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Thursday May 01, 2025

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 Black Girl's Guide To Travel: Aruba Off The Beaten Path
Aruba has been on my bucket list for a while, mainly because of its pristine beaches. However, when I recently visited Oranjestad, Aruba, on behalf of the Aruba Tourism Board, I discovered so much more about the island, aside from the gorgeous water. Aruba is culturally rich, with…

Visiting Thailand? This New Electronic Entry Form Is Now Required
Travelers can’t get enough of Thailand’s buzzy nightlife, spectacular beaches, and of course, its White Lotus-featured wellness resorts and spas. If you’re one of the 39 million people who are estimated to visit the Southeast Asian nation in 2025, listen up: there’s a new immigration…

3 Surprising European Cities Breaking All-Time Visitor Records
As summer slowly approaches, you've likely already scoured the interwebs for travel deals to some of the world's top destinations. So they say… The past few years have seen travelers scoping out the lesser-known rather than following the crowds to places so publicized it feels like…

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Tours and Activities

These U.S. National Parks Require Reservations This Summer
If you’re going to visit a national park this summer, make sure you prepare, in some cases, by making a reservation. Summer is a popular time to visit the United States’ national parks, but travelers should be aware that some of the popular destinations in the national parks system…

10 Essential Stops on the Amtrak Pacific Surfliner Route
The Amtrak Pacific Surfliner is more than a train; it’s a scenic journey that hugs the California coastline between San Diego and San Luis Obispo, connecting Southern California with the Central Coast. As a California native, I've taken this scenic train route numerous times, and I…

Your Guide to the Baffling World of Duty-Free Shopping
Duty-free stores are known for indulgences: alcohol and cigarettes, pricey face serums and chocolate bars that can feed a family of six. But these uncertain times of tariffs could cast the global retail outlets in a new light. No longer just an airport diversion, could they help keep your…

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Cruise

Visit Mexico, Australia and More in One Trip on This Princess Cruise
If you’re in need of a long vacation, Princess Cruises may have the trip for you – 129 days to be exact. The cruise line shared details abut a new world cruise on Wednesday, which will spend more than four months visiting 20 countries across three continents. “Our upcoming 2027…

Carnival Cruise Line's $150 "Pig Swimming" Excursion At Sun Cay Beach Club Still Has Guests Feeling Indifferent
There are certain excursion details Carnival Cruise Line guests need to know about. One ban in particular caught guests off guard recently. Guests are no longer allowed to hold sloths during excursions in Roatan. The severity of this rule still seems to be loose, with cruisers having…

I Ate (& Drank) My Way Around Disney’s New Cruise—Here’s My Honest Review
I love cruising and I love Disney, so when I was invited to preview Disney Cruise Line’s newest ship, the Disney Treasure, I had to say yes. While I expected to see characters on board, eat my weight in soft-serve ice cream, and experience world-class service, I didn’t expect to find…

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Transportation

Can I Fly if I Don’t Have a REAL ID? Here’s What to Know
The REAL ID deadline is May 7, and starting then, it's going to be harder to travel if you don't have the right documents at the airport. REAL ID is a new standard for state-issued identification documents that includes more stringent requirements for verifying a person's identity and right…

United's Original Polaris Lounge Just Reopened–and It Now Features a Speakeasy Bar and a Wellness Wing
When United Airlines debuted its first Polaris lounge at Chicago O’Hare International Airport (ORD) in 2016, it didn’t just raise the bar; it reinvented what a business-class lounge could be. At the time, it was the first lounge designed exclusively for long-haul business-class travelers…

Jetblue Closing in on Newest Partnership With a US Airline: Here’s What We Know
Within the next two months, JetBlue is expected to announce its next major airline partnership, executives said this week. Now, speculation is swirling over which airline that will be — and what it will mean for frequent flyers. Speaking on the company's first-quarter earnings call…

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Lodging

This Country Has Some of the Cheapest Luxury Hotels in the Mediterranean
With the current rocky economic landscape, prices have changed across every area of consumption—including travel. Everything from airline tickets and on-ground transportation to accommodation and food will hit your wallet a little harder this year, no matter where you jet off to. In…

3 US Chateaus & Vineyards That Feel Like a French Escape
The word chateau brings to mind the stately, grand mansions dotting the French countryside. Surrounded by manicured gardens and sprawling vineyards, chateaus offer a glimpse into France’s opulent history. Unsurprisingly, they’re often top of the list for visitors, from those eager to…

MGM Resorts Lays Off Staff At These Las Vegas Strip Hotels – Here's What Travelers Should Know
MGM Resorts International has issued layoffs that will affect concierge services at several of its Las Vegas properties on the city’s iconic Strip. Local news source 8 News Now reports that the large-scale hospitality and entertainment company no longer offers in-person concierges at…

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Other and Odd

America’s Travel Industry Is in Sharp Decline
The travel and tourism industry, which accounts for about 3% of the U.S. GDP, has long been one of the economy’s most robust sectors, particularly when it comes to trade: The U.S. had posted a trade surplus in travel every year this century. Until this year. A drop in foreign…

21 Countries Have “Do Not Travel” Warning. Here’s What to Know About the U.S. State Department Advisories.
Twenty-one countries around the world have a "Do Not Travel" warning from the U.S. State Department, as of April 30. The agency regularly updates or reissues its international travel advisories, which give Americans a risk assessment for each country. Here's what to know about the…

Crocodile Attacks Tourist Who Climbed Into Enclosure for Selfie
A 29-year-old man was attacked by a crocodile after climbing into its enclosure at a zoo in the Philippines. Video of the encounter showed the gruesome moment when Eric Saladaga Vista was thrashed by the 15-foot reptile. The incident took place at the Kabug Mangrove Park and…

Today in History

Dedication of the Empire State Building
New York City's Empire State Building was dedicated on this day in 1931. The grand building was designed by the architectural firm of Shreve, Lamb, and Harmon using earlier designs for the Reynolds Building in Winston…


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