As you flip through the Sunday travel section, you see an ad for a travel show. It promises fun, prizes, cultural performances and more, but there’s an admission fee. Is it worth your time and money to attend? Will you enjoy the experience, or will you discover that the exhibit floor is just a bunch of tables with brochures on them? To find out whether a travel show is worth a visit, let's take a closer look at the travel show experience.
Travel Show Overview
The typical travel show is held in a convention center or other large exhibit hall. You will, indeed, find rows and rows of tables, typically arranged by geographic region or type of travel, such as winter sports or cruises. Around the perimeter of the exhibit space, you can find theaters and stages for guest speakers and cultural performers. Many travel shows offer hands-on experiences, such as Segway demonstrations, rock wall climbing and even scuba diving.
Many people go to travel shows to hear the keynote speakers. You can attend presentations by guidebook authors, adventure travel specialists and industry professionals. At some travel shows, keynote speakers will give autographs or sign copies of their books. Big-city travel shows feature well-known travel writers and media personalities such as Rick Steves, Johnny Jet, Arthur Frommer and Andrew Zimmern.
Travel show ticket prices range from $5 to $15 per day. Your ticket will admit you to all the travel seminars, keynote addresses and cultural performances. You’ll also need to bring money for transportation, parking and meals.
Pros and Cons of Travel Shows
As Travel Channel’s “Bizarre Foods” host Andrew Zimmern remarked at the 2008 Washington, D.C. Adventures in Travel Expo, “One man’s weird is another man’s wonderful.” This holds true for travel shows as well as unusual menu items. Each travel show is a unique event, but travel shows, in general, have some common features, both positive and negative. Let’s take a closer look.
Pros- Information. Travel shows offer “one stop shopping” for vacation information. You’ll be able to ask all kinds of questions about destinations, highways and best times to visit. Travel professionals are eager to share their knowledge with you.
- Goodies and prizes. Giveaways and freebies are everywhere. Many travel companies hold drawings for travel-related prizes. You’ll come home with a bag full of fascinating, funky items. Items on offer at the 2008 Washington, D.C. Adventures in Travel Expo, for example, included Korean fans, hand sanitizer, pirate hats, and Crick-ettes – seasoned snacks made from, well, crickets.
- Activities. There’s always something happening at a travel show. The cultural performances include dance groups from around the world, music you might not hear anywhere else, stilt walkers, puppeteers and more. You can have your photo taken, try out a Segway, ride a zip line and learn to SCUBA dive (blow dryers are provided).
- Cost. Travel shows aren’t free. You will have to spend some money to get there, buy a ticket and eat.
- Distance. If you live in a rural area, you might have to travel a long way to attend a travel show. Most travel shows take place in large cities.
- Marketing. Exhibitors are there to promote their country or region or to sell you travel services. To get the inside scoop on a destination you’re considering, you’ll still need to read books, visit websites and talk with people who’ve been there.
Tips for Making the Most of Your Travel Show Experience
- Visit the show’s website. You’ll be able to see the list of exhibitors, performers and speakers; this will help you decide whether you should attend.
- Buy advance tickets. Some travel shows offer discounts on tickets purchased online.
- Arrive early. Each exhibitor has a limited number of freebies, travel planners and brochures to give away.
- Eat before you arrive. Convention center food is typically mediocre and expensive. Consider filling up on a hearty breakfast at a nearby restaurant.
- Wear comfortable shoes. You’ll be on your feet all day.
- Bring a rolling bag. Travel brochures are large, colorful and heavy, especially when you’re carrying ten of them. Do your shoulder muscles a favor and grab a backpack on wheels.
- Get your seats early. Well-known speakers attract standing-room only crowds. Find the theater before the hordes arrive and choose a chair with a good view. Read travel brochures while you wait.
The Bottom Line
If you love travel or want to experience the world without spending much money, you will probably enjoy a day at a travel show.
