The only major travel show of its kind offered programming for travel trade and consumers alike at the Javits Center in New York City, Friday, October 28 to Sunday, October 30, 2022
NEW YORK, NY – November 16, 2022 – The International Travel Show held from Friday, October 28 through Sunday, October 30, 2022 drew 7,142 attendees for three days of lively programming, exhibitions, and insightful industry observation focused on “The Future of Travel” last week at the Jacob K. Javits Center in New York City. Final attendance numbers revealed that the attendance included 3,890 travel professionals, 424 travel media, and 2,828 consumer travelers experienced the event. The event is currently the only major trade and consumer travel show of its kind in the U.S. The show offered an exciting lineup of 166 experienced speakers in 49 seminars across three days. The Conference Chairman was James Shillinglaw, Editor in Chief of Insider Travel Report, and the Presenting Sponsor was Travel + Leisure Go.
Highlights from the International Travel Show
- Comments from Attendees – … a terrific event … NYITS has a good foundation for years to come … amazing show where travel professionals, travel enthusiasts and travel lovers came together to be inspired by their next destination … epic travel trade day at NYITS. Great to reconnect with old friends, make new ones and spend the evening with my APTA friends.
- Comments from Exhibitors – We are happy to be here again after 2020 … coming back to NYITS is great for us, Rafael Luisi, Chief of the Special Advisory for International Relations of Ministry of Tourism of Brazil ● Fantastic show … great feedback from trade and consumer attendees … groups booked at this show & hope to exhibit again next year, Defika Sooknauth, Business Development Manager, Sandos Hotels & Resorts ● nyITS has been a great way for Hurtigruten to get some brand recognition in the New York area and to meet travel advisors and consumers. Becky Helms, U.S. Sales Director,Hurtigruten Expeditions ● Met trade marketing professionals, press and content creators and promoted Celebrity Cruises brand to consumers interested in cruises. Holly Gomes, Sales Manager, Celebrity Cruises ● Thank you for the excellent opportunity to connect with tri-state area travel advisors, Christopher Cestari, Business Relationship Lead, Explora Journeys ● The inaugural New York International Show was a “Winner” and our product was warmly embraced by both trade and consumers. John C. Graham, President, Travel World VR.
- Exhibitors – The Exhibition Hall at the Javits Center was filled with destinations from around the world and included 150 exhibiting companies from over 170 countries. Exhibitor displays were arranged by nine Region and Country Pavilions for easy access by attendees. Also located in the Exhibition Hall were three presentation Theaters including two Cultural Theaters for authentic cultural performances by exhibiting countries, and the popular Taste of the World Theater with chefs from around the world cooking up distinctive culinary dishes.
- Trade Day – While travel professionals and media were welcome for all three days of the International Travel Show, the first day was reserved exclusively for travel professionals and travel media. Travel professionals attended 22 “trade-only” conference sessions led by more than 100 industry experts in seven “tracks” including Cruise, Destinations, Hotels & Resorts, Luxury Travel, Resources, Travel Writers and Tours. A special feature of the Conference was the Keynote Interview and Panel with five industry leaders presenting their views on the Future Of Travel (see details below). The Official Opening Ceremony opened the Exhibition Hall, and provided an opportunity for travel professionals to meet over 150 exhibiting companies offering destinations organized by Pavilions including the Caribbean, Europe, Africa, Asia, Central & South America, USA, Florida, New York and Cruise. An additional Exhibition feature included a Spotlight On New York Pavilion highlighting destinations and attractions from across New York City and throughout New York State. Trade Day concluded with a Travel Industry Reception at the Taste of the World Theater.
- Keynote Interview & Panel – The ITS Keynote started with an exclusive interview of Pierfrancesco Vago, Executive Chairman of MSC Cruises by James Shillinglaw, Conference Chair and editor in chief of Insider Travel Report. James then led the opening day panel discussion of key issues and an examination of “What’s the Future of Travel: Marrying Sustainability and Profitability”, with panelists including 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 of the United States Tour Operators Association.
- Consumer Days – The second and third days of the International Travel Show were designed to meet the needs of consumer travelers who met with destinations around the world and enjoyed programming created to inform, entertain, and excite travelers of all ages and interests. Fun and informative programming included the Taste Of The World Theater 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 dishes. Also featured were two Cultural Theaters for exhibitors to present authentic and exciting cultural performances, including presentations by Ghana Tourism, Jamaica Tourism and Brazil Tourism. Additional highlights included prizes and travel deals from dozens of exhibiting companies, and a charity auction by the Caribbean Hotel & Tourism Association Education Foundation with Caribbean hotel vacations going to the highest bidders and proceeds funding scholarships and training for Caribbean hospitality industry professionals. Multiple travel seminars covering the essentials of travel planning were available to consumers as well as a Meet The Experts track with topics covered by well-respected industry observers.
- Government Resources Center – A popular stop for trade and consumer, the Government Resources Center sponsored by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) presented a timesaving opportunity for attendees to enroll in the TSA PreCheck Program.
- Travel Personalities on the Podium – The International Travel Show heard from 166 speakers who provided a wealth of insights on The Future of Travel and more. Among travel experts to captivate attendees were Pierfrancesco Vago, Executive Chairman of the Cruise Division of MSC Group; Iván Esklidsen, Minister of Tourism, Panama; Shannon Guihan, Chief Sustainability Officer and Head of the TreadRight Foundation; Asta Lassesen, CEO of Hurtigruten Expeditions; Terry Dale, President of the United States Tour Operators Association; Pauline Frommer, President of Frommer’s Travel Guides and Frommers.com; Patricia Schultz, author of NYT #1 bestselling 1000 Places To See Before You Die; Darley Newman, Travel TV host; Denella Ri’chard, award-winning host of Traveling with Denella; Petra Roach, CEO of Grenada Tourist Board; and representatives from many leading travel companies.
- International Travel Show Sponsors – Presenting Sponsor Travel + Leisure Go was joined by major Sponsors including MSC Cruises, Brazilian Tourist Board and I Love New York, as well as Travel Industry Sponsors, Insider Travel Report, Adventure Travel Trade Association (ATTA), American Society of Travel Advisors (ASTA), African Tourism Association (ATA), Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO), Caribbean Hotel & Tourism Association Education Foundation (CHTAEF), Destinations International (DI), Family Travel Association (FTA), NYC & Company, Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA NY), SKAL USA (SKAL), Tourism Cares, Society of American Travel Writers (SATW) and United States Tour Operators Association (USTOA).
- International Travel Show 2023 – dates for the ITS2023 have been announced as October 27-29, 2023 and will take place again at the Javits Center, New York.
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. For more information, visit www.nyInternationalTravelShow.com
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. Start your journey atgo.travelandleisure.com.