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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
The Best Time to Visit Barbados
The best time to visit Barbados is a worthy topic: From long sunny afternoons on idyllic beaches to aimless strolls around the UNESCO Heritage Site capital, Bridgetown, there are umpteen reasons to visit this dazzling Caribbean island of Barbados. However, timing is everything, and the…
— Condé Nast Traveler
5 Truly Laid-Back Mediterranean Destinations With Smaller Crowds For 2025
Ahhh, the Mediterranean. That ancient sea bordering some of the most beautiful destinations in the world: the sun-drenched Costa Del Sol in Spain, France's turquoise Côte d'Azur, Italy's idyllic Cinque Terre, the whitewashed Santorini and neighboring Cycladic islands in Greece…
— Travel Off Path
Angelababy's Guide to Hong Kong
Angelababy has called Hong Kong home since she was a young girl. Here are her local insider picks, from shopping on Hollywood Road to hiking Dragon's Back. The very name Hong Kong immediately conjures up luxury boutiques, wild nightlife, street food and spectacular architecture…
— BBC
Tours and Activities
Ultimate Guide to Uluru Kata
Rising improbably and spectacularly from the desert, the glorious monolith of Uluru has a magical color palette and a gravitas that few other natural features possess. Whether you’re seeing it for the first time, looking up close at its strangely alluring textures, or just enjoying its…
— Lonely Planet
Watchdog Group Issues Stark Warning for U.S. National Parks
An advocacy group for U.S. National Parks has warned that actions taken by the Trump administration in its first weeks will adversely impact the parks’ conservation and visitor programs. In a statement, Theresa Pierno, president and CEO of the National Parks Conservation Association…
— Fodor's Travel
Cruise
Royal Caribbean's Celebrity Brand Roars into River Cruising
There’s a race to the rivers in the offing, as both Royal Caribbean Group (RCG) and Viking greet a rising tide of European cruisers by ordering lots of new ships. Certainly the biggest news this week was Royal Caribbean’s announcement that it has ordered 10 new-build river cruise ships…
— Travel Research Online
Port of New Orleans Has Record-Breaking 2024 With 1.2 Million Cruise Passenger Movements
The Port of New Orleans (Port NOLA) in Louisiana, USA, handled 1.2 million cruise passenger movements in 2024, breaking the previous record set in 2023. In 2024 there were continued commitments from Port NOLA’s cruise line partners, including Carnival Cruise Line which finalised a…
— Cruise and Ferry
Transportation
American Airlines Crash Puts Aviation Safety into Sharp Focus—Here’s What Travelers Need to Know
A tragic crash of an American Airlines regional jet Wednesday night at Washington, D.C.’s Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA), which ended a long accident-free run in domestic aviation, drew shocked reactions from safety experts and the flying public. Video footage of the…
— Afar
Getting From Florida to Europe on a Budget Just Got Easier
It just got easier to visit Iceland and the rest of Europe from the Sunshine State. Icelandair recently announced new service between Miami, FL, and Reykjavík, Iceland that will operate on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays. The inaugural flight will takeoff on October 25, 2025, and the…
— Travel+Leisure
Redeeming Jetblue Points for TAP Portugal Flights: How and Why to Do It
You can now redeem JetBlue TrueBlue points for TAP Air Portugal flights, and there are some great deals to be found in both economy and business class. @findflightsforme first reported this news. Here's how you can book your next TAP flight with TrueBlue points, some of the best routes…
— The Points Guy
Lodging
The 7 Most Important Features in a Vacation Rental
The realm of vacation rentals is constantly in flux. Some of that variation boils down to local restrictions. Over the last few years, places like New York City and Maui have both put forth strict rules on when and how guests can book stays. In NYC, short-term rentals of less than 30 days are…
— Travel Awaits
The Best Hotels in Monaco
Ahh, The Riviera. Some of you may be thinking, “Could anywhere be more glamourous than the strip of Mediterranean coastline that drapes itself along France’s southeast corner?” And to those people, I suggest you hold your horses for but a few moments. If you take the time to zoom in…
— Elite Traveler
Other and Odd
How to Avoid Travel Debt
Can you afford your next vacation? Be honest. If you said no, you're in good company. Last year's big travel trend was the "justified vacation" or "justi-vacation," which is when someone takes a vacation despite not being able to afford it. In a survey conducted by insurance and travel…
— USA Today
How Much You'll Pay For A Passport Renewal Fee (& Everything Else)
Although a United States passport isn't one of the strongest passports in the world, it is pretty high up on the list. Plus, while American citizens have long been able to enjoy passport-free travel to U.S. territories like Puerto Rico and non-contiguous states like Hawaii, that is changing in May…
— The Travel
California Couple Sues JetBlue For $1 Million After Ice Chunk Fell Into Their Bedroom
A California couple has filed a lawsuit against JetBlue Airways, seeking $1 million in damages after a “watermelon-sized” chunk of ice allegedly fell from one of the company’s aircraft and crashed into their bedroom. Inglewood, California, residents Michael Reese and Leah Ferrarini were sound…
— Travel Noire
Today in History
Guy Fawkes is Hanged
The infamous Gunpowder Plot of 1605 was an attempt by a group of conspirators to kill King James I of England, his family, and most of the House of Lords by blowing up the Palace of Westminster during the State…
— Travel Research Online
Deck Plans
AmaMagna: Why I Am Looking Forward To Being Back On Board – In February!
In late Februar y, Britton and I fly to Budapest to board AmaMagna. It’s the beautiful super-sized ship operated by AmaWaterways. Because AmaMagna is twice the width of a typical river cruiser, the ship can only operate on the Danube. Great, you say, but in February?
That’s right. We will be part of a press trip, courtesy of AmaWaterways. Our media contact tells us that temperatures can range from lows of 28° to highs of 59° so he advises that we pack layers, along with gloves and hats. We plan on doing just…
— Travel Research Online
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The Rosen Report
How to Grow Your Business: Tips from Top Travel Advisors
by Cheryl Rosen
Friday January 31, 2025
In the end, “ sales is a numbers game. You keep filling your hopper. And they keep coming back,” says Carol Nunnery of Nunnery Travels & Assocs.
Nunnery is one of several top-selling Dream Vacations franchise owners who took the time during their annual conference to share ideas on how to grow your travel business. It’s a question that’s been on her mind as she launches a push to expand beyond land sales, where she is the top franchise in the network, into a new niche. One good place to start a growth spurt, she knows, always is with a group.
So she is hosting her first cruise group with the Ivas John Band, a local blues group she admires whose customer base is primarily middle-income “hippies and…
— Travel Research Online
Read the rest of this article »
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Upcoming Training Opportunities
Why Touring: Selling Land the GFOB Way
Thursday, February 13, 2025 at 1 pm EST/10 am PST
Escorted touring is more than just a convenient way to travel- it’s a smarter choice for your clients. In this webinar, we will outline how this style of travel saves time, maximizes value, and delivers immersive experiences that independent travel can’t match. Learn how the Globus family of brands continually reimagines touring for today’s travelers, from expertly planned itineraries to behind-the-scenes experiences, all with a special focus on Italy- our top destination- and a perfect location to showcase the benefits of escorted travel.
Register Now →
Universal Orlando Resort - Mardi Gras & Upselling Premium Products
Monday, February 3, 2025 at 1 pm EST/10 am PST
Immerse yourself in the vibrant festivities of Universal Orlando Resort's Mardi Gras: International Flavors of Carnaval! From dazzling parades and mouthwatering Cajun cuisine to electrifying performances, there's magic in every corner. Lidia Markser will guide you through the must-know highlights of this special event, along with expert tips on upselling Universal's premium products — from the Mardi Gras Float Ride and Dine to Express Passes and VIP Experiences.
Register Now →
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