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Monday July 12, 2021

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

As Thailand hit by its worst COVID outbreak, economic risks rise
Thailand introduces strict lockdown-like measures to rein in the virus, endangering an already badly hit…

Jamaica Is Back. Here's How to Visit. Caribbean Journal
Whether it’s serenity of the cliffs of Negril, the sands of Montego Bay’s crescent shores or the sizzle of jerk in Port Antonio, Jamaica is the Caribbean’s sensory feast, a vibrant, endlessly energetic…

The UK May Open To Vaccinated U.S. Tourists Within Weeks
The U.K is working towards allowing vaccinated Americans to arrive in the U.K without facing restrictions within…

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Tours and Activities

Civil rights tourism starts to regain footing in Atlanta
ATLANTA — Tom Houck, who spent his younger days chauffeuring Martin Luther King Jr. around town, is getting back behind the wheel —…

Top 5 Reasons Why Travelers Should Visit Huatulco
5 Reasons why Travelers Should Visit Huatulco. Located in Oaxaca, Mexico, this tropical dreamscape has so many things to…

Iceland's Reopening Is Way Ahead of Schedule. Here's the Perfect Weeklong Itinerary.
A complete guide to touring the tiny island nation, from its awe-inspiring waterfalls to volacona hikes to a spa that lets you literally bathe in…

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Cruise

American Cruise Lines cancels cruise after crew member, 2 passengers test positive for COVID-19
American Cruise Lines' American Constellation ship has canceled its next cruise after a crew member and two passengers tested positive for…

The Latest Royal Caribbean Group Restart Plans
With all of its five brands now back in service, the Royal Caribbean Group is building up its restart plans. Over the next few months, 16 additional…

MSC Cruises and Fincantieri to build new cruise terminal at PortMiami
MSC Cruises and Fincantieri have signed a contract for the construction of a new cruise terminal at PortMiami by Fincantieri…

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Transportation

American Airlines First Class Passenger Taped To Seat After Inflight Incident
In the latest of a series of high-profile disruptive passenger incidents on American Airlines this week, flight…

United Airlines expanding routes to Costa Rica as travel rebounds
United Airlines is preparing a significant expansion into Central America, Mexico and the Caribbean during the upcoming U.S.…

Aircraft maintenance: how do airlines ensure jet safety?
To ensure passenger safety, airlines must complete several aircraft inspections. Here, AeroTime investigates the different stages of aircraft…

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Lodging

Tokyo hotel apologizes for 'Japanese only' elevator sign
A Tokyo hotel has apologized and removed signs reading "Japanese only" and "foreigners only" from elevators after the anti-COVID-19 precaution sparked outrage on social…

Hilton hotel adds surcharge for using a credit card — Will this become a trend?
A funny thing happened to TPG readers Isaac Burgin and Kendra Wallace during recent stays at the Hilton Burlington Lake Champlain in Vermont: Both were charged a “credit card surcharge tax” every time they…

The Best Mexican Resorts for a Socially Distant Vacation
These Mexican resorts offer private villas, private pools, outdoor restaurants, and more safe ways to vacation during…

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Other and Odd

One and Done: These Zooms Are Perfect for Travel Photography
If you want to travel light, you need to check out these lenses that are perfect for travel photography. The lenses we have rounded up after the break are perfect for travel photography due to their versatility, excellent optics, great builds, and…

Day Trip From Paris To A Medieval City
Provins, France, is a thriving medieval town just hours from Paris, whose fortifications still stand and offer a romantic step back in…

Today in History

The First Zip Code
On July 1, 1963, the United States Post Office introduced the first non-mandatory ZIP for the entire country. Employee Robert Moon first submitted his proposal for the idea while working as a postal inspector in 1944. In 1967, the Post Office…

Editorial Musings

Free Pizza and New Clients
by John Frenaye
Monday July 12, 2021

Last week I got a spammy email telling me how I can travel the world for free. No, it was not YTB rising from the ashes; but an online course to teach me how to become a travel writer and blogger.  The premise was that if you say you are a writer, the airlines, cruise lines, hotels, and tour operators will all rush to you to let you travel for free—usually first class. Well, when something sounds too good to be true, it usually is. However, I don’t doubt that legitimate travel writers are quite a few notches up from the lowly travel agent! But, all that aside, this email got me thinking.

I am not going to travel the world for free. We all know…

  — Travel Research Online
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One-to-One Interviews

Anita Pagliasso, VP of Industry Relations, KHM Travel Group

Anita has been in the travel industry for over 28 years. She founded the host agency Ticket to Travel in 1993, which was merged into KHM Travel Group in 2020. Her voice has been one of inspiring the at-home advisor with books such as "How I Made a Small Fortune as a Home-Based Travel Agent", and "From Home-Based to POWERHOUSE! – Marketing Strategies to take your Travel Passion to Profit". Anita is currently the Vice President of CCTO (California Coalition of Travel Organizations), and the Vice President of Industry Relations at KHM Travel…

  — Travel Research Online
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Publishers Corner

Filling the Pipeline
by Richard Earls
Monday July 12, 2021

A key objective of marketing your travel planning practice is assuring a flow of new clients through the door. Retention of your existing clients is absolutely necessary and challenging in and of itself, but the acquisition of new clients provides for growth. If you are not taking measures to acquire new clients, attrition of your existing base will mean your business will decline over time.

Remember our discussion of the sales funnel?  Typically, only a small percentage of your leads pan out into actual travel planning opportunities.  In order to maintain the volume you need for a healthy business, your marketing activities must be robust and continual. 

"Filling the pipeline" is the phrase often used to…

  — Travel Research Online
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Mike's Monday Cup of Mo-Joe

How Do You Feel?

How do you really feel?

Your knee-jerk response might sound something like these: “I feel fine.” “I’m okay.” “Can’t complain.” “Good as usual.” Quickly responding with a reply like this is nothing more than a quick way to by-pass the interrogation. I’ll ask you again— How do you really feel?

Have you taken the time in the last few weeks/months/years to give yourself the old once-over, as it pertains to your true feelings? If not, I strongly suggest you do… sooner, rather than…

  — Travel Research Online
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Upcoming Training Opportunities


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Universal Orlando Resort’s Vacation Enhancements and Selling Techniques

Tuesday, July 13, 2021 at 1 pm EDT/10 am PDT

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