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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
A Surprising Oregon Gem: The Ultimate Travel Guide To Eugene & Things To Do
A trip to charming Eugene is a perfect opportunity to dive into the top sights, tastes, and activities that the Pacific Northwest has to offer. Eugene is a hidden gem sparkling with natural beauty, a thriving arts and culture scene, and a vibrant spirit at the southern end of the Willamette Valley. The…
— The Travel
Which Cities Are The Best For Disabled Travelers? These 3 US Destinations Rank Among The Best.
For travelers with disabilities, trips are made so much easier when accurate information about accessibility is available. With that in mind, The Valuable 500 – a collective of CEOs dedicated to disability inclusion – conducted a survey this past fall asking disabled travelers which destinations…
— USA Today
These Are The Best Times To Visit Japan
Japan may be small, but with its captivating blend of tradition and modernity, and its bustling cities and stunning countryside, it offers a mighty experience to visitors. No matter when you choose to visit, you'll find a wealth of experiences waiting for you. In spring, the blossoming of the sakura…
— Lonely Planet
Tours and Activities
Traveling and Eating Well
This year seems like a good year for a great trip. On The Times’s Food desk, where I’m an editor and also write a weekly newsletter about New York City restaurants, we’re already scouting for the year’s best restaurants, and I’m guessing many of you are planning trips with food in mind, too. Trying to…
— New York Times
LGBTQ-Friendly Travel Destinations To Inspire Going the Distance With Your Love
While love is in the air with Valentine’s Day just a few weeks away, why not soar to new heights and discover a new destination with your partner? Booking.com is sharing LGBTQ-Friendly travel destinations this Valentine’s Day. The online travel agency intends to make it easier for everyone to…
— Yahoo! News
These Are The 10 Most Romantic Cities In The World — And Number One Is No Surprise
Half the challenge of planning a romantic getaway is deciding where to go in the first place. That’s where the results of a new study come in handy. Bounce, a luggage storage company with more than 8,000 locations in more than 1,000 cities worldwide, analyzed cities around the world to…
— Travel Awaits
Cruise
A Day In The Life Of Antarctica Expedition Leader Marieke Egan
A suspenseful breeze blew south of the Antarctic Circle as Silver Endeavour passengers watched the advance expedition guides navigate their Zodiacs through rapidly moving ice. The boats were seeking a safe landing on Jenny Island that would take us up close to the colony of elephant seals lounging…
— Porthole Cruise and Travel News
Sun Princess to Feature Three-Story Dining Room, Largest Casino in the Fleet
Princess Cruises has released new details on its largest ship ever, Sun Princess, including a theater in the round, the line’s largest casino ever, and a three-story dining room. “With the construction of any new ship, we have the incredible opportunity to design standout spaces with our guests’ preferences…
— Cruise Radio
Transportation
Senators Push For "Passenger Bill Of Rights" That Would Give Travelers At Least $1,350 If Bumped Due To Oversold Flight
A group of senators is pushing for airline passenger protections after severe travel disruptions ruined the holidays for tens of thousands of Americans. Under the new rules, airlines would be forced to compensate flyers during airline-caused delays and cancellations. Democratic Senators Ed Markey of…
— CBS News
These Are the Airlines That Still Require Masks Onboard
On April 18, 2022, after a federal judge in Florida struck down the U.S. federal transportation mask mandate, all of the major U.S. airlines lifted their pandemic-era mask requirements for domestic flights. Masking rules that were originally established to help prevent the spread of COVID-19 inflight…
— AFAR
9 Exciting International Airline Routes Launching in 2023
As international tourist arrivals approach pre-pandemic levels, 2023 promises to be a year of major rebound for the travel industry. Americans can also look forward to the continued strength of the U.S. dollar and the expansion of service to exciting destinations extending from the south of Spain to the…
— Condé Nast Traveler
Lodging
Don't Break The Bank: Book These 10 Most Affordable Hotels In Switzerland
Switzerland is well-known for its breathtaking mountain views, and the country is full of luxury hotels that can satisfy even the most expensive tastes. There are lots of incredible places to visit, whether a traveler is interested in hiking, skiing, or water sports. Switzerland is packed with adventures for…
— The Travel
The Most Romantic Valentine's Day Hotel Packages Around The World
Roses are red, violets are blue. Valentine’s Day is upon us, so try a romantic hotel getaway or two. While the above refrain might not make us the next poet laureate anytime soon, we can’t help but feel a little bit of romance now that it’s February. Crackling fireplaces in a hotel suite, a cocktail or…
— The Points Guy
Other and Odd
Why Your Dream European Vacation Is Already Booked Solid
When it comes to planning a European vacation, travel industry experts have traditionally advised tourists hoping to save money and avoid crowds to visit popular destinations like Italy, France, and Spain in off-season windows, like late winter or early spring. But as the bounceback of international…
— CNN
Inflation Is Affecting Travel, But That Doesn't Mean It's Slowing Down
Sarah Griffith's flight to Columbus, Ohio, last summer had a dual purpose: she wanted to see her friends and watch the band Night Ranger play. Griffith, 50, loved the rock group growing up, and has traveled around the country to see it. "(I) started going to see them and it kind of turned things…
— USA Today
Today in History
Elizabeth II Becomes Queen
On February 6th, 1952 Elizabeth Alexandra Mary was at the Treetops Hotel in Kenya. Her husband, Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh broke the news to her that George VI, the king of the United Kingdom and her father, had died…
— Travel Research Online
Publishers Corner
Branding Your Travel Agency: Can You See Me Now?
by Richard Earls
Sunday February 05, 2023
Every travel ag ency seeks visibility in its marketplace. Through advertising, niche marketing, and solid networking, agency owners work to raise the profile of their travel practice above the crowd so the public immediately associates the agency's brand with the word "travel." Creating an association strong enough to be top of mind anytime someone thinks of "travel" is no small feat but, especially on a community level, it is achievable. No doubt, in your own community, there is at least one travel agency with more than its proportionate percentage of "mindshare" - people immediately think of that agency when they think of their next cruise or vacation.
— Travel Research Online
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Mike's Monday Cup of Mo-Joe
Your All-Important “OODA Loop”
Just when you think you have all the letter shortcut meanings down pat, up pop a few new ones. You already know what TGIF infers. LOL in text refers to something that triggers your funny bone. ASAP is another way of implying that sooner is better than later. One of my recent favorites was CAVU. You aircraft pilots out there might recognize this as a sign of good news. (Ceiling and visibility unlimited.) Then there is the ever-popular FOMO* and, for you travel professionals, let’s not forget TWA and KLM. *FOMO = Fear of missing out.
— Travel Research Online
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Top Headlines
Using Hashtags to Improve Social Media Growth in Travel Marketing
by Richard Earls
Saturday February 04, 2023
Hashtags are an essential, but sometimes misunderstood, tool for growing an Instagram following as they allow users to discover new content and increase the visibility of their own posts. Hashtags work by categorizing posts under specific topics, making them more discoverable to users interested in those topics. Instagram creators use hashtags to track trends and enhance search. Simply speaking, hashtags are words or phrases about a specific topic, with a hash (#) before it, e.g. #traveltuesday. When an Instagram user adds a hashtag, the post is indexed in this manner, and it becomes easily discoverable by other users. In many ways, it is the way users "search" Instagram, and to a lesser extent, Facebook, LinkedIn, and…
— Travel Research Online
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Upcoming Training Opportunities
What is WeTravel?
Wednesday, February 22, 2023 at 1 pm EST/10 am PST
With WeTravel’s platform, your travel business’s operations become seamless and efficient.
You can create bespoke trip pages in minutes. You’re able to integrate customizable payment plans into your travelers’ bookings.
Your team can handle and transfer funds instantly, all over the world.
Join this webinar to learn how WeTravel is revolutionizing the travel space for advisors booking multi-day trips.
Register Now ➠
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CRM? A Customer Relationship Management (CRM) system is essential for any travel professional—solo or working as a team. Your CRM will help to manage and streamline the entire sales process, improve your customer service, and actually increase sales.