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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
Is It Safe to Travel to LA Now? How the Fires Are Impacting Flights, Air Quality, and More
Wildfires in Los Angeles County continued to burn on Monday, January 13, 2025, as firefighters worked to contain portions of the deadly Eaton and Palisades fires, at 14% and 33% containment as of Monday morning. A total of 24 people were reported dead on Sunday evening. The fires have…
— Condé Nast Traveler
15 Things to Know Before You Go to Indonesia
If you’re looking for lavish layers of culture, rich history, glorious natural scenery and enough adventurous activities to fill a lifetime, Indonesia should be at the top of your travel list. With an estimated 13,466 islands stretching from the Indian Ocean almost to the northern tip of Australia, this…
— Lonely Planet
Bulgaria Aims to Reach Visa-Free Travel to US by 2026
The Caretaker Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ivan Kondov, has said that Bulgaria has made significant progress in meeting the needed requirements for inclusion in the US Visa Waiver Program. Among the technical requirements for inclusion in this program is maintaining a tourist visa refusal rate for…
— Schengen.News
Tours and Activities
How China’s Lunar New Year Travel Rush Is World’s Biggest Annual Migration
Hundreds of millions of Chinese criss-cross the country during the Lunar New Year holidays each year to reunite with families back in their hometowns or for sight-seeing during an extended festive period, making it the world's largest annual human migration. The Lunar New Year travel rush, known as…
— Reuters
10 Destinations to Make You Feel Happier, According to a Psychologist
Taking a much-needed vacation cannot only help us recharge and reset but also boost our dopamine levels. Some destinations just have what it takes to make us feel happier from the moment we arrive, whether it's consistently sunny weather that surges our vitamin D levels or stunning beaches and…
— USA Today
Wolf Moon 2025: Where And When To See This Rare Cosmic Wonder
The first full moon of 2025 is almost here! Known as the “Wolf Moon,” this cosmic wonder will dazzle skywatchers across the globe. With its luminous beauty and rare planetary alignment, this celestial show is steeped in cultural and spiritual significance. Mark your calendars for Monday, Jan. 13, 2025…
— Travel Noire
Cruise
Royal Caribbean Is Continuing Service To A "Level 4: Do Not Travel" Port
The US Department of State continues to update travel safety for countries around the world. Even hot spots like Spain saw safety advisories altered, as the popular tourist attraction area is now at a "Level 2: Exercise with increased caution." For the most part, cruise lines usually disregard level 2…
— The Travel
These Cruise Ports Are Under a US ‘Do Not Travel’ Safety Warning
The United States government rarely forbids Americans from visiting a country. In very rare cases, like Cuba and North Korea, travel is heavily restricted, but in most other cases, the State Department simply issue warning. A Level 1 warning is simply a call to "Exercise normal precautions." That could…
— The Street
Princess, Norwegian Offer Flexible Cruise Cancellations Amid la Fires
Cruise lines are offering flexible cancellations for guests impacted by fires raging in the Los Angeles area. Norwegian Cruise Line is waiving cancellation fees for affected passengers booked to sail in January and February. “Our hearts and thoughts are with all of those impacted by the wildfires…
— USA Today
Transportation
6 of the Best European Sleeper Train Routes
The joy of the journey and the pleasure of slow travel has mixed with increasing eco-consciousness to set off a new era of train travel. Sleeper trains are slowly catching up with the expansion in high-speed rail, providing intriguing travel opportunities across Europe that mix convenience with scenic…
— National Geographic
Projected Air Traffic Growth Runs Counter to Climate Goals, Study Says
Air passengers numbers are projected to more than double by 2050, boosting fuel demand and undermining the aviation industry's efforts to cut emissions, a study by climate advocacy group Transport and Environment suggested on Monday. As industry leaders meet at an annual finance…
— Reuters
United Airlines Introduces Solution For Unwanted Gift Cards: Exchange For Miles
Have you ever received a gift card for a store you rarely visit or a restaurant that doesn’t suit your taste? United Airlines has introduced a game-changing solution to transform those unused gift cards into your next adventure. The MileagePlus Gift Card Exchange Program lets you convert unwanted…
— Travel Noire
Lodging
This Iconic Manhattan Hotel Reopened With a New York–Themed Cocktail Menu—and an $80,000 Suite
Housed in an iconic I.M. Pei building in Midtown, the Four Seasons Hotel New York has long been a benchmark for luxury hospitality in the city. After closing to visitors in March 2020 during the COVID pandemic, the hotel offered medical workers free accommodation for a time before closing fully for a…
— Afar
In Los Angeles, Hotels Become a Refuge for Fire Evacuees
The lobby of Shutters on the Beach, the luxury oceanfront hotel in Santa Monica that is usually abuzz with tourists and entertainment professionals, had by Thursday transformed into a refuge for Los Angeles residents displaced by the raging wildfires that have ripped through thousands of acres and…
— New York Times
Grand Hyatt Deer Valley First Look
One of the most exciting hotel openings of the last year was the late 2024 opening of the ski-friendly Grand Hyatt Deer Valley. The hotel is a cornerstone of the Deer Valley ski resort's East Village multiyear expansion project, which will more than double the resort's skiable terrain and is said to be…
— The Points Guy
Other and Odd
This Is Where Tokyoites Go to Escape Crippling Anxiety
It’s nearly midnight and I’m scarfing down a railway station bento box picked up on the way home from work. It was an extra-long day in my Eikaiwa gakkō, a privately owned English language school geared toward professional women in Ginza. My hours are grueling, particularly now that I’m…
— Fodor's Travel
Is This the End of Berlin’s Famous Club Scene?
From techno temples to hedonistic hideouts, anything-goes revelry has been core to Berlin's soul for the past century. But rising rents and rapid gentrification may soon kill the party. Paris has fashion, Copenhagen has design, Berlin has clubs. From multi-day raves in former Cold War bunkers to…
— BBC Travel
6 Changes That Could Trip up Travel in 2025
Last year brought some wins for travelers. New rules made it easier for passengers to get refunds if they can’t travel because of flight cancellations or delays. And globe-trotters got more flexibility to renew their passports online. In the new year, travelers should expect a bit…
— The Washington Post
Today in History
Albert Schweitzer Is Born
A man for all seasons, Albert Schweitzer was a theologian, musician, philosopher, and physician. He received the 1952 Nobel Peace Prize for his statements and activities on behalf of the philosophy of "reverence for life"…
— Travel Research Online
Upcoming Training Opportunities
How to Market and Sell Luxury Villas and earn Top Commissions
Wednesday, January 22, 2025 at 2 pm EST/11 am PST
Join Willie Fernandez, CMO for an in depth look at the fastest growing and most in demand segment of travel. Get answers to how to successfully sell villas, earn high commissions, Bespoke concierge services, and learn about the many destinations offered by Rental Escapes. Plus learn about some of the marketing secrets to driving villa sales.
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