In a few short weeks, North America's biggest consumer travel and trade show will open its doors and welcome more than 29,000 travelers and industry professionals.
The New York Times Travel Show (Jan. 27-29) may seem to have a heavy focus on consumers-and it does-but that doesn't mean that travel industry pros can't benefit. Quite the contrary, as a host of seminars and networking events, will attest.
When not hearing from the more than 250 industry speakers in attendance, travel agents can meet with exhibitors during trade-only exhibition times, network with like-minded professionals and media, and mingle at exclusive industry receptions. What's more, the event boasts more than 40 destination-specific sessions, educating travel agents on such growing niches as:
Focus on Small Ship Cruising: Ocean & River. River cruising continues to grow in popularity and now, fans of small-ship cruising have several options on the high seas, as well, despite it having long been a bastion for mega-ship. Experts from the Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA), CroisiEurope, Azamara Club Cruises, Ponant Yacht Cruises & Expeditions, and Paul Gaugin Cruises will be on hand to provide agents with the latest in this lucrative cruise segment.
Focus on Cuba. Cuba is hot now, and we're not just talking about the temperatures. Thanks to loosened travel restrictions, more Americans are eligible to visit this once off-limits destination. This session provides those in attendance with the latest on what travelers can--and can't--do, popular attractions and more thanks to Cuba travel expert John McAuliff of the Cuba/US People to People Partnership, Fund for Reconciliation and Development.
[READMORE]READ MORE: Take A Vacation At The Travel Show [/READMORE]
Focus on Culinary Tourism. Forbes Magazine lists the "edible resort" as a top travel trend for 2017, referring to the farm-to-table trend that is now spreading from trendy eateries to the hospitality sector. Learn from the pros at the International Association of Culinary Professionals about how to capitalize on this increasingly popular travel niche. Travel agents will walk away not only with knowledge on the latest trends in culinary travel, but also tips they can put into practice for incorporating culinary travel elements into almost any itinerary and growing their culinary travel client base.
Focus on LGBT. While LGBT travel isn't necessarily a new niche, it remains a particularly viable one and thanks to a loyal clientele, one worthy of attention. Experts from the International Gay & Lesbian Travel Association, Greater Fort Lauderdale CVB, Marriott International and the media will share their insight into the best practices for attracting this sizable market sector, including social media strategies.
Focus on Young Travel Professionals. Many travel agents today lament the fact that it's increasingly difficult to find qualified younger travel professionals to bring on to their team. That said, while Millennials might not approach the travel planning equation in the same way as their elders, it doesn't mean that a career in travel isn't for them. This session, presented by Millennials in Travel, takes those in attendance through the steps they need to follow to attract, hire and keep the younger generation interested in travel as a career.
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