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Monday August 21, 2023

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

Hawaii Gov. Says Travel Outside of Maui Is Encouraged, but Should You Travel to the Islands?
It has now been nearly two weeks since wildfires devastated parts of Maui. Hawaii is a popular tourist destination for Bay Area travelers. While some may be reconsidering their planned trips, Hawaii’s governor shared this message about vacationing on the islands (watch in video player…

European Countries Occupy 19 of World Sustainable Travel Index 2023's Top 20 Spots
Sweden is Europe’s most sustainable travel destination, the new Sustainable Travel Index for 2023 by Euromonitor International has shown. In fact, 19 out of the 20 first positions in this index are occupied by the European Union and Schengen Area Member States, according to…

Hurricane Hilary Takes Aim at California as Airlines Issue Weather Waivers
Hurricane Hilary is now a Category 1 hurricane currently on track to hit Southern California on Sunday. Hilary is expected to hit California as a tropical storm and could cause flooding and other damage in much of the Southwestern United States. If that happens, it will be the first…

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Tours and Activities

20 Once-in-a-lifetime Restaurants Around the World Known for Their Spectacular Views
The perfect meal has to have a few main ingredients: delicious food, tasty drinks, and a stunning setting. Special restaurants all over the world offer diners the chance to sit down for an incredible dinner with an unforgettable view of their surroundings, pairing destinations with…

The 15 Best Museums in Paris
With nearly 300 museums in and around the capitol—far exceeding that of any other city in the world—it would take well over a year to visit all the museums that Paris offers. Museum lovers should consider investing in a Paris Museum pass. The two-, four- and six-day passes (€55,…

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Cruise

This Cruise Line Kicks Off ‘Sailabration’ — How You Can Save On Holiday Cruises
Christmas just came early for anybody who loves river cruises. That’s because American Queen Voyages has already kicked off its Holiday “Sailabration.” “Make memories to last a lifetime this holiday season on an enchanting all-inclusive voyage,” American Queen Voyages wrote on…

MSC World Europa Cruise Ship Review
MSC World Europa launched in 2022 and has a capacity of 6,000 guests. The ship offers state-of-the-art features, including an indoor promenade, an aquatic park, and the latest environmental technologies. The ship is known for her luxurious amenities, diverse dining options…

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Transportation

American Airlines Sues Travel Site Over Alleged Deception, Threatens to Cancel Tickets Sold on Site
American Airlines filed suit against Skiplagged Inc., an online travel agency, over allegations that the agency deceives customers, though the airline does have the right and ability to cancel the tickets. In a lawsuit filed Thursday in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of…

Should You Tip Flight Attendants? Here’s What the Experts Say
Tipping is a hot topic across industries right now — there's plenty of debate about who you should tip and how much you should tip. Given all this discussion, you might be wondering if you should tip the flight attendants you interact with during your travels. While it's true that flight…

1 Family, 3 Damaged Wheelchairs While Flying: Travel Needs ‘Complete Overhaul’ They Say
Neena Nizar and her sons Arshaan Adam and Jahan Adam all rely on wheelchairs to get around, and since January, all have had their devices damaged on flights with Southwest Airlines. “We have a long history of wheelchairs being damaged by airlines. No matter which airline we…

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Lodging

These Are 6 Great Hotels for Watching October’s Solar Eclipse—and You Can Still Book Them
Next spring’s buzzed-about total solar eclipse is already making headlines, but it’s not the only solar spectacle on the horizon. On October 14, 2023, an annular solar eclipse will appear above a narrow ribbon of the Americas, and it’s worth building a trip around. The trademark of this…

Historic Hotel Bethlehem Wins “Best Historic Hotel in the Nation”
The Historic Hotel Bethlehem just hit a three-peat! The hotel just won first place in USA Today's "Best Historic Hotel In The Nation" contest for the third year in a row. The contest is judged by a prestigious panel of industry experts who base their choices on locations that have held…

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Other and Odd

These Are the Best and Worst Times to Drive on Labor Day Weekend
If you’re planning to take a trip for Labor Day, prepare yourself for bigger crowds than last year. AAA booking data shows that travel is up for the holiday weekend compared to 2022, the membership organization said Monday. Domestic bookings for flights, hotels, rental cars and…

What I Learned About Responsible and Sustainable Travel on a Recent Trip to Turkey
Anyone who’s traveled to Venice, Barcelona, or Machu Picchu recently and jostled with throngs of fellow tourists will be familiar with the meaning of “overtourism.” Simply put, too many people in one place at the same time strains the local infrastructure, threatens its culture, and…

What It's Like to Go to Space as a Tourist—According to Virgin Galactic's First Astronauts
On August 10, newbie astronauts Keisha Schahaff, 46, and Anastatia Mayers, 18, made history as the first mother-daughter duo and the first Caribbean women ever to go to space. The two flew outside Earth's atmosphere with Virgin Galactic, Richard Branson's space tourism…

Today in History

The Theft of the Mona Lisa
On August 21, 1911 a patron of the Louvre Museum in Paris walked into the Salon Carré where Leonardo Da Vinci's Mona Lisa was on display for all to see. On that day the famous painting was not on the wall where it…

Press Releases of Interest

Host Agency Reviews Announces a Call for Speakers for 2024 Host Week
Minneapolis, Aug. 21st, 2023 – Host Agency Reviews (HAR), the leading online resource that connects travel professionals to industry resources, is accepting speaker proposals to fill EduSpots for their 2024 Host Week…

Editorial Musings

Do You Have Your Eyes On Hot Destinations for 2024?
by John Frenaye
Monday August 21, 2023

As travel pros, our clients count on us to have our fingers on the pulse of the ever-changing market. People's preferences on where they want to go are always shifting, and it's important to stay abreast of the latest trends. It’s a good idea to stay ahead. A recent survey indicated that some of the hotspots in 2024 might be a bit out of the norm and a bit exotic. I am not so sure that the typical hotspots of London and Mexico are out, but I will definitely bone up on these ones.

From the vibrant culture of Tokyo to the serene beauty of French Polynesia, these are places that clients may want to travel in 2024 and create memories that will last a lifetime…

— Travel Research Online
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Publishers Corner

Traveling Off-Season: The Benefits of Planning Outside of Peak Months
by Richard Earls
Sunday August 20, 2023

"In five to 10 years it will be "far too hot" to be in countries like Greece in July and August.”
James Thornton
CEO, Intrepid Travel

Traveling off-season is an experience everyone should try at least once. From all appearances, climate change seems to agree. It appears the “best time” to visit may be shifting. Traveling outside of peak months can save you money and provide a unique travel experience. But while traveling off-season almost surely means the trip will ultimately cost much less, there are reasons other than the price to travel outside of peak months that will help to ensure your appreciation of the practice…

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

Sales: Art or Science?

Science tells us that water boils at 212 degrees. This is not an opinion. The boiling point doesn’t change depending on the day of the week or the economy. Your political persuasion does not affect the exact time that water boils nor does the price of gas on any one particular day. Water boils as expected: 212 degrees. 211 degrees? No boiling. 212? Let the bubbles begin. Art on the other hand shows us details and then allows us to interpret it as we see it. The exact same picture can be interpreted in hundreds of ways, depending on hundreds of different variables. There is no set answer. There is no one interpretation.   — Travel Research Online
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Upcoming Training Opportunities


What's New for 2024 & Increase Your Europe Sales

What's New for 2024 & Increase Your Europe Sales

Wednesday, August 23, 2023 at 2 pm EDT/11 am PDT

Having been in business since 1939, Image Tours is one of the most experienced Europe tour operators in the world and they have earned a reputation for high quality tours at an affordable price. While their emphasis is on introducing your clients to the European way of life, Image Tours remains aware of the small details appreciated by American travelers. Join Justin Osbon of Image Tours for an informative session on what is new for 2024 tours and what programs Image Tours has to help increase your Europe tour sales for 2024 and beyond.

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