Travel Research Online | The voice of the travel agency community

“Remember that sometimes not getting what you want is a wonderful stroke of luck.” -Dalai Lama

In many ways, Thanksgiving is the greatest of holidays, a reminder of the debt of gratitude we owe to everyone and everything around us.  It is always tempting to magnify our losses and minimize the ordinary, daily miracle.  We long for big, outrageous fortunes and forget the small, mundane but truly astonishing gifts.  One day of the year, however,  is a reminder to contemplate the undeniably interdependent nature of our existence.  How amazingly special is it when a client takes the time and effort to say “Thanks”?  Being on the receiving or giving end of gratitude is a pretty special thing. Especially now.

Everything is connected. We don’t have to look far to find people and institutions deserving of our thanks. Every success we enjoy, every small achievement, is the result of an interplay of grace and circumstance.

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We in the travel industry know better than anyone that storm clouds often bring happy endings—and this year is full of them. From ships large and small, mega and charter, to all-inclusive resorts and ultra-luxury destinations of every ilk, at home and abroad and in places customers never before ventured, 2024 really has been that year we all dreamed of during The Long Pause. And indeed, at the annual conferences of Signature Travel Network in Las Vegas and Dream Vacations/Cruise One on Celebrity Ascent, I heard story after story of how that break gave travel advisors and suppliers a little respite that many used to improve their knowledge base, to plan for the future, and to build a foundation that served them well when the industry finally caught the ball and ran with it. (More on those stories in a future column.)

As the 10:45 a.m. opening session of the USTOA Annual Conference and Marketplace approached, several hundred attendees converged in an auditorium at the JW Marriott Marco Island Beach Resort, and a tentative hum grew into a roar. As people strolled in and the crowd grew in size, a palpable energy built until it became like a wild force of nature, crackling in the atmosphere. By the time Terry Dale, the CEO of the U.S. Tour Operators Association, hopped onto the stage to open the ceremonies, it was already clear why this event was one of the most exciting places to be in the travel industry and in the world at large. Read the rest of this entry »

Travel is about exploration and excitement, not enduring endless security lines. Programs like TSA PreCheck and Global Entry make the process smoother, but how do they differ, and which is best for you? Essentially, TSA PreCheck expedites security checks for domestic travelers within the U.S., allowing you to keep on shoes, belts, and light jackets while leaving laptops and liquids in your bag. Available at over 200 airports, it’s a time-saver for frequent flyers. Global Entry not only speeds up your arrival at U.S. customs but also includes TSA PreCheck, allowing you to sail through security at domestic airports. Read the rest of this entry »

With the holiday season upon us, Tauck has announced a new 2025 river cruise celebrating the traditional Christmas markets and other holiday happenings along the River Seine in France.

The Seine: Holiday Magic begins in Paris, where guests will board Tauck’s ms Sapphire riverboat and enjoy three nights and two full days in the city.

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Today’s message has little to do with travel, and a lot to do with your social status.

In not so many words, the Social Buffoon Curse sounds like this: “You think that is cool, wait until you hear what I have to say.” It shows its ugly face when one person in a group shares some good news only to be trumped by the next person’s self-directed “exciting information.” The other people in the group immediately interpret this as a sign that it is time to play “one-upmanship.” Read the rest of this entry »

KHM Travel Group began their journey as a host agency in the travel industry with a small, family-owned business. Now, they have a team of over 70 in a multi-office complex. These days they work to support over 5,000 independent home-based travel agents with unlimited support, one-on-one coaching, educational events, group travel support, and the in-house client management system called myTravelCRM. They have also offered marketing advice to Advisors mostly including boot camps and group camp events, basic marketing essentials, and regular updates via newsletters and blogs. Now, in a recent press release, they have announced an increase in what they offer in regards to marketing a travel agency. Read the rest of this entry »

As 2024 comes to a close, it’s time to reflect, recharge, and prepare for an exciting new year in travel. It’s been a year of challenges and growth for the industry, and I want to thank all of you who have followed along, shared insights, and offered valuable feedback. Your engagement inspires us to provide the best resources and support at Travel Research Online. Read the rest of this entry »

Every once in a while, even the most jaded travelers come across a delightful surprise. And if you take the time to peruse some of the “Tourism Hot-Spot” lists, you’ll come across such a surprise – Ecuador.

This country sits astride the sky-piercing spine of the Andes, and everywhere you look reveals scenes of breathtaking natural beauty, of bursting-with-color valleys, meadows and wildflowers punctuated by snow-capped peaks. But Ecuador offers even more. It’s filled with ancient Colonial cities and towns, classic architecture, and history at every turn. Read the rest of this entry »

Cabarete hardly misses a beat, even in a pouring tropical deluge.  Arrive by taxi along the main coastal road from Puerto Plata on a mid-summer day, and the route into this ever-lively resort town swiftly becomes jammed with traffic—cars, taxis, the local guaguas (mini-vans that make frequent stops), and of course the Dominican favorite, the motorbike.  As they enter the center of town, all ply their way at maximum speed along the two-lane road overburdened with the rush to development on this stretch of the Dominican Republic’s northern coastline.  Still, the spirit that keeps Cabarete pulsing and thriving remains on display along the rain-clogged main artery: surfers dodge past front fenders on their way back to the beach, an open air vendor optimistically keeps his place next to his stand selling sunglasses, blond teenagers negotiate earnestly with the owners of motoconchos, a hair-raising means of commercial motorcycle transport. Read the rest of this entry »

Our last article showcasing Costa Rica Dream Adventures included the thrill of walking along suspended bridges over the jungle forest below. And for the more adventurous there was ziplining through those jungle canopies, as well as how their safety standards for this experience are top tier.

CRDA’s customized Costa Rica trips are a traveler’s dream. But what about the support the traveler gets while indulging in the best this country has to offer? What about the travel advisor?

My first interview with Lisa Watson went great. She was easy-going and her dedication of work to the creation of FyndTravel was obvious. However, a dead computer on my end took all text and recordings with it to the scrapyard. Chaos happens, I suppose.

We tried again and, as expected, I found the conversation just as enjoyable and informative.

Lisa started our conversation by pulling up a screen share Read the rest of this entry »

In a bold stride to strengthen its dedication to advisor education and training, American Marketing Group (AMG) has grown its professional development team, focusing on delivering the exclusive benefits of its innovative programs to a broader audience. With the recent appointment of Diana Hnatov and Clare Burke, advisors affiliated with AMG’s renowned travel agency networks—TRAVELSAVERS, NEST, and The Affluent Traveler Collection—can expect significant advancements in their professional development journeys. Read the rest of this entry »

Bill Coyle has become an essential travel industry resource with over 30 years of experience leading his own brick and mortar travel agency, serving on several agent advisory boards, and advocating for travel advisors on a national level with the American Society of Travel Advisors (ASTA). His experience empowers and educates KHM Travel Group’s agents as the Vice President of Agent Engagement. As KHM Travel Group’s first-ever Limelight Award recipient for going above and beyond, Bill brings a spirited passion for travel in all his professional endeavors and continues to book travel for his longtime clients. Read the rest of this entry »

It’s difficult to imagine Abu Dhabi before oil was discovered in the 1960s. Once a small community known for fishing and pearl diving, Abu Dhabi now sprouts from the deserts and stretches to the sky with heights previously unrecorded by humans. The extreme wealth of this city has also brought luxury beyond the standard. Let’s dive into Abu Dhabi, the capital of the United Arab Emirates and UNESCO City of Music.

Perched dramatically on a mountainside in Italy’s Liguria region, the medieval village of Triora, known as the “Salem of Italy,” has embraced a haunting history of dramatic, infamous witch trials. The town’s strategic position at 780 meters above sea level made it a crucial defensive outpost during medieval times. The village’s name derives from “Tria Ora,” meaning three mouths, referring to the three gates that once protected this fortress town. Its robust walls and commanding position earned it the nickname “Keys to the Alps,” as it controlled important trade routes between the Ligurian coast and Piedmont. Read the rest of this entry »

Central Holidays has been a leader in creating remarkable travel experiences since 1972. Together with their parent company, SGI, Central Holidays has been at the forefront of delivering travel programs, value, and service across Italy, the Mediterranean, Egypt, Africa, West Asia, and Latin America. Specializing in bespoke group and individual travel, their itineraries are comprised of luxury, ultra-customization, experiential journeys, and cultural adventures that bring destinations to life in unforgettable ways.

Rainy season. Two words that are almost sure to make you rethink your holiday plans. Like Costa Rica in soggy September, when anyone visiting this small Central American country is bound to need a raincoat. So why go to a place knowing you’re likely to get drenched when you can pick other months that promise glorious sunshine?

The crowds, that’s why. I’d far rather run the risk of rain rather than face a flood of other travelers.
Over-tourism is spoiling destinations around the world, and it’s only a matter of time before Costa Rica goes the same way. Already in the high season, tickets for the most popular national parks sell out weeks in advance, long queues form at the entrances, and if someone spots a monkey or, even better, a sloth, you’ll join another queue for a mere brief moment of viewing time. Read the rest of this entry »

PRESS RELEASE FROMKHM TRAVEL GROUP

Award-winning host agency offers a new online experience to learn about becoming a travel agent

Brunswick, Ohio (December 11, 2024) – KHM Travel Group offers a comprehensive program for new and experienced travel professionals and now has a website that helps to fully showcase the benefits of partnering with this leading host agency. The modern look and refreshed content of KHMTravel.com provide a preview of the experience one can expect when joining KHM Travel Group’s growing agent community. Read the rest of this entry »

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 »