BY: Liliana Rocio, Senior Editor for World Liberty TV

With a ceremonial slice of a ribbon at the stroke of 2pm, the International Travel Show opened today at the Javits Convention Center in New York City, welcoming travel trade and anticipating consumers to discover “The Future of Travel” over three days of lively programming through Sunday, October 30, 2022.

The successor of The New York Times Travel Show and currently the only major travel show of its kind, the International Travel Show is examining critical changes in technology, sustainability, and responsible tourism that are drawing a new generation of travelers, while dazzling attendees of all ages and interests with an engaging schedule of presentations, entertainment, information, and fun.

With more than a dozen sponsors led by Presenting Sponsor Travel + Leisure Go, the International Travel Show has drawn support from throughout the travel industry. Members of the travel trade were being rewarded with exclusive access on the first day of the show, with opportunity to peruse hundreds of destinations organized by Exhibition Pavilions including the Caribbean, Europe, Africa, Asia, Central & South America, USA, Florida, and Cruise, as well as a special “Spotlight On New York” pavilion featuring destinations and attractions across New York City and throughout New York State. The opening day’s wealth of programming further offered multiple “tracks” and 22 “trade-only sessions,” including:

The Cruise Track with panels of cruise industry experts weighing in on how to sell the right ship to the right client, small ship and expedition cruising, and river cruising in Europe and beyond.

The Destination Track with top destination leaders offering timely sales strategies for Europe, Latin America, the Middle East and Africa, and the Caribbean, Bahamas and Bermuda. The Luxury Track with top tour executives enlightening trade on the “New Breed of Tours” and “How to Sell Luxury Travel Today”.

The Hotels & Resorts Track with sales strategies for all-inclusive resorts in the face of growing product options, and for luxury properties at a time of rising costs. The Resources Track with an expert panel detailing how to prepare clients for travel in an ever-evolving world.

Another highlight of Travel Industry Conference Program was the Keynote Panel of industry leaders addressing key issues and examining “What’s the Future of Travel: Marrying Sustainability and Profitability”. Keynote panelists included Ivan Eskildsen, Ministry of Tourism of Panama; Pierfrancesco Vago, Executive Chairman of MSC Cruises; Shannon Guihan, Chief Sustainability Officer and Head of the TreadRight Foundation; Asta Lassesen, CEO of Hurtigruten Expeditions; and Terry Dale, President and CEO of U.S. Tour Operators Association.

Mr. Vago also participated in a Keynote Interview, with MSC Cruises, one of the leaders in developing sustainable cruising around the world, soon to debut sailings out of New York City.

The public was also invited to explore the International Travel Show, with Saturday, October 29, and Sunday, October 30, open to attendance by consumers and trade alike. While the exhibition floor will feature representatives from destinations around the world throughout the show, the weekend will offer programming to inform, entertain, and excite travelers of all ages and interests.

Scheduled presentations include the Taste of the World Theatre presented by Doug Duda, host of the A&E International TV series The Well-Seasoned Traveler, with chefs from around the world cooking up culinary presentations, as well as two Cultural Stages on the show floor with exhibiting countries presenting authentic and exciting cultural performances from across the globe.

The annual charity auction of the Caribbean Hotel & Tourism Association Education Foundation will be a highlight, offering attendees opportunity to bid on dozens of Caribbean hotel vacations with proceeds going to fund scholarships and training for Caribbean hospitality industry professionals. There will also be prizes and travel deals from dozens of exhibiting companies.

Multiple travel seminars will engage and inform consumers on the essentials of travel planning. Speakers will include travel experts Pauline Frommer, Patricia Schultz, Darley Newman, Nancy Barkley, Denella Ri’chard, Bob Guccione, Zita Keeley, and representatives from leading travel companies. Seminars include: Keynote Panel Sessions with advice on “How Top Travel Experts See Travel in 2023”.

The Cruise Track with presentations on everything from “How to Choose the Right Cruise” to “How to Experience the Hottest New Expedition Cruises.”

The Meet the Experts Track with recognized travel experts covering “Exploring the World of Wellness Travel,” “Where to Honeymoon and Wed Around the World” and more.

The Traveling Better Track with valuable insights on “How to Find the Best Vacation Ownership Home,” “What You Need to Know About Flying Today,” and more. The Destinations Track pointing where to travel and how, including “Where to Go in the Caribbean,” “Where to Go Now in Europe,” and “How to Discover the Middle East and Africa.”

The Resorts Track offering a peek at new hotels and resorts in sessions such as “What to Look for in a Luxury Hotel” and “How to Pick the Perfect All-Inclusive.” The Government Resources Center, sponsored by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), will also be a must-visit for consumers, with a timesaving opportunity for all attendees to enroll in the TSA Pre Check Program just by attending the International Travel Show.

About the International Travel Show: The International Travel Show (ITS2022), with presenting sponsor Travel + Leisure GO, is a world-class travel industry trade and consumer travel event in New York City featuring educational seminars and activations, and a major exhibition with cultural and regional pavilions showcasing hundreds of travel companies and destinations from around the world. ITS2022 brings together the travel industry to address issues that are key to the future of travel and tourism, provide educational and informational seminars to travel professionals and the traveling public and serve as a platform for emerging solutions for the global tourism marketplace.

About Travel + Leisure GO: Travel + Leisure GO is the must-have subscription travel club for adventure-seekers and savvy travelers. This members-only travel club provides exclusive travel deals, unforgettable experiences and expert advice, all from the most trusted authority in travel. The club offers savings on resorts, hotels, car rentals, flights, cruises, activities and so much more.

Travel the World on the Convention Center Floor. The three-day event, which has attracted a range of industry sponsors led by presenting sponsor Travel + Leisure, will fill the floors of the Convention Center with exhibitions by established and upstart industry players alike. Attendees will find exhibitors from every corner of the planet and displays including performances, demonstrations, interactivities, and flavors & fun.

Among presentations to hotly anticipate are the Tastes of the World Theatre and Pavilion presented by Doug Duda, host of the A&E International TV series The Well-Seasoned Traveler; the Family Travel Association’s Family Travel Pavilion, with an interactive look at what the industry is offering families and engaging features to keep kids entertained while their parents plan; the LGBTQ+ Pavilion with dozens of tourism brands offering trip-planning inspirations, experiences, packages and more for the enjoyment and safety of LGBTQ travelers;  and the annual charity auction of the Caribbean Hotel & Tourism Association Education Foundation, with opportunity to bid on dozens of Caribbean hotel vacations with proceeds going to fund scholarships and training for Caribbean hospitality industry professionals. There will also be three Cultural Stages on the show floor, with exciting cultural performances from music to dance and more by performers from exhibiting countries.

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