Need ideas for your next family vacation or your fantasy trip? Want to learn about religious travel, gay travel and how to save money while traveling? Attend a travel show near you.
I have been to the NY Times Travel Show for 4 of the past 5 years. Each year is slightly different and each year, I am inspired to see more of the world.
This time, there was more online presence than years past with GoNomad and Travel Daddy exhibiting. Greece had the largest booth and wonderful dancers from Cypress.
The Dominican Republic attracted a crowd with their food samples and hand rolled cigars that they made and gave away.
You will discover new places to tour like Latvia and Estonia, travel gear to pack and phones that save you money abroad. There were several conferences offered with travel experts and authors sharing their experience.
Most travel shows are at least 2 days, which you will need if you want to see everything. To get the most out of a show:
- Check online for ticket discounts
- Choose your conferences ahead of time and arrive early to get a seat
- Pack a snack and water
- Bring a comfortable bag to carry all the promotional material you will collect
- Wear comfortable shoes
- Have a rating system and mark the promo material so you know what you want to investigate further and what will get filed for later
- Bring your credit card because exhibitors run travel show-only special rates
- If "traveling" the show with a friend, divide and conquer to see everything
The most unique exhibit at the Show this year was the 'Be A Diver' tank, filled with water and 2 divers to promote their services around the world. There was a lot more attention on family travel at the NY Times Travel Show than in years past and the most inspiring destinations that I will research further are Belize and Panama.
A travel show is like a one day trip around the world - the optimal staycation.
