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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
Greece Is Making More Than 200 Beaches Wheelchair Accessible
Greece is working to make hundreds of its beautiful beaches wheelchair accessible, installing remote-operated ramps, making restroom improvements, and more. The ramp project, which is being designed by Greek company Seatrac, will be installed at 287…
— Travel+Leisure
14 Things Definitely Worth Doing In Branson, Missouri
The Ozark Mountains of Missouri are a big part of what makes Branson such an adventure for travelers, and it’s not hard to see why. Branson is not just a place for tourists. The town has a lot to offer residents and visitors alike. Scenic views, like the ones from…
— The Travel
Tours and Activities
Adventures by Disney Sails into Colombia and Canada’s Atlantic Coast
Adventures by Disney is expanding its repertoire of destinations for 2024, for the first time adding Colombia, home of its hit movie Encanto, and Canada’s Atlantic Coast. Bookings will open on May 12 for the two itineraries—an eight-day “Colombia: Bogota, the…
— Travel Research Online
The Best Ways to See New Mexico’s Annual Balloon Fiesta
These tried-and-tested tips will help you make the most of your experience at Albuquerque’s International Balloon Fiesta. “WHOOSH, WHOOSH, WHOOOOOSH!” This is the arresting soundtrack of the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta, accompanied by a…
— Fodor's Travel
It’s Cinco De Mayo! What The Holiday Is, And What It Isn’t
Today is May 5, when many people celebrate Cinco de Mayo, or “The 5th of May” in Spanish. With those celebrations in mind, here’s a quick look at what Cinco de Mayo is, what it isn’t, and why it’s celebrated. First things first. There is a common misconception that…
— Travel Awaits
Cruise
From Country Music To Crafting: The Best Themed Cruises For 2024
You come to hear the music, to pursue a hobby or to follow a celebrity. You return for the community of people sharing a common passion. Themed cruises offer the unique opportunity to find your people and explore the world with them — all while enjoying an…
— The Points Guy
Katie McAlister Named President Of Cunard
Cunard has announced Katie McAlister as the next president of the cruise line. Effective come August, McAlister will join the Southampton-based Cunard. She is currently the chief marketing officer for UK & Ireland at TUI, where she has worked for 20 years…
— Porthole Cruise and Travel News
Transportation
Delta Flight Delayed By Massive Swarm Of Bees On Wing
A Delta Air Lines flight was delayed for several hours on Wednesday after a swarm of bees clustered on the plane's wing, prompting the airline to postpone the flight while it attempted to convince the insects to buzz off. The flight was initially set to leave Houston at…
— Yahoo! News
Bill Aims To Improve Air Travel For Passengers With Disabilities
Passengers with disabilities have described harrowing problems during air travel, including bungled security screenings; risky transfers onto planes and lost and damaged wheelchairs. Their plight has caught the attention of Congress, where bipartisan bills focused on…
— The Washington Post
New Airline Starlux Wants to Fly You to Taiwan in Affordable Luxury
Travelers keen on traveling to Taiwan from the United States now have a new—and pretty fancy—option, complete with first- and business-class seats with built-in massagers, in-flight menus curated by celebrated chefs, and satellite Wi-Fi. Taiwanese airline Starlux…
— AFAR
Lodging
Caravan Dakhla By Habitas Brings Thoughtful Luxury To A Desert Paradise-And Kiteboarding Mecca
Before digital nomadism went mainstream, and before slow travel was even a thing, the Habitas hotel group staked its claim on a “find your tribe” approach to luxury hospitality. In 2016, its first hotel in Tulum (a pop-up made permanent), like the brand it grew out…
— Forbes
6 Ways Airbnb Rentals Mislead Travelers Into Booking
Despite a variety of complaints about short-term rentals, it appears they are here to stay for the long haul. Some are concerned about the safety of such rentals, and others complain they are ruining the heart and soul of certain neighborhoods. Many travelers still prefer…
— Travel Off Path
Other and Odd
AI, Self-Service Are Taking Over Travel. Will Everything Become A DIY Experience?
Annette Johnson thinks the travel industry is taking self-service too far. She has watched airlines drop their phone support and add fees for airport check-ins that use a human agent. Some air carriers are even tearing out their kiosks and prodding passengers into…
— USA Today
COVID Global Health Emergency Is Officially Ending, World Health Organization Says
COVID-19 no longer qualifies as a global emergency, the World Health Organization said Friday, marking a symbolic end to the devastating coronavirus pandemic that triggered once-unthinkable lockdowns, upended economies worldwide and killed at least 7…
— CBS News
Today in History
Cinco de Mayo
Cinco de Mayo ("5th of May") commemorates the Battle of Puebla on May 5, 1862 – a victory of Mexican forces led by General Ignacio Zaragoza Seguín over the French. The date is observed as a celebration of…
— Travel Research Online
Press Releases of Interest
American Cruise Lines Celebrates Two Riverboat Christenings on Opposite Sides of the Country
GUILFORD, CT—May 3, 2023—In a canyon at the Idaho border and alongside a bayou in Louisiana, two nearly identical cruise ships were just christened. American Cruise Lines announced today the christening…
— Travel Research Online
Deck Plans
Avalon’s 2024 Active & Discovery Offerings
Next week, I am headed to Budapest to sail with Avalon Waterways on the Danube. I first sailed with Avalon Waterways in 2021, when I was invited to sail the Rhone River on an Active & Discovery itinerary. These “A + D” itineraries have quickly become my favorite way to travel because of the type of travelers to whom they cater and the fast-paced style of travel that they offer.
The name itself attracts a certain type of traveler looking for active and authentic experiences in a destination. When I sailed the Rhone with Avalon, I immediately noticed that my fellow passengers had a real “can do” attitude and came ready to get active (and even get a little dirt on our hands). And at night,…
— Travel Research Online
Read the rest of this article »
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The Rosen Report
Passports in Portsmouth: A Lost Passport Leads to a Pleasant Road Trip
by Cheryl Rosen
Friday May 05, 2023
What do you do  when your passport is lost and you are cruising to Alaska in two weeks? You take any appointment that’s available at any US Passport Office, and get in your car and go.
If the closest office is in Portsmouth, NH, though, you’re in luck. Think of it as a road trip to a quaint and peaceful New England town, where the passport office is small and uncrowded, and the staff really does try to be helpful. Who cares if it is 280 miles from home, and your appointment is the day before you…
— Travel Research Online
Read the rest of this article »
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Upcoming Training Opportunities
#SellMoreUniversal – Sales Process & Marketing Tips
Wednesday, May 17, 2023 at 1 pm EDT/10 am PDT
Want to learn how to properly position and sell Universal’s parks and resorts? Join Lidia Markser to learn the step-by-step sales process that’s proven to help close more sales! She’ll also be reviewing social media guidelines, posting tips and trick, as well as showing what marketing tools are at your fingertips.
Register Now ➠
New and Notable Travel Protection for Your Clients
Tuesday, May 9, 2023 at 1 pm EDT/10 am PDT
With travel spending surpassing 2019 levels, 2023 is shaping up to be a big year for travel. You can make sure your clients are protected when they travel with the latest and most personalized travel insurance products to date.
Register Now ➠
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