‘Round the World at The NY Times Travel Show

ByThe Open Suitcase

Feeling the winter blues? The easiest way to escape is via a travel show. These industry-sponsored events are held in cities throughout the US during the dead of winter. Attending is one way to combat SAD. Another is pinot.

The Lady from CuraçaoOne of the biggest is the NY Times Travel Show. The weekend features presentations by big names in the travel business such as Pauline and Arthur Frommer, Peter Greenberg, Julia Dimon and Adam Richman. The Javits Convention Center is filled with hundreds of promotional booths. You will acquire several bags full of brochures and lots of chip clips, pens and paper fans. I spent much of my day last year chatting with the young ladies promoting France’s Languedoc region. They were quite charming, primarily because they did not mock my pigeon French to my face.

Not that you asked, but here are a couple of tips, if you’re attending:

  • Do not wear a coat. I know it’s January, but it gets really warm in the convention center and the line for the coat check is outrageous.
  • Never fill out the sweepstakes entries. You will get cellularly spammed 24/7.
  • Go with a plan. Pick one or two destinations and focus your attention on those booths. If you want to plan a trip to Costa Rica, don’t spend your time at the Delaware table.

The New York Times Travel Show, January 23-25, Jacob Javits Convention Center. Admission: $17, children under 18 are FREE. 

Beautiful Asian parasols