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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
Bloomberg says Costa Rica among top 2021 vacation destinations
The U.S.-based media company published its “Where to Go in 2021,” recommending destinations “that will be especially profound” for travelers this year. Among the list of 24 is Costa Rica, a place where visitors can immerse themselves in nature and “leave no trace.” As Bloomberg…
— The Tico Times
Kauai travel rules change — again — as Hawaiian islands struggle with tourism, pandemic
The island of Kauai plans to reopen to tourists after a halt forced by the coronavirus, but the economic recovery in the vital tourism industry could be slow. Kauai had opted out of the state program that allows trans-Pacific visitors if they produce a negative test before arrival, and the island had required all travelers to undergo a 10-day…
— USA Today
Cancun Has Seen 6.4 Million Tourists During The Pandemic
According to Mexican airport operator ASUR, Cancun has registered over 6.4 million tourists since reopening during the Covid-19 pandemic. Of that, over 2.7 million were American travelers on vacation. The resort city continues to be one of the top destinations in the world during the pandemic and is showing no…
— Travel Off Path
Tours and Activities
Travelers Are Flocking Outdoors, but Trekking Guides Are Still Struggling
Juan Barrios, a trekking guide for Mountain Lodges of Peru, was leading a group of seven hikers through the Peruvian Andes when news of COVID-19's rapid spread reached them. The headlines, Barrios told me, were alarming to some of his clients—or, as he insists on calling them, his “friends.” The night before their visit to Machu Picchu, two of those friends decided to go home early. A few days…
— Conde Nast Traveler
Cruise
No Carnival Cruise Ships Will Sail from the U.S. Until April 2021
Carnival Cruise Line has announced further cancellations and it now means that no Carnival cruise ships will sail in March. It delays the resumption of operations until April at the very…
— Cruise Hive
Ask the cruise director: What are your top tips for cruising?
Over the years, I’ve seen some crazy sights when it comes to the amount of luggage people bring on a cruise. The record was one person with nine suitcases, six of which were just for shoes…and that’s the last time I let my father sail with…
— The Points Guy
BREAKING NEWS: FLA. SENATOR FILES BILL THAT WOULD VOID KEY WEST’S NEW CRUISE SHIP LIMITS
A senator from Bradenton, Florida filed a bill late Tuesday that, if passed, will void Key West’s newly approved cruise ship limitations. Republican Senator Jim Boyd has proposed Senate Bill 426 that states, “a local government may not restrict or regulate commerce in the seaports of this state,…including, but not limited to, regulating or restricting a vessel’s type or size, source or type of cargo, or number, origin, or nationality of…
— Keys Weekly
Transportation
Only one U.S. airline cracked the list of the 10 safest carriers in 2021
Discussions around the safety of flying are now dominated by the global pandemic, but the “Top Twenty Safest Airlines 2021” list compiled by airline website AirlineRatings.com doesn’t have anything to do with Covid-19. Released this week, the list analyzes crash records and safety compliance to highlight airlines that it claims are leading air travel…
— CNBC
Which airlines and airports do you think are the best?
Flying is often a fundamental element of travel, and airlines and airports have the ability to make or break a trip. So 10Best is looking for the best airlines and airline amenities, as well as the best airports in North America that make getting to your destination a pleasure rather than a…
— USA Today
Amazon Buys Planes From Airlines Struggling With Pandemic Slowdown
Amazon has purchased 11 passenger planes from Delta and WestJet that will be converted into cargo jets, according to a press release from the Seattle-based online retailer. It’s the first time Amazon has purchased planes outright rather than just lease them and comes as the airline industry struggles from a slowdown in demand during the…
— Gizmodo
Lodging
LOOK: These creative hotel bubble pods are signs of the times
The year 2020 is finally behind us, but the threat of COVID-19 persists. Thus, businesses lucky enough to survive the past year are coming up with innovative ways to entice people to visit and spend. Some of the examples we've seen are drive-in and float-in cinemas, social distancing dining, and bottled versions of signature coffee and cocktail…
— GMA Entertainment
Kaua'i hotels see uptick in reservations ahead of changes to travel rules
Gary Moore, manager of Timbers Kaua’i Ocean Club & Residences, said things are looking up–bookings rose 15 percent since Gov. David Ige approved new “resort bubble” regulations last week. “The news is just getting out on the…
— Local News 8 ABC
Other and Odd
Frequent travel could make you 7% happier
People dreaming of travel post-COVID-19 now have some scientific data to support their wanderlust. A new study in the journal of Tourism Analysis shows frequent travelers are happier with their lives than people who don’t travel at…
— WSU Insider
The world's most powerful passports for 2021
The days of strolling into an airport, flashing a passport, then hopping on a flight to wherever one likes are, for now, a distant memory. The Covid-19 pandemic has transformed the travel landscape, potentially for decades to come. Countries all over the world are entering fresh lockdowns, but even when restrictions do…
— CNN
Today in History
Theodore Roosevelt Dies
On this day in 1919, the 26th President of the United States passed away. Theodore "Teddy" Roosevelt was a larger-than-life figure whose accomplishments spanned exploration, conservation, science, sports, the military, and politics. During the Spanish-American war in 1898, Roosevelt organized the Rough Riders, the 1st U.S. Volunteer Cavalry Regiment, and became a war hero, awarded the Medal of Honor posthumously…
— Travel Research Online
Press Releases of Interest
The Travel Institute releases new online version of Exploring The World destination resource; ushers in ‘Better Days’ for 2021
FRAMINGHAM, MA, January 5, 2020 –The Travel Institute is starting the year with its new online version of Exploring the World, the well-known and well-regarded destination reference guide that gives frontline agents easy access to the destination content that matters to them most.
With content migrated from the current, 400+-page, 4th print edition, the new interactive, online version brings destinations around the world alive through 15 chapters filled with interactive maps, vibrant photography, graphics, chapter objectives and summaries, as well as search capabilities and student progress tracking. “The ultimate resource for both new agents and industry veterans, Exploring the World does an agent’s homework for…
— Travel Research Online
Motivationally Speaking...
How I Beat FONNS (Fear of Nothing New to Say)
by Stuart Cohen
Wednesday January 06, 2021
Sometimes I fre eze at the keyboard. I get all fired up to craft an article or create a keynote, and nothing flows. Just prior to settling in, I had great intentions and big ideas. So, why the work stoppage? Occasionally, I suffer from FONNS (aka. Fear of Nothing New to…
— Travel Research Online
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of the December Australian cruises we featured a few weeks ago, your cruise experience may take a few different twists. Here are how things may…