This past weekend, I attended the New York Times Travel Show 2015 at the Javits Center in New York City.  I’ve now attended the show in all three categories – consumer, travel industry and this year I was provided a press pass.  Both the industry day (Friday) and consumer days (Saturday/Sunday) feature educational sessions and trade show time with vendors, entertainment and food demonstrations. Having attended business travel conferences/trade shows in the past, I’m always interested to see how the consumer/leisure side is handled. I tend to agree/ disagree with some presenters but that’s what makes it so interesting. So here are my highlights from the Friday Industry day and the Saturday Consumer day.  If you attended the show, let me know what you liked/didn’t like in the comments below.

 Memorable Quotes at the New York Times Travel Show

Scott Clifton of Celebrity Cruises “You won’t remember one thing, you’ll remember it all on Celebrity”

Peter Greenberg in talking about the airlines “We’re not happy until you’re not happy” – we laughed because sadly it’s true.

Travel Agent, Sue Sharpiro on packing “No one is looking at your bottom so bring two pair of black pants and six tops”

Travel Tips for Women at the New York Times Travel Show

When I approached the seminar room, I could hear the dance music “I’m Every Woman” as a bag and book of tips was handed to me.  This was the Global Travel Tips for Women session with a panel of experts sponsored by Gutsy Women Travels, a travel tour group for women. Gutsy Women cited a stat that 55% of women over 40 are single, divorced, widowed, etc. and many are traveling (or wanting to). Travel Agent Sue Shapiro opened her tips with “No One is Looking at Your Bottom, so bring two pair of black pants and six tops”.  The room laughed at this and I agreed it was a good tip.  Many of the other tips offered by the group were great for first time travelers and good reminders for seasoned travelers (we had some men in the audience and the tips were pretty much applicable to all).  Just Go!  Be adaptable, open-minded and immerse yourself in the culture, a few others:

• Make a color copy of your passport (I do this)
• Take the Hotel Business Card especially in places that don’t speak English so you can show the taxi driver (I do this)
• Give a detailed copy of your itinerary to someone at home (I do this)
• Her “bring paper underwear to use/throw away” story was hilarious when the Asian housekeeper ran out to see who forgot their underwear – she didn’t raise her hand on that one.  (I don’t do this)

Ditch the Brochures at the New York Times Travel Show

Travel expert and CBS media personality, Peter Greenberg, always provides an honest look at travel in a fun way.  This year, at his consumer session he said “don’t look at the brochures” citing the unrealistic people and the many words ending in “est” as in greatest, prettiest, etc. so talk to travel agent experts in the destination to get the real story.  Real People doing real things for experiences. He had advocated using a travel agent for years as not all deals are available online.  I agree with him on using destination specialist agents – I used Rhino Africa, who I met at a past New York Times Travel Show to help plan my Africa trip.

Peter also said to “be a contrarian traveler” – rather than Iceland (I loved Iceland), look at the Faroe Islands, in Australia seek out Tasmania (even the Aussies don’t visit) and “go where the dollar is strong like Argentina”.  His advice seems most practical and as a corporate travel manager, I agree that the travel distribution channels are changing (for better/worse) and that authentic experiences are harder to find so go “BKFC” which means go before Kentucky Fried Chicken shows up (he knows how to play a room for laughs).

Luxury in the Sky (for when I hit Powerball) at the New York Times Travel Show

I was surprised to see a business travel showroom demo of Etihad’s Residence and First Apartment.  I was intrigued by the A380 Residence having read reviews of the recent inaugural flight from Abu Dhabi to London.  The private space has a door, living area, bathroom with walk in shower and a bedroom.  If that wasn’t luxury enough, don’t forget that you have your own private butler who has trained in London at the Savoy to attend to your needs during the flight.  It was definitely a dream of champagne wishes (and lottery wins) to think about considering most of us are in coach (or business if you’ve redeemed points).

Foody the Mascot

In print, “Foody” is cute, in the mascot form, all five feet of him, it’s a bit odd (I didn’t take a photo).  Foody is the official mascot of Milan’s Expo 2015 (formerly known as the World Fair) which starts in May.  The theme of the Expo is Feeding the Planet, Energy for Life looking at sustainability, technology and nutrition from the countries participating around the world.  The U.S. will showcase our regional foods with food truck nation and given that the event lasts for 184 days, the foods exhibited will change.  What a great way to tour the world by its food, learn about advancements in feeding the planet and all in one venue.  Milan is the place to be this year.

Where To Go? New York Travel Show Expert Predictions

I always find it odd that the New York Times will published its “52 Places to Go in 2015” list and then not showcase those places at the Travel Show.  Philadelphia was listed third (woohoo!) and yet Visit Philly was not at the show.  I guess they want to remain neutral in the vendor selection?  Anyway, the various presenters gave their list for 2015 of places to go/emerging destinations  – I agree that they will definitely provide that immersive unique experience people are looking for but I wonder if they are anywhere on the average travelers list – are they on your radar this year? Many are on mine!

Julia Dimon’s Emerging Destinations: Slovenia, Cuba, Sri Lanka, Mexico and Nicaragua

Peter Greenberg’s Destinations: 

Slovenia, Tasmania, Faroe Islands (Solar Eclipse on March 20th), Cuba (he believes cruise ships will visit first before the U.S. Airlines and he would be right!), Jordan and then Egypt which needs travelers to return (at Luxor of the 250 boats, only 4 were operating on his recent visit)

Gutsy Women Destinations that are Hot (aka Sold Out Tours): Costa Rica, Morocco, Peru, Galapagos, River Cruises and Safari

The Frommer’s (Arthur and Pauline): Argentina, Austria, South Dakota, Yellowstone National Park and London

The Industry Panel of Experts: 

AMEX: Myanmar and Nicaragua

Google: Micro destinations

Fodor’s: Chile

 Wendy Perrin: Cuba, Vietnam and Columbia

So these are my highlights of “What’s New in Travel” from the New York Travel Show 2015.  Where will you go this year?