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
Which Parts Of Mexico Are On The ‘Do Not Travel’ List?
Ahead of the busy winter break and spring break travel season, the U.S. Department of State has issued a “do not travel” warning for parts of Mexico. In the department’s most recent update, it issued a “do not travel” warning for six states because of an increased risk of crime and kidnapping, mainly related to drug cartel activity. The six states with a “do not travel” warning are Colima, Guerrero, Michoacan, Sinaloa…
— The Hill
Why Japan Has So Many 'Never Travelers'
A surprisingly large number of Japanese say that travel is no longer a priority for them. A survey done last year by global intelligence company Morning Consult showed that 35% of Japanese respondents said they were unwilling to travel again, the highest number of any country. Tetsu Nakamura, a professor at Tamagawa University and a tourism behavior and psychology specialist, says the results are not at all…
— CNN
Second Cities: Here's Why You Should Go to Porto, Portugal
When most of us start getting the travel bug, we usually go to popular destinations worldwide. Major cities like Paris, Rome, New York and others have the resources and attractions to invest in tourism. The great thing about these locations is it’s easy to get around, accommodations are similar to our homebase and many people have been to these cities. Our “Second Cities” series is contrary to all of those…
— Travel Noire
Tours and Activities
Giant Theme Park And Hotel Complex To Open In Punta Cana
It may not be DisneyWorld, but the Dominican Republic in March will see a $350 million “entertainment-based resort complex” under a new joint venture between Meliá Hotels International and Falcon’s Beyond. The first property in the Falcon’s Resorts by Meliá brand, the Falcon’s Resort by Meliá All Suites Punta Cana will be a $350 million entertainment destination that includes two existing Meliá properties, Paradisus…
— Travel Research Online
History Travel Offers Authentic Heritage Tourism Experiences
Travel and history have long been joined at the hip. Traveling to experience the places and activities that authentically represent the stories and people of the past and present is defined as “Heritage Tourism” and is considered one of the fastest-growing segments in the industry, according to the American Bus Association. It equates to a $171 billion annual spend. Examples of heritage tourism activities include visiting a…
— Forbes
Everything You Need to Know About Carnival in Rio
Carnival is an event stemming from Christian tradition and celebrated all over the world, including Brazil. But among Brazilian cities honoring the event, it’s clear Rio gets the crown. Rio’s Carnival is the biggest in the world: The city draws millions to its streets for the pre-Lenten celebration full of parades, colorful costumes, and, of course, samba. Like other Carnival-celebrating places around the world (which include…
— AFAR
Cruise
Explora’s Chris Austen Promises No Hold Time to Book MSC’s Luxury Line
Even as it grows its footprint in the US market, MSC is making a $3.75 billion investment in the luxury cruise segment with its new Explora Journeys line, focused on exclusive access for small, intimate groups, from two to 25 guests, and a slower pace of travel. The first of six Explora ships is ready prime time, and this week announced the first eight itineraries in its Northern European Inaugural Journeys Collection…
— Travel Research Online
MSC Foundation And MSC Group Provides Aid To Syria And Türkiye
After the recent devastating earthquake in both Türkiye and Syria, the MSC Foundation and the MSC Group are doing what they can to assist the two countries after the massive destruction and overwhelming loss of life. The entire MSC family is committed to providing aid to both populations by organizing various ways to assist Türkiye and Syria. The company also has close ties with the Turkish authorities, the Italian…
— Porthole Cruise & Travel News
Transportation
Flight From Auckland Lands 16 Hours Later In ... Auckland
It’s the stuff of nightmares. You’re trying to get somewhere, you’ve prepped and planned and you’re doing your best and yet you end up right back where you started. That’s about what happened to frequent flyer Bryan Gottlieb and his fellow Air New Zealand passengers on Thursday when their planned journey from Auckland to New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport was disrupted by an electrical outage at the…
— CNN
More Airline Passengers Are Getting Bumped. Know Your Rights If It Happens To You.
With travel demand still high, more and more passengers are finding themselves bumped from the flights they paid for. A recent analysis by The Wall Street Journal found that more than twice as many passengers were involuntarily denied boarding between October 2021 and September 2022 compared to the same period a year prior. Even accounting for the fact that some peak pandemic months were included in…
— USA Today
Lodging
Hyatt Is Doubling Down On Luxury While Its Competitors Focus On Budget Hotels
The future of Hyatt is about luxury, lifestyle and resorts. Cheap hotels? Leave that to Hilton and Marriott. Hyatt on Thursday reported hefty profits ($294 million for the last three months of the year and $455 million for all of 2022) and significant growth — increasing its room count by nearly 7% last year. That’s higher than Marriott’s 3.1% net unit growth and Hilton’s 4.7% (though both companies have larger portfolios…
— The Points Guy
The Sicilian Hotel Where 'White Lotus' Was Filmed Is Currently Offering a 25% Off Deal
Looking to experience The White Lotus IRL? Well, it just got a bit cheaper. The San Domenico Palace, A Four Seasons Hotel, which was the hotel used as the setting for season 2 of the hit HBO show, in Sicily, Italy, is running a promotion offering 25 percent off of certain rates and packages. Located in Sicily, on a hillside overlooking the Ionian Sea, the building was once a once a convent back in the 14th century, and…
— Travel+Leisure
Other and Odd
TTC Rolls Out First Of Four FAM Trips For Travel Advisors
Three TTC Tour Brands—Trafalgar, Insight Vacations and Luxury Gold—are teaming with Tourism Switzerland on a giant international fam trip, the first of four TTC expects to offer this year. Top-selling travel advisors are invited to apply for the Switzerland Fam, a seven-day, all-expense-paid trip that includes a hike through the Swiss Alps and a ride on the glacier express from St. Moritz to Zermatt, and highlights…
— Travel Research Online
Biden Has Junk Fees In His Sight, But Is The Travel Industry Willing To Change?
Are travel junk fees about to go away? Junk fees are those annoying "gotchas" like mandatory resort fees. Hotels quietly add them to your bill after an initial price quote to cover items such as pool towels and "free" phone calls. Airline seat assignment fees target nervous dads like me, who feel they have to pay an extra $50 per seat, so they don't get separated from their kids on a flight. You might be forgiven for…
— USA Today
12 Tips For Solo Female Travel Throughout South America
Many solo female travelers have likely heard that South America is "dangerous" and that they should consider elsewhere for their solo ventures. Calling an entire continent "dangerous" is a generalization, and while it's crucial to always practice certain safety tactics, exploring this vivid continent is indeed possible as a solo female traveler. Here are 10 tips for ladies looking to take a South American trip, party-of-one…
— The Travel
Today in History
A Volcano is Born
On February 20, 1943, Dionisio Pulido, a farmer in the Mexican state of Michoacán, was working in his cornfield along with his wife and son. From the center of the field, a hissing noise began. Suddenly a plume of smoke and ash began spewing from the ground from a fissure that opened. Pulido and his family were witnessing the…
— Travel Research Online
Editorial Musings
Six Reasons Why You Should Start a Podcast
by John Frenaye Monday February 20, 2023
When it comes to travel, we are the experts. We provide valuable insights and recommendations to our clients based on years of experiences—some good and some bad. Five years ago, I bet you had heard about podcasts but really didn’t know about them. Today? They are everywhere. With the meteoric rise in the popularity of podcasts, we have a unique opportunity to reach a wider audience and share our expertise in a new and engaging format.
Here are some reasons why a travel agent should begin a…
— Travel Research Online Read the rest of this article »
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Crossings
Explora’s Chris Austen Promises No Hold Time to Book MSC’s Luxury Line
by Cheryl Rosen Monday February 20, 2023
Even as it grows its footprint in the US market, MSC is making a $3.75 billion investment in the luxury cruise segment with its new Explora Journeys line, focused on exclusive access for small, intimate groups, from two to 25 guests, and a slower pace of travel.
The first of six Explora ships is ready prime time, and this week announced the first eight itineraries in its Northern European Inaugural Journeys…
— Travel Research Online Read the rest of this article »
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Upcoming Training Opportunities
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