Where can you find people from Moab and Mongolia in the same place? How about Taiwan and Temecula? Ecuador and Ketchikan? If you said a Carnival Cruise, well…you might be right. But the definite answer is the LA Times Travel & Adventure Show, held each spring at the Los Angeles Convention Center and featuring over 100,000 square feet of space crawling with enthusastic tourism reps from all over the world.
In today’s economic landscape, tourism is what is keeping many countries afloat, and for a lot of places the one thing they can rely on. Support for the industry, combined with a spirit of togetherness that is tangibly prevalent within the travel community, is what makes the LA Times Travel Show such an important event. And that support is clear – with speakers like Samantha Brown, Rick Steves, Andrew McCarthy (yes, the actor – he’s a travel writer!), blogger JohnnyJet and LA Times photographer Mark Boster, the schedule was packed with passionate people who have built their livelihoods around exposing travel and tourism to the global audience.
The LA Convention Center’s West Hall organized exhibitors’ booths left to right – domestic travel moving to international, arranged alphabetically inside of those categories. I was surprised and impressed to see tourism boards and travel companies from all over the U.S. in such multitude. At least half the states in the country had booths (Alaska and pals stretched almost half an aisle) and California destinations covered every attraction from San Diego to the redwoods. Granted, it is easier and less expensive for a U.S. company to participate in the show since it is here in LA, but nevertheless I was pleased to see our strength of presence on such a prominent, visible stage. Often times we think that exotic, interesting, multicultural or immersion travel cannot happen unless we cross our borders, fly overseas or trek through a jungle. Exploring the country we live in – which is so wonderfully diverse in every way imaginable – is vital not only to understanding and appreciating our home but also to supporting our own economy.

Alaska Represents!
So what would an adventure show be without a few action spots? Attendees could climb a 2-story rock wall (hosted by Tenaya Lodge at Yosemite), zipline across the length of the West Hall (thanks to the tourism reps for Ecuador), scuba dive with Malibu Diving (splashing everyone within a 10-foot radius of the pool) or learn to Bollywood dance, as some of the travel media did at Friday’s press preview.

next stop - Travel Bloggers Dancing with the Stars?
The “Global Stage” featured music and dance acts – and Maui’s booth got into the spirit with a luau (minus the mai tais – booo). And what did California Tourism have? Pirates. (gotta be honest, I’m not sure I get that one)

aloha!

gimme a break, that sword was REAL
But the best fun was soaking it all in – walking around, meeting people from Nepal, Morocco, Nicaragua, Israel, Tahiti, Greece and even my own backyard – Mammoth, Santa Ynez, Big Bear Lake. Cruise lines like Oceania and Silversea, tour companies like Tauck and Adventure Consultants and vendors like Mahatma Rice (free tastings!) and Distant Lands bookstores (hawking Rick Steves stuff). Feeling inspired from all this visual stimulus? AAA manned a massive piece of floorspace with dozens of travel agents ready to help you plan a trip anywhere in the world, right then and there.

why wait? plan now!
Airlines, railway lines, eco tour guide companies – all were there to share their products and destinations. It seemed almost every booth was giving away a dream trip or exotic vacation, and though I fear the junk mail coming my way for all I entered, who cares? It was an unbeatable experience. Everyone was friendly and excited; there were no sales pitches, no pushy attitudes, just travel professionals and passionate attendees asking questions, learning, visiting and interacting. If only this were the model for the real world stage! It was exhilarating and heartwarming to see the passion for tourism – the thirst of so many to see beyond borders and step outside of the proverbial box.
I walked away with a bag stuffed to the brim with brochures, business cards, tour books and guidebooks. I also left with a newfound respect for the travel industry and the people who patronize it. Up until now I had focused so much on the blogging community’s interest I had almost forgotten that the rest of the world also craves experience, authenticity and the moments of wonder that come with seeing new places. Whether its driving to Wyoming or trekking through Tibet, the market for tourism is burgeoning with opportunities to really live on this planet of ours. Now if you’ll excuse me – I have a LOT of reading (and trip-planning….) to catch up on. Cheers, adventurers :)