TravelResearchOnline | The voice of the travel agency community

“Continuous effort, not strength or intelligence, is the key to unlocking our potential.” ~ Winston Churchill

What is the calculus of success? Is there a formula to being really good at whatever you most want to do?

One of the really great characteristics about children is their unfailing knowledge they can do anything.  Draw a picture? Hand them the crayons. Play the drums? Give them those sticks. Converse about the universe? Have a seat and lend an ear.

Somewhere along the way, we adults learn to limit ourselves.  We become convinced of our personal borders. We accept we aren’t musical, we can’t draw, we decide our intelligence has severe limitations. We circumscribe ourselves even as to activities we have never tried!  Can you sculpt a figurine out of a block of stone? How do you know? Why are you certain you cannot do something you have never tried?  And if you have tried, how many times? Read the rest of this entry »

Many of the best river cruises in Europe get overlooked by the average consumer. We’re going to make it easy for you to choose a spot, whether it’s your first time on a river cruise or you’re a pro. Here are the top 10 European river cruises for 2020. Read the rest of this entry »

When your client returns from vacation, you are essentially fired. They are now your unclients. You may call them clients again only when they have put money down on a future trip.

Many businesses make the egregious mistake classifying post-sale consumers as loyal clients. This is a common default assumption when: a) the business is confident they delivered as promised; and b) when the consumer does not follow up with issues or negative feedback.

This business expects repeat and referral business to be the natural next step in the relationship — sort of a reciprocity payback for a job well-done.

In fact, the post-sale consumer has this expectation of the business! Read the rest of this entry »

Do you feel like you’ve got a lot on your plate?

• marketing
• selling
• researching
• client meetings
• webinars
• the list seems endless at times…

Then you have to add in social marketing… stressful, right?

Wouldn’t you rather feel like you’ve got it all covered… that you’re a savvy marketer?

Here are some social marketing tactics you can do in 27 minutes or less to market your social presence, earn new fans & skyrocket your marketing savvy. Read the rest of this entry »

Sit down. Be quiet. Come here. Take this. Run there. Wake up. Go to bed. It seems all our lives we’ve been told to do things. And it hasn’t stopped since we’ve become adults—well most of us have become adults.

Today in the travel industry we are constantly being bombarded with suggestions and best practices from those in the industry. You have to specialize. You must charge fees. You have to sell this resort. Don’t sell a non-preferred supplier. And that is all pretty solid advice for most agencies. But are you most agencies? Read the rest of this entry »

First, you must know how much our family loves the holidays. When we were shopping for our home years ago, the first thing my wife looked for is where to put the Christmas tree. “It’s a Wonderful Life” is required viewing for some families. For us, Love Actually is our favorite as we gather in our home for this annual event.

As is tradition, the day after Thanksgiving, we all pile into the truck and head out to a local tree farm nestled in hills of the lower Cascades – not far from our home. This is the story of an experience we had several years ago. Like a great vacation, it made for lasting memories.

Over the years our entourage has grown from the four of us to include boyfriends, a husband, in-laws, nieces, nephews, dogs and grand dogs. It’s quite a show. This year there were just six of us and four dogs. 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 »

This is the seventh of seven articles in a series titled Discover Your Group Niche. You will be able find the others in our Point-to-Point section.

Michael: I DECLARE BANKRUPTCY!

Oscar: I just wanted you to know that you can’t just say the word bankruptcy and expect anything to happen.

Michael: I didn’t say it. I declared it.

Fans of The Office will instantly recall this hilarious segment from Season 4, Episode 4. Michael believes he will solve his financial woes in three words. His staff accountant is quick to correct him. The solution requires more than words, it requires him to take action! Read the rest of this entry »

Conflicting news has travelers confounded about whether they can still travel from the US to Cuba. Caribbean Tours USA has the answer, a resounding – Yes!

With almost 20 years of experience in travel to Cuba, 11 in in the Dominican Republic, Caribbean Tours USA wants to help travelers get the real information about traveling to the land of classic cars and gorgeous beaches. As they are already welcoming 25,000 customers per year to Cuba and the Dominican Republic, their knowledge of what is required for Cuba travel is tried and true. Read the rest of this entry »

Welcome to another inspired collection of short UK programmes which will help you to increase your profits from cruises sailing in, and out, of Southampton.

My top stories focus on well-known names like Sherlock Holmes, Miss Marple and Inspector Morse; and I have highlighted a couple of Crime Writer Festivals which could be of interest. Elsewhere, there are reminders of the interest that can be generated when you offer clients tours that include names like Downton Abbey, Alice in Wonderland and Harry Potter, Stonehenge and King Arthur, the Cotswolds and the Royal Horticultural Society flagship garden at Wisley.

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 »

“Productivity isn’t about being a workhorse, keeping busy or burning the midnight oil. It’s more about priorities, planning, and fiercely protecting your time.”

I am absolutely certain of one thing when it comes to rendering travel services to the rank and file: Although you can try to be many things to many people, you can’t be all things to all people – if you have any intention of accomplishing your financial goals.

I am betting you are as busy as a one-armed paperhanger, and you do not have enough hours in the day to complete all the tasks on your to-do list. You did not invent this “time warp,” but you do have to find a way to deal with it. Read the rest of this entry »

There are many reasons to visit the paradise known as Santorini. It is home to some of the famous and stunning white-washed houses found along many of the islands in the Cyclades. Almost all cafes and restaurants have a view of the azure waters. Nights bring starry skies, the revelry of nightclubs and bars. These traits make Santorini perfect for the start of a new life together – whether it be weddings or honeymoons. Read the rest of this entry »

Having joined the American Society of Travel Advisors (ASTA) in 2015, Mark Meader is responsible for advocating on behalf of agencies, travel advisors and consumer communities with travel suppliers, technology providers, other trade associations, coalitions and various government entities. Mark is also the driving force behind the ASTA Verified Travel Advisor Certification program, as well as the highly rated educational content at annual ASTA events fostering agency growth and learning worldwide. He promotes and defends the agency community ensuring the travel advisor’s voice is heard clearly and the advisor is well represented throughout the industry. Mark also serves on the Board of Directors of the WTAAA – the World Travel Agents Associations Alliance – where he is Chairman – an organization facilitating the exchange of ideas and information to the agency community across the globe. Read the rest of this entry »

In southern Egypt, just above the border with Sudan, sits Abu Simbel. It is a small town that houses lesser-known temples that stand out as grand sites. Along the river considered to be the cradle of civilization, Abu Simbel rests next to where the Nile opens up to Lake Nassar. The desert region is home to perfect examples of Nubian monuments and musical traditions that date back thousands of years.

Read the rest of this entry »

Deep in the heart of mountains, Shirakawa-go is a vivid image of old Japan. Thatched roof houses sit under forest covered mountains. Every season seems to be accentuated, from the white snow of winter to the bright green grass of summer. National parks dot the area around, while a gorgeous river runs directly through the small village. Shirakawa-go is a view of ancient Japan and splendor of lush country sides.

Read the rest of this entry »

In the northeast area of Hungary is the Tokaj-Hegyalja Region. Here, the famous Aszú wine flows and the cuisine is topnotch. The nearby Zemplen Mountains offer up rugged wilderness, while just outside of those mountains nature trails and ancient castles are ready to be explored. From luxury to cozy, this UNESCO World Heritage site is a getaway for travelers that has much to offer in the way of luxury and adventure. 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 »

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