Destinations
36 Hours in Orlando
Don't equate Orlando with mouse ears and thrill rides: The city is a checkerboard of intriguing neighborhoods filled with intriguing galleries, shops and restaurants…
— New York Times
10 Exotic Dream Trips You Can Take in 2018
Whether your ideal getaway involves sun-soaked beaches, fairytale castles or exclusive safaris, there's an adventure for every taste and budget…
— USA Today
The Beautiful Italian Island You've Probably Never Heard Of
This five-and-a-half-mile-long stripe of tortured rock is generally accepted to have been the summer home not of the Sirens but of the witch Circe (who, in Greek mythology, ensnared Odysseus for a bit)…
— Telegraph (London)
Tours and Activities
Five Places to Go in Portland, Me.
Thompson's Point, a formerly run-down industrial zone west of the city center in Portland, is today the city's most unlikely hot spot…
— New York Times
10 Great Minnesota Attractions for Super Bowl Visitors
Maybe it took football to bring tens of thousands of fans to Minnesota in the middle of winter, but retired Minnesota Viking linebacker Chad Greenway says Super Bowl visitors will be surprised by all the Twin Cities has to offer…
— USA Today
Suffragette Cities: Events to Mark the Centenary of Voting Rights for Women
The 100th anniversary of votes for (some) women heralds a year of plays, parades and talks and includes the Museum of London's suffragette movement exhibition…
— The Guardian
Cruise
This Cruise Ship has No Casino, No Water Slides, No Karaoke and No Kids. We like it.
Viking Cruises, which popularized European river cruises among Americans, has brought its oceangoing ships to the United States, offering Caribbean itineraries on smaller ships. Here's the Miami Herald's review…
— Miami Herald
Experts Talk about Cruising: Trends, Issues and Tips
A panel of cruise experts from CruiseCritic.com, the Miami Herald and the Cruise Lines International Association gathered on the Sojourn in a forum moderated by The Associated Press to discuss issues and trends in the cruise industry with a live audience of cruise passengers…
— Vancouver Sun
Transportation
The Ultimate Guide to Baggage Limits by Destination and Airline
The amount of luggage you can carry on board a long-haul flight varies dramatically from one airline to another, and even between destinations on the same carrier…
— The Independent
The Little-Known Low-Cost Airline that's Just Launched Flights from Essex to Washington DC
Today saw the launch of no-frills flights from London Stansted to Washington DC, with fares from £199 one-way. Who is behind this new route, the first direct low-cost link between the UK and US capitals?…
— Telegraph (London)
How to Maximize your Return on Airline Miles
Accumulating miles isn't the hard part - it's learning how to use them wisely. Maximize your return on airline miles with these tips…
— Chicago Tribune
Lodging
The Right Way to Order Room Service at a Hotel
Room service has a reputation for being overpriced and under-seasoned. Here are a few techniques to make sure your room service meals are worth your money and appetite…
— New York Times
The Desert Retreat Transforming the UAE's Glitzy Hotel Scene
The northernmost emirate is building a reputation for itself as an adventure travel destination, and the new Alma Retreat is trying to fill the gap for those looking to get closer to nature…
— The Independent
Other and Odd
How to Travel Like a Billionaire
From their tried-and-true hotel brands to their go-to beach destinations, here’s some insight into what it’s like to travel like a billionaire, according to four billionaires from around the world…
— GQ
Travel Tips From Comedians: Tom Segura
Comedians know a thing or two about travel, since their job is to make people laugh in cities all across the world. Here are a few pointers from Tom Segura, whose new special "Disgraceful" is now streaming on Netflix…
— New York Times
Today in History
New York's Grand Central Station Opens
Grand Central Terminal ("Station" is not a part of its official name) at 42nd Street and Park Avenue in Midtown Manhattan was built by the New York Central Railroad…
— Travel Research Online
Mike's Morning Missives
Make It Happen
 Do you feel comfortable when asking your customers “How was your experience with us?” You should be, but I am betting that you aren’t. The reason for that is you are afraid you might hear something you don’t want to hear. Yet the truth of the matter is that you are in total control of response. It is entirely up to you to make your clients, customers and guests feel very special and therefore share a very favorable answer to your…
— Travel Research Online
Read the rest of this article »
|
Travel Agent Diaries
Disney And The Dad
by Elizabeth Foss
Thursday February 01, 2018
I've been  deep into the Disney Destinations niche for close to two decades, and have been honored to be a part of planning many special trips for clients. There’s one, though, that always stands out for me.
I’d been booking an annual Walt Disney World trip for an adult brother and sister and their families for years. The wives did a great job of keeping me up to date between trips on what the families were up to, and I came to consider them friends as much as clients. I even drove to Orlando to meet up with them in person one year!
— Travel Research Online
Read the rest of this article »
|
TRO and The Travel Institute Scholarship Program
TRO believes ongoing training is important to the health of the travel professional. Therefore, we have partnered with The Travel Institute to assist travel agents to earn their Certified Travel Associate designation. TRO will be awarding a $100 scholarship to at least one attendee of TRO webinars each webinar. If you want to be considered for the scholarship you need only to register here:
http://www.thetravelinstitute.com/troscholarship/
and then attend TRO’s webinars. Winners will be selected and notified immediately after each webinar!
|
Upcoming Training Opportunities
Travel Agency Transformation
Tuesday, February 13, 2018 at 1 pm EST/10 am PST
If you answer “YES” to any of these questions, YOU need to attend!
Register Now ➠
MEET THE NEW SCENIC ECLIPSE
Wednesday, February 7, 2018 at 3 pm EST/12 pm PST
The World’s First Discovery Yacht, the ultra-luxury mega yacht, Scenic Eclipse, will make her debut on August 31st in Athens, Greece. Inspired by the sleek contours of a sailing yacht and designed to easily glide through ocean currents, Scenic Eclipse will utilize state-of-the-art technology while featuring luxury suites, world-class dining, butler service and Spa Sanctuary that is over 5,000 square feet.
Register Now ➠
"Best of Both Worlds" with Down Under Answers
Tuesday, February 6, 2018 at 1 pm EST/10 am PST
Do you want the “Best of Both Worlds”? Then Victoria and the Northern Territory in Australia is for you.
Register Now ➠
|
|
|
|
