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Friday December 27, 2024

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

Sunny Winters & Endless Shores: This Vibrant Coastal City Should Be Your Next Beach Getaway
Now that the hassle of Thanksgiving and Black Friday have died down, winter plans are in full force. As your electric bill continues to spike as you put your heater to good use, a better way to splurge is to book a sunny getaway. How about an often-overlooked Texas coastal city with…

36 Hours in Palm Springs, Calif.: Things to Do and See
With its kitsch, color and joyous queer scene, Palm Springs is all in on earthly pleasures. December through March is the city’s sweet spot: Highs average in the 70s, and there’s just enough rain to replenish seasonal waterfalls and encourage cactus blooms. Deep in the driest…

Skip NYC: 7 Underrated "Mini New York City" Towns Better Than The Big Apple
Hidden among America's landscape are charming, underrated mini New York City towns that capture the essence of the Big Apple without overwhelming intensity. These special destinations offer the perfect blend of cosmopolitan flair and some of the best downtown main streets…

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Tours and Activities

Your Ultimate Guide to Mardi Gras in New Orleans
It's colorful, chaotic and deeply engrained in the soul of New Orleans. Mardi Gras is undoubtedly the city's most epic event. So, how do you make the most of your time at this iconic festival? Here's everything you need to know about doing Mardi Gras right. Mardi Gras ⁠– French for…

This Famous Fondue Restaurant Used to Be a Swinger's Club
At first glance, I thought I’d entered a swinger’s nightclub in Switzerland or a quirky museum about the 1970s, both of which aren’t completely off-base. To my left, an old massage chair offered three minutes for $1, a solid deal. Above a bearskin rug, old photographs of…

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Cruise

Celebrity Rethinks Its Partnership Strategy with Travel Advisors for 2025
Focusing on the highly successful travel advisor channel, Celebrity Cruises in February will launch a new—and gamified—version of its training program and add a position dedicated to serving the trade. In an exclusive interview onboard Celebrity Ascent, Katina Athanasiou…

Cunard Guests, Crew Sick in Back-To-Back Gastrointestinal Outbreaks
Passengers and crew members got sick with gastrointestinal illness during two back-to-back outbreaks aboard a Cunard Line ship. Among 2,565 guests on its Queen Mary 2 vessel, 223 reported being ill during its current voyage, along with 44 crew, the Centers for Disease…

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Transportation

United Is Offering a Miles Bonus of Up to 85% – What to Know
The countdown is on to score a great deal when purchasing miles with United Airlines. “Buy miles and make your dream trip a reality,” the airline shared about the promotion in an email sent to members. “Miles never expire, so take advantage of this limited‍-‍time offer and get…

Business vs. Coach on Amtrak: Is the Upgrade Worth It?
What is the difference between business vs. coach on Amtrak? The benefits and cost-effectiveness of the two fare classes can be confusing to sort out. In general, riding Amtrak can feel less stressful than flying—the train company’s coach seats are more spacious than those in a…

The Best Airport Amenities of 2024
Airports can be crowded and vexing places to spend your time. They can also be charming, fun and surprising. In 2024, Milwaukee Mitchell International Airport (MKE) brought back its coat check service, and Las Vegas' Harry Reid International Airport (LAS) hosted another pop-up…

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Lodging

The 7 Best Hotels in Italy for Getting Off the Beaten Path
Italy may be one of Europe’s most visited destinations, but after two decades living in the bel paese, I’ve discovered plenty of handsome, culture- and history-rich corners that remain blissfully out of the tourism spotlight. My experiences of these lesser-known locales have been…

Yes, Ice Hotels Are Real–And You Can Find Them Around the World
Confession time: I’m addicted to Hallmark Christmas movies. The more dubious the plot and the acting, the better. (If you’re looking for suggestions, then stop what you’re doing and watch Hot Frosty. You’ll thank me later.) A week ago, I turned on A Royal Christmas Crush…

Eight of the World’s Most Extraordinary Tiny Hotel Rooms
From Colombia's upcycled sewer pipes to spheres suspended in the sky in Canada, capsule hotels have been reinvented for a new generation of travellers. By night, the world's first capsule hotel (founded in Osaka, Japan in 1979) must have looked like a morgue, with neat rows of…

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Other and Odd

Celebrity Rethinks Its Partnership Strategy with Travel Advisors for 2025
Focusing on the highly successful travel advisor channel, Celebrity Cruises in February will launch a new—and gamified—version of its training program and add a position dedicated to serving the trade. In an exclusive interview onboard Celebrity Ascent, Katina Athanasiou…

Harsh Travel, Weather Conditions Could Impact Millions Across U.S. After Christmas
Storms in the Pacific Northwest and in states around the South and the Midwest could affect Americans traveling for the holidays. CBS News' Skyler Henry has the latest travel update from Atlanta, Georgia. Also, CBS News Bay Area meteorologist Jessica Burch breaks down the latest…

Today in History

The Grand Opening of Radio City Music Hall
On December 27, 1932, in the midst of the turmoil of the Great Depression, thousands of Americans still turned out for the opening of the Radio City Music Hall in New York City. On its opening day, the Hall held a…

Deck Plans

Insights From Maria, Avalon’s Beloved Cruise Director

How do you solve a problem like Maria? You don’t. In fact, you let Maria solve your problems.

On my recent Avalon cruise, I sat down with Maria Pascual to ask her about what she’s learned in the 31(!!) years with Globus. She reflected on her career with Avalon, the evolving demographics of river cruise guests, and how her team goes above and beyond to create a welcoming and unforgettable experience for everyone on…

  — Travel Research Online
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The Incessant Traveler

Chantal Lamour – The New Generation of Travel
by David Cogswell
Friday December 27, 2024

Twenty years ago there was concern in the travel industry that not enough young people were becoming travel retailers. If trends were to continue, as the older generation retired it might leave the field with a shortage of competent retailers.

That wasn’t long after another fear had gripped the industry, the fear that new technologies and airline disintermediation would render the whole profession of travel retailer obsolete.

It’s always something, right? In the early 20th century, some worried that the supply of horses would not meet the needs of the growing…

  — Travel Research Online
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The Rosen Report

From Four of My Favorite Female Travel Execs: Tips on Selling Travel in 2025
by Cheryl Rosen
Friday December 27, 2024

It was a travel writer’s dream: sailing with 800 Dream Vacations franchisees and a slew of top travel executives. And while I have lots of great stories to tell about the travel advisors, I’m going to first share some advice on selling travel from four amazing women who spent the week with us: our hostess, Celebrity’s Katina Athanasiou; Vicki Freed, of sister company Royal Caribbean; Princess’s Carmen Roia, who will host the conference next year; and Debbie Fiorino of Dream Vacation/Dream Vacations parent World Travel Holdings

  — Travel Research Online
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