TravelResearchOnline | The voice of the travel agency community

Several years back, Psychology Today ran an article on what it termed the human “negativity bias.” It seems that our brains have a heightened sensitivity to unpleasant news. We focus on the negative. Very likely that capacity kept our knuckle-dragging ancestors out of harm’s way. Today, however, it serves to allow politicians to manipulate us with negative messaging  and gives the news media a portal through which they can drive advertising. The impact can be seriously harmful to our sense of well-being. Our clients are certainly affected by the same influences. Anyone who has spent any time at all on social media of late no doubt has been exposed to a bit of untempered anger. With a political season at hand, we can anticipate a tsunami of negativity in our near future layered on top of the Covid-19 situation.

Yikes.

Unfortunately, this bad-news bias is active not only when we sit in front of the television, but in every aspect of our lives. We remember insults far longer than we remember compliments. Fear can paralyze us into acting unwisely or not at all. Read the rest of this entry »

Silversea Cruises prepares to take delivery of new ship Silver Origin, following a great display of resilience, determination and fine European craftsmanship from Dutch shipyard De Hoop. Despite the global lockdown, De Hoop implemented rigid safety procedures, reduced its workforce, and devised ingenious ways to overcome posed challenges, including a world-first during the ship’s sea trial. Read the rest of this entry »

On October 3^rd, I will do a 1.2-mile swim, 56-mile bike and finish with a 13.1-mile run. I write you from St. Petersburg, FL, training for a St. Jude Memphis Ironman 70.3. To all who saw my May 17th Facebook post while on my Southwest MEM/MDW/TPA flight and wondered why and where Stuart was flying to, now you know.

I’ll tell you what it is like to fly when most others are choosing not to fly right now. This article is not about what it’s like to train for an event that most others do not choose to do, ever. I’ll save that story for another day. Read the rest of this entry »

Fast forward 10 years… It’s now 2030. Let’s just imagine what we’ll be saying as we look back on 2020.

How would you complete this sentence: “Back in 2020, I accomplished ____________ .” Right now, you have the power to position yourself for the future and to influence how you finish this sentence.

While we all remember other game-changers in our industry and the legacies they’ve left on our industry, let’s think about what legacy you’ll be creating for your business. Here’s a blue-print to consider as we move into the ‘next normal’. Read the rest of this entry »

We are going to get out of this. That is a given. But for now, many of us are still under some form or restriction as the nation is cautiously looking to other areas to see if re-opening the economy can be done without a resurgence of the COVID-19 virus. But I wonder what will happen when the “all-clear” signal (or maybe it is a “kinda-clear” signal) is given? Read the rest of this entry »

I am an avid advocate for emulating successful companies and salespeople. My thought: ‘Why try to reinvent the wheel when someone else has already built the car?’
As the world SLOWLY begins to open back up, are you going to go back to the “same old, same old” you were doing before all this happened?

After selling our successful travel agency, I took some time off so I could re-imagine myself and what to do next. Little did I know at the time, how similar the circumstances were to what we are facing in our industry today. Looking back, I was fortunate to have that opportunity. Read the rest of this entry »

The team at ShoreTrips has traveled to over 400 destinations around the world and came up with a list of our best recommendations for your next world travel experience. From the far corners of Asia to the United States, here is a list of must-see travel experiences to fuel your wanderlust in 2019. Read the rest of this entry »

A few personal thoughts from Mike Marchev.

I was lying in bed at 4:15 a.m. this morning with my mind turning to the topic that is on everybody’s mind these days. In one way, shape or form, the Coronavirus is affecting each and every one of us regardless whether you are involved with travel or not.

Under the cover of darkness, I found myself thinking specifically of my travel professional associates and the thought that this “monster” might get a lot worse before it gets better.

But the truth is that it will get better. The truth is that there will be life after COVID-19 Read the rest of this entry »

There are so many companies that provide travel to destinations around the world, it can be difficult to find the right person for the job. There are companies that can get you anywhere in the world but, a “Jack (or Jill) of all trades” lacks the specialized knowledge needed to give the traveler a thorough plan for their getaway. Fortunately, when it comes to the tropical country of Costa Rica, Costa Rica Dream Adventures is your go-to planner for a trip to this majestic country.

Read the rest of this entry »

As you can’t make it to the UK at the moment, let your imagination (and technology) transport you across the pond to learn more about some of the travel experiences you could offer clients in May of next year. Especially for those who have been to the UK on several occasions in the past. Some of them may only want to go to London but, if they’re actively involved in the cultural scene at home, they might like to be offered other options which can be tailored to meet their specific interests and time frame. Read the rest of this entry »

I’m doing something a little unusual for this TRO installment! In order to maintain privacy, I’m answering a question without providing the specific exchange. Over the past two weeks, several travel advisors reached out to me to let me know that their host are not paying their commissions (sometimes to the tune of tens of thousands of dollars). Read the rest of this entry »

Yesterday, I asked you to request the full-blown copy of my Special Report titled My 12-Word Marketing Plan. Send me an email with the number 12 in the subject box and get ready for a blinding flash of the obvious. (Well worth your time to read.)

I promised you the Cliff Notes version today. Here it is.

Are you ready to get down to business? Read the rest of this entry »

John started his travel career with OAG Travel Magazines in 1989, working in marketing and sales with their highly successful TravelAge Trade Shows. He phased into also selling TV sponsorships and advertising for The World of Travel, which aired at major travel conferences worldwide.

John co-founded the trade show division at Travel Agent magazine, as well as writing a bi-monthly column called Trade Show Insider. After which he pioneered “Video Streaming” for that travel industry with MediaOnDemand.com. His next stop, was developing the travel vertical with a newly created position for Corporate Trading at ICON International, a division of Omnicom.

Returning to travel publishing as Vice President/Executive Publisher of Travel Trade Publications, he expanded its trade show operations.

Read the rest of this entry »

Neetu Singh is the Marketing Director at Sky Bird Travel & Tours’ headquarters in Southfield, MI. Born in Shimla, India and raised in Michigan, Neetu earned her undergraduate degree in psychology followed by an MBA with a marketing concentration from Walsh College.

Neetu began at Sky Bird in 2017, saying it was “the right opportunity at the right time!” Her innate love for travel – with excursions like Ireland, Scotland, South Africa, and Croatia stamped in her passport – and 14-years of marketing experience made taking on the role as head of Sky Bird’s marketing department an easy transition. Neetu enjoys every aspect of marketing and using consumer research, strategy alignment, and product development to answer client needs and enhance user experience. She values making a positive impact and adding to the legacy of a company like Sky Bird. In an industry that is always changing and updating, Neetu consistently challenges her team to learn and experiment, giving them permission to try and fail so that they can grow from each experience. Read the rest of this entry »

There’s a reason that La Fortuna remains one of the most visited areas in Costa Rica. Simply put, it is paradise. This small town, located in an area named the same, is a fortune of relaxation and allowing the richness of life to wash over the traveler. With a magnificent volcano as a backdrop, La Fortuna’s lush natural surroundings and laid-back atmosphere lets the traveler settle into a worthwhile vacation.

Read the rest of this entry »

Colorado is a nature-lover’s dream come true. Snow-tipped mountains in the distance, with trails and valleys snaking through its pristine landscapes. Lush alpine forests, desert dunes, and sights that bring forth inspiration from scenery nearly unmatched. These qualities are more than abundant at the national parks of Colorado. Read the rest of this entry »

On the Adriatic Sea, just across from Italy, is the coast of Croatia. These 1104 miles of magnificent coasts, and 1246 islands, are world-renowned. The stunning clear-blue waters along the Croatian coast have always been a draw for those looking to experience a vision of paradise. Cliffs and islands offer up sites to behold that can not be overstated. The shores of Croatia are picture-perfect in every way. Read the rest of this entry »

A conversation with one of our Society of International Railway Travelers (IRT) clients one recent Sunday morning went like this:

Text to my phone early morning: “My passport is lost! We are in London. Help!!” Read the rest of this entry »

When it comes to a world tour, it means to go and explore. There are a number of tours which exist and you will need to understand what each one of them really means. There is the hosted, independent, and escorted tour. The independent tour means that you are traveling on your own. This is where the travel company only takes the initiative to book your hotel and then seating on your own for any train or boat rides. When you land in the country you are going to, you will have to find your way to the hotel and make arrangements of what and where you want to go and see on your own. Read the rest of this entry »

(more…)