"The 2008 Travel Show is even bigger and better this year, offering thousands of extraordinary opportunities for great trips anywhere in the world," said Alyse Myers, vice president, brand programs, The New York Times. "There is something for everyone in every age group and every budget, whether it is a trip for family fun, an adventure trek or a dream luxury vacation."
The show features discounts and entertainment for families, singles, couples and seniors, including:
* Exclusive Travel Discounts. The New York Times Travel Show offers vacation discounts and travel packages from over 500 sponsors and exhibitors.
* WNBC / WNJU-TV Stage featuring International Dance and Live Music on the Hudson. Enjoy entertainment and special live performances from around the world including dance, musicians, live animals and performances from some of the theater's biggest hits.
* The Travel Channel Theater. Watch sneak previews of upcoming episodes and get travel advice from the stars of your favorite Travel Channel programs including Andrew Zimmern, host of "Bizarre Foods" and Ian Wright, host of "America the Wright Way."
* Taste of the World Pavilion. A&E International Network's Doug Duda, of "The Well-Seasoned Traveler," hosts a weekend of tastings and tips for the culinary traveler. Star chefs, writers, sommeliers, wine makers and culinary guides take our audience on a delicious journey, featuring demonstrations and samples of their favorite food and drink adventures. This year, visitors to the pavilion will have the opportunity to meet one-on-one with our presenters and enjoy a taste of their travels at The Tasting Table. Admission to the Taste of the World area is free with your Travel Show ticket.
Featured on this year's Taste of the World stage:
Dominique Ansel , the executive pastry chef of Daniel, will speak about pastry and chocolate competitions and displays (including the white chocolate couture wedding dress he made with fashion designer Heidi Weisel);
Eric Asimov, New York Times wine critic, shares his best kept secrets in wine travel;
Dan Barber, the award-winning chef of Blue Hill gives a backstage look at Stone Barns;
Rick Bayless, host of "Mexico - One Plate at a Time," provides a guided culinary tour of Mexico, and Daisy Martinez (both PBS star chefs) demonstrates how to recreate the taste of Puerto Rico for family and friends in New York;
Colin Cowie, author and world renowned taste maker, discusses South African wine country adventures, featuring the famed Ken Forrester Vineyards ;
Jeff Tenner, star chef from Legal Sea Foods, stages a live cooking competition;
Myron Mixon, Memphis-In-May World Barbecue Champion offers tastings from his famous barbecue school;
Francine Segan, author of "The Opera Lover's Cookbook," provides her personal guide to Italy for chocolate lovers;
Suvir Saran, author of "American Masala" and chef owner of the restaurant Devi surveys the wide range of Indian regional cuisines ;
Carolin Young, culinary historian, and Peter Miller, art historian, host a virtual walking tour into the belly of Paris;
Peter Kaminsky, New York Times columnist and cookbook author, shares secrets of a Patagonian grill master from Argentina's most celebrated chef, Francis Mallmann.
* The Spa Pavilion. The Spa Pavilion will present exhibitors from spa resorts around the globe with on-site treatments and exclusive discounts and packages for visitors to the Travel Show. The Spa Pavilion is sponsored by SpaFinder.
* Weddings and Honeymoon Pavilion. Booking your dream wedding or honeymoon? Visit this new pavilion sponsored by The Knot and discover the latest trends in destination weddings and honeymoons.
* GLBT Travel Pavilion. PlanetOut Inc. sponsors this pavilion catering to gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender travelers. Learn about the hottest destinations and the best way to get there for GLBT singles, couples and families.
* Wild Survivors. A baby kangaroo, penguins, a six-foot alligator, a python, a lemur and other exotic animals take center stage when SeaWorld and Busch Gardens present "Wild Survivors." Animal ambassador Julie Scardina introduces a variety of furry, feathered and fanged creatures to travel show attendees.
* Travel Seminars with the Experts. Want to learn about the hottest vacation spots? Where are the best international vacation spots for family travel? What makes for the most exciting and affordable weekend getaways? These are just some of the topics that will be covered in more than 25 consumer seminars held throughout the weekend. Speakers will include Arthur and Pauline Frommer, Rick Steves, Globe Trekker Megan McCormick, NY1's Valarie D'Elia and PBS Travelscope's Joseph Rosendo.
* Travel and International Shopping Tips from Stephanie Abrams. Learn where the best places are to find the products you love, from leather to linens, to porcelain to sapphires. Abrams will also offer a special presentation focused on visits to the historic castles, abbeys and homes of France and Ireland.
* Book Signings with Leading Travel Authors. Borders will host an on-site bookstore where you can purchase some of the latest travel guides, meet authors, ask for travel advice or get an autographed book.
The 2008 Travel Show will launch with a Trade Day for industry professionals on Feb. 29, offering seminars, workshops and a preview of the show floor, followed by an industry reception on the floor. Trade Day is supported by leaders of the travel industry, including the American Society of Travel Agents and Performance Media Group, producers of ModernAgent, Agent@Home and Vacation Agent Magazines.
Admission to the show is $15, with a $5 discount if tickets are purchased with an American Express Card. Children under 18 are admitted free. Show hours are Saturday, March 1, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., and Sunday, March 2, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. For advance ticket purchase, a list of exhibitors and locations for discounted restaurants and parking, please visit www.nytimes.com/travelshow
My PRESS credentials came through so I will be covering the show for Gather, EDGE Publications and TravelLady.com
Presently I have an interview scheduled with Ed Salvado, the head of PlanetOUT, and appointments to meet with the Tourism offices of Macau, Spain, and Ulster County --
And who knows what trouble I'll get in at the Taste of the World pavilion!
See you there!
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Comments: 26
Richard, your article is a Feature in the Triple Name Club.
Seriously, thanks. I'm hoping for plenty of fodder, and many names of tourism people for my files. The Tourism office hopes I'll have broader markets for my articles about them (I wouldn't mind that either!) It does sound like fun, too.