Do you want to start a very valuable conversation? The next time you are at a travel networking event or trade show, try this out as you swill that glass of bourbon. Bring up the subject of competition in the local market and ask one simple question. “Who is the competition for your agency?” I can guarantee they will give you the wrong answer. Read on!

I will bet that the answers probably included something like this:

Most travel agents who have been in the business for any period of time can tell stories of clients who, in some manner, disappointed the agent in the relationship. The client who took the agent's hard work and booked direct, or the client who could not be found when the final payment was due. The client who goes to the airport without their documents and blames the agent. The client who won't return phone calls. The client who is upset that the agent cannot find a trip to Hawaii for 7 nights for $499. The client who discovers a cruise $50 cheaper on the internet and is unhappy. In almost every instance, however, the real root of the problem can be found in the failure…

One could say that Delta Air Lines is looking up and down for new ways to move customers to and from its planes. On the ground, it is partnering with trains in Europe to speed flyers on their way to midtown; in the air, it is looking at mini helicopters to pick them up.

This week, Delta announced that customers headed to Europe can reach 20 new destinations in The Netherlands, Italy, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom through an expansion of its Air+Rail…

A whole bunch of "stuff" seems to be getting in our way these days. The negative daily news associated with politics, weather, cars, houses, food, and more are hitting us full force day after day. Every evening news show and late evening talk show has us reeling in bad news.

  — Travel Research Online
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Small ship cruise line Windstar Cruises has partnered with the Coral Gardeners, a Mo’orea (French Polynesia)-based organization determined to revolutionize ocean conservation and create a global movement to save the coral reefs through reef restoration, awareness activities, and innovative solutions. The team works to grow, plant, and monitor thousands of heat-resilient corals with the goal of bringing life back to the ocean.

The three-year partnership begins this month with Windstar’s $35,000 donation to Coral Gardeners to adopt coral for all guests sailing with Windstar in French Polynesia for the remainder of…