNN
Today in History
The Discovery of the Mary Celeste
On December 4, 1872, the captain of the commercial sailing vessel Dei Gratia spotted the American ship Mary Celeste sailing toward the Straights of Gibraltar. Captain David Reed Morehouse of the Dei Gratia knew the Mary Celeste had sailed out of New York only a few weeks before. The Mary Celeste was sailing oddly, almost as though at drift, though it…
— Travel Research Online
Deck Plans
AmaWaterways’ Rhine Castles & Swiss Alps
This week I had the pleasure of interviewing Kristin Karst for my podcast, Avid Travel With Britton Frost. Karst is the executive vice president and co-founder of AmaWaterways. We spoke to many facets of the AmaWaterways’ experience – especially about the company’s philosophy to under-promise and over-deliver – but we also spoke about what is coming for AmaWaterways in the future.
Ama had a very busy 2019 with three new ships joining its fleet including the double-wide river ship, AmaMagna. Though 2020 was quiet for most of the cruise industry, AmaWaterways was able to operate sailings in Germany between July and November. With plans to introduce more new ships and itineraries in 2021, Ama…
— Travel Research Online
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Mike’s 1-Minute Marketing Memos
Is “Fine” Good Enough?
 When asked for a “four-letter-word” that begins with the letter “f”, most responses would rhyme with luck, buck, duck and Chuck. I personally think this is one of the nastiest words used today, and it seems it is being uttered by more and more people daily. Quite honestly, I am appalled. If it were up to me I would ban this word from the dictionary…
— Travel Research Online
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Upcoming Training Opportunities
Road Trip along Hungary’s World Heritage Sites
Tuesday, December 15, 2020 at 3 pm EST/12 pm PST
Travel throughout Hungary in 10 days, discover culture, history, active programs. Hungary has not less then 9 outstanding world heritage sites. You may include some or all of them to your trip. Experience extraordinary vistas, charming small towns, and hidden gems in your own way. We help you plan your customer’s holiday with amazing trips across Hungary.
Register Now ➠
BUENOS AIRES “The Pearl of South America”
Wednesday, December 9, 2020 at 1 pm EST/10 am PST
Buenos Aires, Argentina, recognized for its European-style architecture and lively theater scene, is a truly special place. The second-largest city in South America, it has been the home of such renowned cultural and historical figures. Urban landscape steeped in tradition but offering modernity that never disappoints. From its numerous museums to its old-time cafés and milongas, or dance halls, for the seductive Tango, one will never find a dull moment.
Register Now ➠
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