Next week is the week of Africa’s Travel Indaba, the travel trade show for all of Africa. It will be held in Durban, South Africa, at the Inkosi Albert Luthuli International Convention Centre (ICC) May 13-16.

The word “indaba” is Zulu for “the story.” For those interested in the African travel industry, Africa’s Travel Indaba is the time and place to get the story, directly from the people engaged in that industry, at the point where participants gather from around the world.

There will be 26 African countries participating in the show Read the rest of this entry »

It’s been five years since the federal government announced that it would require REAL IDs for travelers over 18. But in just a year from now, the regulation actually is likely to take effect.

Passed by Congress in 2005, the REAL ID Act was the result of a recommendation by the 9/11 Commission that the Federal Government “set standards for the issuance of sources of identification, such as driver’s licenses” before allowing people to board a commercial airplane. The Act establishes minimum security standards for driver’s licenses that are used as identification, and prohibits certain federal agencies—including the Transportation Security Administration and Department of Homeland Security (DHS)—from accepting IDs that do not meet the Act’s standards.

Delayed three times over the past five years, the requirement likely actually will take effect on May 7, 2025. Beginning on that date, a driver’s license will only be acceptable ID at the airport if it has a REAL ID seal.

While many travelers will need to get a new, compliant driver’s license even to fly domestically, many other forms of ID are also acceptable, including:

• A US passport book or card
• An enhanced driver’s license, available in Michigan, Minnesota, New York, Vermont and Washington
• A DHS trusted traveler card (Global Entry, NEXUS, SENTRI, FAST)
• A US Department of Defense ID, including IDs issued to dependents
• A permanent resident card
• A border crossing card
• An acceptable photo ID issued by a federally recognized, Tribal Nation/Indian Tribe
• An HSPD-12 PIV card
• A foreign government-issued passport
• A Canadian provincial driver’s license or Indian and Northern Affairs Canada card
• Transportation worker identification credentials
• A US Citizenship and Immigration Services Employment Authorization Card (I-766)
• A US Merchant Mariner Credential
• A Veteran Health Identification Card (VHIC)

Since driver’s licenses are issued by the states, each one has its own requirements for a REAL ID. But DHS requires as a minimum proof of your full legal name, date of birth, social security number, and two proofs of address of your principal residence.

Note that while these forms of ID will get you on a plane, they can’t be used to travel across any border, including Canada or Mexico, DHS points out.

For more details on REAL ID, go to REAL ID FAQs | Homeland Security (dhs.gov)

Travel advisors now have a powerful new tool with the launch of Travel Answers, a unified brand consolidating five leading wholesale travel companies. This rebranding combines Down Under Answers, Travel2, Islands in the Sun, Africa Answers, and Asia Answers into one platform.

The move aims to streamline operations, marketing, and travel advisor experience across these DMCs specializing in Read the rest of this entry »

A new Marriott on Florida’s Gulf Coast is accepting reservations beginning June 2, offering a new option for individual travelers as well as meetings and conventions.

Overlooking the Manatee River, the Palmetto Marriott Resort & Spa is the largest hotel in the Bradenton Area, offering 252 guest rooms, each 375 square feet, as well as two resort-style pools and one lap pool, a waterfront with cabanas, beach volleyball and pickleball courts, a spa and two state-of-the-art fitness centers, and an event “epicenter” with a 40,000 square-foot outdoor lawn and a state-of-the-art amphitheater. Its design is meant to “celebrate its coastal surroundings,” with architectural and design elements reminiscent of a ship on land.

The property connects to the Bradenton Area Convention Center, which is currently undergoing a $48 million renovation and expansion that is scheduled to be completed in 2025. Together, the resort and the convention center will offer 140,000 square feet of indoor and outdoor meeting and event space.

The hotel is less than an hour from Sarasota-Bradenton International (SRQ), St. Pete-Clearwater International (PIE) and Tampa International (TPA) airports. On-site dining options include The Social and the Oyster River rooftop restaurants as well as a food truck and an M Club executive club lounge.

In its quarterly report on May 1, Marriott International said it has added 46,000 new rooms, for a total of 1.6 million.

For more information, visit Palmetto Marriott Resort & Spa.

In 1982, I remember asking myself two questions before stepping up to the microphone, “What difference are you going to make? How are you going to improve upon the silence? 42 years later, I am still asking myself these same two questions.

In a few weeks, I will be presenting at an annual sales meeting consisting of medical device sales professionals. You can be sure that these two questions will be fresh on my mind.

And the fact of the matter is that every sales professional who is reading my column today (can be, and perhaps should be) asking yourself these same two questions Read the rest of this entry »

In the ever-changing travel advisory, mastering the art of specialization is not just an option; it’s a strategic imperative for those aiming to grow. Embracing niche markets opens doors to a new audience and increases profitability. Whether it’s catering to adrenaline junkies with adventure tourism, indulging discerning clientele in luxury travel, or tantalizing taste buds with culinary journeys, find your niche and reap your rewards. Read the rest of this entry »

Be careful what you ask for, ASTA.

The new US Department of Transportation (DOT) regulations offer many benefits to travelers, including some for which ASTA has long been lobbying. But at the same time, they hold some pitfalls for unwary travel advisors, ASTA said last week.

Still, though, travel attorney Tom Carpenter told TRO, taking a few cautionary steps can help keep you out of trouble.

“First off, the sky is not falling,” Carpenter says. The initial proposed rule would have required all agencies to issue refunds, even if you did not take any money from your client. But the rule that actually was issued only requires agencies to issue refunds if you are the “merchant of record” on the ticket transaction Read the rest of this entry »

It’s no secret that we love to keep moving when we travel. From bicycling-themed cruises to excursions that get our heart rate going, we think the best way to see the world is by getting our bodies moving. It turns out that many of you value active experiences when you travel as well. That’s why we’ve put together a list of our three favorite river cruise lines for active travelers: AmaWaterways, Avalon and Emerald. Let’s find out which one is right for you Read the rest of this entry »

Tucked away in the northeastern corner of Costa Rica, the small village of Tortuguero is a true ecological gem. Nestled within a vast protected national park, it is one of the most important nesting sites for sea turtles in the Western Hemisphere. Each year, thousands of endangered green turtles arrive en masse to lay their eggs on the long, isolated stretches of beach. This incredible natural phenomenon draws visitors from around the world hoping to witness one of nature’s ancient reproductive rituals.

It’s hard to imagine any place more fundamental to being a well-traveled person than Greece, the source of Western Civilization. It’s even closer to the root than Italy. The culture of Rome was essentially appropriated from Greece. The Romans were practical. Why re-invent the wheel when the Greeks had covered so much?

Greece is Western Civ 101. It provides a solid basis for exploring the rest of Western Civilization. But aside from all that history and culture, the Greek Islands, in the sparkling blue Aegean Sea, are among the most beautiful places a person could ever hope to be. And Greek cuisine brings that history right up to the present.

There are 6,000 islands in Greece. Cally Papas’s parents were born on one of them Read the rest of this entry »

North American tourism to Switzerland has doubled since 2019 and the demand for increased transportation has been answered. Convenient and culturally immersive, Switzerland has given the North American tourist, and diligently planning travel agents, a giant transportation high five. There are now three new and noteworthy options for entering this picturesque, storybook country. For business or leisure tourists, getting to Switzerland has never been easier or more culturally immersive Read the rest of this entry »

More than 300 union members are on strike at London Heathrow, but local media reported few issues at the airport today.

UK Border Force workers have begun a four-day strike scheduled to run from April 29 to May 2, which they said would “disrupt passport checks for travelers coming into the UK at Heathrow airport.”

But The Independent, a British newspaper, reports that travelers so far have “identified no problems with passport control” at Terminals 3 and 5.

Still, said the airport, while “we have robust plans in place to minimize disruption where possible, we urge passengers to check the latest advice from operators before they travel. Gates will be open as usual, and most journeys should be unaffected. However, some longer queue times may be experienced.”

Two other planned strikes have been canceled, including one by aircraft refuelers over the May 4 Bank Holiday, which could have grounded 35 airlines, and a weeklong strike of firefighters planned for May 7 to May 13. But travelers taking the train from Heathrow to central London will be affected by a train drivers’ overtime ban that runs from May 6 to May 11, and a subsequent strike on May 8, when services will be reduced from 7:30 am and 7:00 pm.

Heathrow Airport today reported a record-breaking 18.5 million passengers in Q1 2024, more than it has ever seen before. The strong performance was in part driven by growth on key business routes like Delhi and Mumbai, strong North American traffic, and surging East Asian demand (up 40% over last year).

Two weeks ago, reminded you how important it was to differentiate yourself from your competition. In an effort to clarify my point, I referenced Seth Godin’s book titled The Purple Cow. 

Today I would like to expand on this topic by breaking down the word PURPLE.

Passionate. There are two schools of thought here. Some say that you do not need to be passionate about your work to get the job done. I agree. I am not passionate about mowing my lawn yet Read the rest of this entry »

The travel agency industry has significantly transformed over the past few decades. Once a pastime predominantly pursued by the wives of wealthy businessmen who organized leisure trips more for social interaction than profit, it has evolved into a true professional sector. Read the rest of this entry »

Non-profit organizations dedicated to conservation and animal welfare play a critical role in safeguarding our planet’s biodiversity. From protecting endangered species and their habitats to advocating for better animal welfare practices, these groups work tirelessly to ensure a healthier future for all living things. Here’s a closer look at some of the most respected organizations making a difference around the world. Read the rest of this entry »

There’s no way to summarize a weeklong press trip to Israel in just one column. So I’ve taken two.

For the background on our amazing journey, see my column from last week, One Step Ahead of the Rockets: An Unforgettable Press Trip to Israel | Travel Research Online. But if you’re looking for details on how to plan a great trip, here are some highlights from the itinerary put together for our group of 20 international trade press by Ellen Shapiro of the Israel Ministry of Tourism and our tour guide, Mika Rabinovich. So here goes:

From Johannesburg to Victoria Falls, we’ll marvel at wildlife against a backdrop of spectacular panoramas. We’ll pitch camp in romantic lodges and sail on the beautiful African Queen. We’ll explore beautiful natural reserves and the secrets of Lake Kariba before taking in the grandeur of the “smoke that thunders,” Victoria Falls Read the rest of this entry »

Travel advisors, like the general public, soon will be able to own a piece of Viking Holdings Ltd. Headed to an IPO on the New York Stock Exchange, the company expects to soon be selling ordinary shares at $21-$25, for a total market capitalization of between $9.06 billion and $10.79 billion.

Viking will have 431.46 million shares outstanding after the IPO, including 303.68 million ordinary shares that carry one vote each, and 127.8 million special shares that have 10 votes each. They will trade under the ticker symbol “VIK.”

At the top price, the sale will bring in $825 million, and make Viking the third-largest NYSE-listed cruise company, behind Royal Caribbean ($33.7 billion) and Carnival Corp. ($17.7 billion), and ahead of Norwegian ($7.81 billion)

Viking founder and CEO Torstein Hagen will maintain a controlling stake in the company, with 52.5% of the shares outstanding and 87% of the voting power.

“The principal purposes of this offering are to increase our capitalization and financial flexibility and to create a public market for our ordinary shares,” the company said, and it does not plan to pay a dividend.

Hagen chose a good time to go public, with the cruise industry booming. In the past year, shares are up 100% at Royal Caribbean and more than 50% at Carnival Corp.

The month of March has come and gone. In addition to heralding in Spring, March holds another exciting event for me. For us sports fans, it features March Madness. For those of you scratching your head, MM is a collegiate basketball tournament where 64 college teams compete in a “one and done” shootout where local betting is only surpassed by wagers during the Super Bowl Read the rest of this entry »

For those who have read this column before, you know I am a huge proponent of business cards and direct email marketing. Today, I am discussing why staying in touch with your clients through effective email marketing will distinguish your services from the competition. For travel professionals, crafting a targeted email campaign isn’t just about blasting supplier offers, fostering relationships, and driving bookings. Here’s some straight talk about setting up an email marketing strategy that resonates with your clientele. Read the rest of this entry »

Jerusalem — Maybe it’s because I respect war correspondents, who risk their lives to cover the story, and sometimes wish I was one. Maybe it’s because, since Covid, I appreciate the privilege of being among the first visitors to support a tourism industry in distress. Maybe it’s because my roots are here, in the only place on earth where Jews are not a minority.

Or maybe I’m just another Baby Boomer looking for a “safe adventure,” excited to push the boundaries and get my heart pumping a little, all the while knowing I really am likely to survive unscathed.