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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
Why This Safe Caribbean Island Destination Is Breaking All Time Tourism Records
The Dominican Republic is one of the most highly sought-after beach destinations for Americans going abroad this winter. Boasting miles upon miles of sugar-white sands, fringed by teal-colored waters, and lively resort zones packed with luxury hotels, it is a no-brainer for vacationers…
— Travel Off Path
Golf Carts, Loudspeakers, Lockboxes: Florence Says ‘No, Grazie’ to Tourism Headaches
Leaders in Florence, Italy, have unveiled a new plan to tackle problems with tourism in the Tuscan city, which has been a prime destination for leisure travelers for more than three centuries. The 10-point plan was announced earlier this week — the same week that Florence is hosting a…
— New York Times
Tours and Activities
Notre-Dame Is Reopening December 7. Here's How to Visit for Free
It’s been more than five and a half years since a spark beneath the roof of Paris’s Notre-Dame Cathedral sent flames tearing through the 860-year-old Gothic icon on April 15, 2019, collapsing its roof and toppling its wooden spire, which had been in place since 1859. But following a…
— AFAR
Science-Lovers Unite: Inside New Scientist Discovery Tours
I live in a magazine-happy household. My partner and I receive printed publications on a monthly basis and also follow curated newsletters. New Scientist, which has been around since 1956, is a well-known publication in our household. I read New Scientist articles and studies to…
— Travel Awaits
The Best Places to See Northern Lights in 2025
If seeing the aurora borealis (northern lights) is on your bucket list, turn your attention skyward: experts say 2025 will be a great year for spotting the elusive light show. The natural phenomenon is usually observable around the Arctic Circle – but the lights have been particularly…
— Lonely Planet
Cruise
Hallmark Christmas Cruise Celebration Extends Beyond TV for Passengers
Not a speck of snow fell outside the day Susan Leining and her sister-in-law, Michelle, waited for their flight to embark on the Hallmark Channel’s first-ever Christmas-themed cruise. In fact, the toasty temperature rested at 77 degrees outside of Houston’s Hobby Airport on…
— USA Today
Sneak Peek: Inside the Giant New Msc Cruises Ship That’s About to Take On Icon of the Seas
Icon of the Seas is about to get some serious competition. Fast-growing MSC Cruises on Friday gave TPG a sneak peek at the giant ship it's building to take on the much-ballyhooed Royal Caribbean vessel in the Caribbean, and it was a sight to behold. Enormous water slides, giant…
— The Points Guy
Transportation
How Spirit Airlines’ Bankruptcy Could Affect Your Travel
Spirit Airlines officially filed for bankruptcy protection Monday after the pioneer of no-frills travel in the U.S. struggled with a long run of quarterly losses, failed merger attempts and looming debt maturities. Spirit's troubles deepened after the collapse of its $3.8 billion planned…
— USA Today
T+L Editors Are Obsessed With These Airport Lounges — and Some Have Spas, Gardens, and Dog-friendly Amenities
So much of plane travel can be stressful. Whether it’s the race to the airport, the interminable security lines, or the fear of flying itself, there are plenty of ways for anxiety to build. One surefire way to reduce that unease is to access a nice airport lounge, as many come with fun views…
— Travel+Leisure
Should You Wear a Mask on a Plane This Holiday Season? We Asked the Experts
Masks on planes: It’s a topic of conversation that has become more and more convoluted in the past few years. Gone are the mask requirements of 2020 through 2022, but that doesn’t mean taking precautions is a bad idea. That’s especially true amid the gauntlet of holiday…
— Condé Nast Traveler
Lodging
The Taylor Swift Effect In Canada Is Showing The Ugly Side Of Hotels
With hundreds of cities visited, millions of tickets sold, and 170 private jet flights taken (in 2023 alone), Taylor Swift's Eras tour has become a worldwide phenomenon. It's also a multi-billion dollar enterprise. With just her three dates in Liverpool, UK, the local government estimated…
— The Travel
BD Hotels Teases First Property Outside of New York City
BD Hotels has shared first-look renderings for The Nora Hotel in West Palm Beach, which will mark the group’s first hotel outside of New York City. Located in The Nora District, a 40-acre mixed-use destination in downtown West Palm Beach, the five-story hotel will comprise 241…
— Boutique Hotelier
Other and Odd
Almost 80 Million Expected to Travel Over Thanksgiving in Record-Breaking Getaway
Almost 80 million people will hit the roads and airways this Thanksgiving, with traveler numbers surpassing pre-pandemic levels, the AAA predicts. Journeys of 50 miles or more will be made by 79.9 million people in the holiday period — an increase of 1.7 million from last year and…
— NBC News
How TikTok Is Changing the Face of Travel—for Better and Worse
From immersive videos that spotlight lesser-known destinations to packing hacks and transport advice, the social platform TikTok has become a vital source of knowledge and inspiration when it comes to exploring the world. But it’s also a source of contention, with creators exposing…
— National Geographic
A Day Out With Bluey: Australia’s New Experience Brings the Heeler Family to Life
Bluey, the animated blue heeler pup who's won the hearts of children and adults around the world, has become an Australian icon. Her tales of imaginative play, family adventures and everyday life in Brisbane have not only made her a household name but have thrust the Queensland…
— BBC Travel
Today in History
William Tell
According to legend, on this day in 1307, William Tell was arrested by Hermann Gessler, a local magistrate in Switzerland seeking to enforce Hapsburg rule in the region. Tell had refused to bow to a symbol of Hapsburg…
— Travel Research Online
Press Releases of Interest
Travel Advisors Can Earn Gift Cards During Collette’s Black Friday Sale
Pawtucket, Rhode Island (November 12, 2024)– Travel advisors who book Collette tours during their Black Friday sale can earn hundreds in gift cards with their “Holiday Shopping on Us” initiative. Once qualified (make 2…
— Travel Research Online
Editorial Musings
AI and Automation: Redefining Customer Service in Travel Agencies
by John Frenaye
Monday November 18, 2024
In travel, cust omer service is king, and AI is here to stay, and it can help travel agents wear the crown a little more comfortably. Artificial intelligence (AI) and automation are transforming how travel agencies handle day-to-day tasks and customer service—look at Travel Research Online’s Toby and Voyager Social. While some might worry that robots are about to take over the travel industry, rest assured, the human touch is still irreplaceable—AI is here to make your job easier. But, as I have cautioned in the past, it is a tool in the box, an arrow in the quiver, and NOT a replacement!
Image created using Voyager Social…
— Travel Research Online
Read the rest of this article »
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Mike's Monday Cup of Mo-Joe
Lessons In Sport
 Regardless of whether you are a fan of a particular sports team or not, you must admit there are lessons to be learned from watching skillful athletes compete. From college to the Olympics to professional sport, I find myself drooling at times from what is unfolding right in front of me on the field of play.
In a single week, I witnessed. Unranked Vanderbilt University upset a highly ranked Alabama football team. I saw a multi-vehicle crash at The Talladega Speedway and I saw the Miracle Mets earn their way into the MLB Post-season playoffs with some last minute heroics. And it was this series of events that stimulated this week’s message.
I was watching the Mets losing in a best of three shootout with The Milwaukee…
— Travel Research Online
Read the rest of this article »
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Upcoming Training Opportunities
Latin America + a Special Offer!
Tuesday, December 3, 2024 at 1 pm EST/10 am PST
Join us for an exciting webinar as we embark on a journey through Latin America, following in the footsteps of Christopher Columbus to explore the fascinating landscapes and cultures of the “New World.” From the ancient marvels of Peru’s Machu Picchu to the remarkable biodiversity of Ecuador’s Galapagos Islands, and from the awe-inspiring Iguassu Falls on the Brazil-Argentina border to the vibrant streets of Colombia and Guatemala, this virtual tour will take you to some of the continent’s most iconic destinations. Discover Argentina’s rich culture, the natural wonders of Costa Rica, and the colorful heritage of Panama and Bolivia.
Register Now →
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