AAT Kings has announced two new short break tours in Australia’s majestic Northern Territory, presenting travel agents with exciting new packaged offerings. Lasting 3-4 days, these immersive experiences balance efficient travel with in-depth discovery of Uluru, Kata Tjuta, and Kings Canyon.

WeTravel, the leading all-in-one travel business management platform, recently announced the launch of their new virtual L(a)unch-N-Learn series. Designed to create and foster a sense of community among travel professionals, these lunchtime gatherings will provide an opportunity to come together and discuss key topics impacting the world of multi-day travel Read the rest of this entry »

OutsideAgents.com, America’s premier host agency, is excited to announce the hiring of travel industry professional Andrea Wright as Vice President, Luxury Sales. She joins OutsideAgents.com with over 25 years of hospitality experience.

Wright will spearhead the formulation of an exclusive deluxe brand designed to answer the escalating demand for luxury experiences. She will be responsible for working with agents to drive business across all sectors of luxury travel and collaborating with premium suppliers to create unique journeys that agents can promote and offer to their clientele.

Wright has held a variety of positions with Playa Hotels & Resorts and was most recently their Vice President of Sales, USA, managing the U.S sales team and overseeing resort partnerships and marketing initiatives. Prior to Playa Hotels and Resorts, Wright held sales management positions with Club Med.

Steve Muraca and Chad Burt, Co-Owners of OutsideAgents.com stated, “We are absolutely delighted and privileged to announce the addition of Andrea Wright to OutsideAgents.com. Her depth of experience and profound knowledge in luxury travel enriches our team and brings additional value to our members and preferred partners.”

American Cruise Lines is pleased to announce that it has five more new ships under construction, all scheduled for delivery over the next two years. These are in addition to the three ships the Line took delivery of this year. All five ships will be for the U.S. market and will include a mix of American Riverboats and Coastal Cats. The new ships will further American’s expansion on the coasts and renew its focus on the Mississippi and Columbia Rivers, where the Line’s acclaimed modern riverboats lead the U.S. market.

American Cruise Lines has specialized in river and small ship cruising for over 50 years and has ordered the vast majority of all American-built cruise ships during that time. The company operates the only fleet of 100% U.S. registered riverboats and cruise ships in the world.

“The new contract is an exciting expansion of the American Cruise Lines fleet,” said Charles B. Robertson, President & CEO of American Cruise Lines. “After several years building the coastal fleet, we are once again ready to begin building out the U.S. River cruise capacity.”
The new ships will be built by Chesapeake Shipbuilding in Salisbury, MD; more details, including schedules, will be available in Q1 of 2024.

About American Cruise Lines:
American Cruise Lines is the largest small ship and river cruise operator in the U.S.A. The company’s award-winning ships offer luxury experiences in 35 states that explore the history, spirit, and culture of the United States. The Line’s rapid introduction of new ships has led to an innovative array of new itineraries, amenities, and experiences. In 2024, American will operate 19 ships, each accommodating just 90-180 passengers, which cruise more than 50 domestic itineraries.

WeTravel, a booking and payment platform, has recently released a Where to Go 2024 list outlining hot spots in travel for 2024. They’ve based the suggestions on bookings through the WeTravel platform. London, Ghana, Paris, and more. These recommendations are complete with popular activities from cruises to festivals, and museums to nature. Read the rest of this entry »

Australis has been taking travelers to some of the most remote and sought-after views in the world since 1990, Patagonia and Tierra del Fuego. At the southern tip of South America, these regions are famous for glaciers, fjords, subpolar forests, and fantastic marine and terrestrial wildlife. Some of these sights can only be experienced on an expedition and education cruise, which is where Australis shines.

Blue-Roads Touring got its current name from a man who went on a journey of discovery across America. William Least Heat-Moon began this road trip in 1978, a road trip that would take him 13,000 miles along “blue roads” around the United States. Meaning, William traveled mostly on secondary roads, with the sights and sounds of local folk in his chronicled collection titled Blue Highways.

Fitting for Blue-Roads Touring to gravitate to this name, as they take the traveler beyond Read the rest of this entry »

Applause-Tickets.com is proud to announce their 36th anniversary this year. For over three decades, they have been providing travel agents with excellent service and superior seating for both Broadway and London Theatre. In addition to theatre tickets, they also offer tickets for nationwide events, local concerts, and sporting events. Read the rest of this entry »

London is a city of history and culture, one of the most visited in the world. Yet, outside the city limits of this fascinating and rather large city are rolling hills of green around smaller cities that represent the varied paths of England’s past. The Cotswolds, and its rolling green hills. Bath, a city of Roman-era baths. Cornwall, where some still speak a Celtic language. These are all excellent examples of destinations outside the busy streets of London.

Romance Travel Forum, an exclusive B2B event focused on destination weddings, honeymoons, and other romantic occasions celebrated with travel, recently concluded with outstanding reviews, and strong optimism for increased business amongst participants.  Produced by Travel Show Marketing Group (TravelSMG), an independent event organizer catering to the Travel Advisor market, this exclusive event was held at the Secrets Moxché Playa Del Carmen resort in Mexico from June  25 – 29.  The sold-out 2023 edition was Read the rest of this entry »

If you need to renew or apply for a new passport, you may face longer than average wait times. The State Department is reporting significant backlogs for both renewal and new passport applications due to pandemic-related disruptions and delays.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, the State Department had to temporarily shut down passport agencies and centers for health and safety. Operations have now resumed, but they are still not back to normal pre-pandemic processing times. The State Department estimates that it will take between 10 to 12 weeks for routine service.

The backlog is not just due to shutdowns, however. Many Americans put off applying for or renewing their passports during the height of the pandemic, due to travel restrictions and health concerns. Now that more people are beginning to plan travel again, the State Department has seen a surge in new applications, contributing to longer wait times. They are advising people who need a new passport to apply now for the holidays and avoid paying expensive fees for expedited service unless truly necessary.

The delays and increased demand underscore the importance of applying for or renewing your passport with plenty of lead time. While the State Department aims to eventually return to normal processing times, the backlog of applications may continue to impact turnaround times for some months. If planning international travel, ensure your passport is up to date and allow a minimum of 4 to 6 weeks to receive your new passport. With planning, most people should be able to get their passports in time for their trips, but flexibility and patience will be important in the short term.

For those looking to explore the waterways of Europe and beyond, CroisiEurope Cruises is an excellent choice. As Europe’s largest river cruise line, they pride themselves on welcoming over 220,000 passengers annually across its fleet of 51 ships, and more than 200 itineraries. With a range of unique destinations and ships, plus a commitment to reducing its environmental impact, CroisiEurope Cruises is a great option for travelers seeking a high-quality river cruise experience. Read the rest of this entry »

Tortuguero, Costa Rica is a stunning coastal village located on the northeast Caribbean coast of Costa Rica. The region is famous for its beautiful beaches, canals, lagoons, and swamps, which offer visitors the chance to immerse themselves in nature and explore the country’s diverse ecosystem. The village’s name means “region of turtles” in Spanish, and it is a popular nesting site for sea turtles.

Every travel advisor knows that group travel can include quite a lot of details to arrange. From coordinating travel plans to collecting payments from each individual, organizing group trips can be time-consuming and frustrating. That’s where WeTravel comes in. The comprehensive platform streamlines the entire group travel process, making it easy for travel organizers to create and manage trips with ease. Read the rest of this entry »

Porto is a vibrant city located in northern Portugal on the banks of the Douro River. Known for its delicious wine, stunning architecture and rich history, Porto is a fascinating destination that offers something for everyone. In this article, we will explore some of the top things to do in Porto, Portugal.

The Changing Face of Travel Agents 2023, the report released by The Travel Institute, offers valuable insights into the current state of the travel industry. Based on the findings, the gig economy continues to thrive, and more agents are interested in part-time work that provides greater flexibility and independence. Read the rest of this entry »

Travel has been a part of human life since the migratory days of ancient ancestors. Though, it has changed quite a bit from having to walk for thousands of miles. Ships, horse-led carts, trains, cars, planes, and then jets. We have traveled through time to our destination in the here and now, where we travel this wonderful world more than any other population in history. Read the rest of this entry »

On dates ranging from March 17^th to October 11^th of 2024, Collette will be offering a special version of their ‘Memorials of World War II’ tour. The tour will focus on the 80^th anniversary of D-Day, June 6^th, 1944, during World War II.

The special tour will take the traveler through cities like London, where the traveler will learn about what is like during The Blitz and travel across the English Channel.

Also on the itinerary is France, specifically the first French town liberated from the Nazis, Saint-Mère-Église. While the tour ends in Paris, the city of light, with a dinner cruise along the Seine River.

And of course, a chance to experience the beaches of Normandy and honor the almost 9,000 Allied troop deaths when storming the shore.

“Throughout 2024, our travelers will have the opportunity to take this journey honoring the 80th anniversary of D-Day, traveling along the same paths as the nearly 160,000 Allied troops who battled for European freedom on June 6, 1944. The visit to Normandy is always an emotional one. It is such a moving experience to set foot on the same sand as so many heroes did that day.”, said Jaclyn Liebl-Cote Chief Customer Experience Officer at Collette.

Tour prices start at $3,499, and Collette says there are plenty of spots for travelers available.

In the past, Peru endured a significant wave of protests and violence that has led to many casualties. This path of unrest resulted from former President Pedro Castillo’s removal from power, which was viewed by many as a controversial decision. Nevertheless, things are now calm, and the United States State Department has lowered its travel advisory from level 3 to level 2.

The reduction of the travel advisory to Peru is excellent news for people who have been waiting to travel to the country. However, it is essential to note that there are still some considerations travelers need to make before embarking on a trip.

While the country is now safe to travel to, the recent unrest is a reminder of the need for adequate preparation before any journey. Therefore, it is vital to research thoroughly about the destination and stay up to date with any information that might be relevant to travelers.

Applause-Tickets.com is proud to announce their 36th anniversary this year. For over three decades, they have been providing travel agents with excellent service and superior seating for both Broadway and London Theatre. In addition to theatre tickets, they also offer tickets for nationwide events, local concerts, and sporting events. Read the rest of this entry »

If you’re a travel advisor or know someone who is, then you may have heard of HAR’s Travel Advisor Survey. For those who are unfamiliar, this survey is the only one of its kind that profiles different advisor segments, including income, fees, business operations, demographics, and career satisfaction. Read the rest of this entry »