Takeaways from the 2020 New York Times Travel Show
The New York Times Travel Show just wrapped up and I’m ready to talk about it!
This is the second time I’ve attended the New York Times Travel Show and both years I’ve enjoyed the conversations that it sparks. If you don’t know, this is the “largest trade and consumer travel show in North America.” Each year, thousands of people from all different parts of the travel community gather in NYC‘s Javits Convention Center for a weekend of discovery, conversation, and inspiration.
The convention includes a floor with international booths, cooking demonstrations, and cultural performances. But my favorite parts are the travel seminars held downstairs. These seminars feature travel writers and other experts sharing their experiences on various topics.
This year, I attended the following seminars:
So You Think You Know Paris?
52 Places to Travel With Sebastian Modak
Ten High-Impact Ways to Save Money on Travel in 2020
15 Ways to Travel Sustainably Without Spending a Fortune
The Cultural Traveler – Exploring America
How to Travel to Cuba in 2020
Each seminar covered a different topic, but I noticed they all tried to address the same question: Why do you travel?
It’s one of those questions that I think about. But it’s not always something I dwell on. But during the weekend, I really had the chance to learn and examine exactly why I, and others in the larger community, travel.
“We Travel for People”
Many of you are probably familiar with the expert travel blogger Nomadic Matt. Although his presentation Ten High-Impact Ways to Save Money on Travel in 2020 was mainly focused on budget travel tips, it also centered on the reason we travel. As he said during his presentation, “we travel for people.”
This quote came up when he was discussing the benefits of staying in hostels. We all know these are a cheap accommodation option, but they also are a chance to meet other travelers. And at the end of the day, travel is about connecting with other people.
For too long, travel has been about going to a place, seeing the iconic landmark, getting a picture, and checking it off your list. Trust me, I’m guilty of this. But when I think back to the trips that really stick out in my mind and the memories I’ve made when I travel, it’s the people that make or break a trip.
One of the best parts of travel is the exchange of ideas. You get the chance to immerse yourself in a new culture and experience something from a different point of view. But it’s pretty hard to do this if you aren’t willing to connect with other people.
“Look for a Story”
Sebastian Modak spent 2019 traveling to each of the destinations on the New York Times list of 52 Places to Go. Along the way, he wrote a weekly column for the NYT.
During his presentation at the travel show, Sebastian Modak talked about what he learned during his travels. He stressed the importance of connecting with people and being willing to throw your plans out of the window.
He also questioned the reason why we travel. Like so many other speakers over the weekend, Sebastian pleaded for an end to the bucket list. Instead of going to a place to check it off, he said to “look for a story.” Everywhere has something to offer if you look hard enough.
His message was to stay curious. Don’t let an itinerary or a bucket list guide you. Instead, be open to the ups and downs of travel. Meet people and be open-minded. You will be rewarded with experiences you would never have if you only follow a guide book.
“Go Where They Ain’t”
Seth Kugel, Journalist and previous New York Times Frugal Traveler, gave the presentation 15 Ways to Travel Sustainably Without Spending a Fortune.
Again, this presentation wasn’t only focused on why we travel. But that question was woven into each of his 15 tips. One of his suggestions was to “Go Where They Ain’t” meaning that less-touristed spots are cheaper to visit.
It’s another message about throwing away the idea of a bucket list.
Less touristed spots are cheaper to visit and more authentic. You can meet locals and learn about their daily lives instead of visiting places that were designed to funnel tourists in and out.
I’m not going to lie, this concept is hard. I’ve been to countless bucket-list type places. There are still so many world landmarks that I’d love to see. But I think the conversation is extremely important. It’s time to think about what happens to a community when we go in, see one site, and leave. What impact are we having with our travels? I’m nowhere near perfect with this, but I want to work towards being a more sustainable traveler and being aware of how my travels affect the environment and community.
“Connect with the Community”
The Cultural Traveler is a magazine from the U.S. Cultural & Heritage Marketing Council that highlights authentic heritage, art, and outdoor travel throughout the country.
As with the other presentations I attended, The Cultural Traveler emphasized the importance of traveling to connect with the local community. Go to each destination with a sense of discovery and a willingness to look beyond Top 10 lists.
This presentation heavily focused on heritage travel. Especially in the United States, much of our cultural heritage is ignored or overlooked. But there are still plenty of places where we can visit that authentically represents the stories of America’s past, not just through the lens of the European-American experience.
A representative from Travel Arizona discussed many of the different cultural travel experiences available in Arizona outside of the Grand Canyon. Of course, this park is incredible and absolutely worth a visit. But she encouraged visitors to spend more time in Arizona learning from the Native peoples and discovering the other incredible natural wonders the state has to offer.
The presentation reinforced the theme expressed in every other panel: travel more authentically. Slow down, travel off the beaten path, think about your impact, and connect with people.
Implement This in My Travels
I left the travel show feeling incredibly inspired and a bit overwhelmed. Travel is my passion. It’s what drives everything I do. And I don’t want to be a “bad” traveler. I want to make a positive (or at least neutral) impact when I travel. And I absolutely want to have authentic experiences, but I can’t help also wanting to see those bucket-list-worthy spots!
After having a moment of crisis, I took a step back and reminded myself of something huge. This is a LEARNING PROCESS! All of life is. Sure, some (most) of my travels in the past haven’t been exactly sustainable. I take planes and I plan trips to see specific landmarks. But I also want to give myself a tiny bit of credit. I seek out cultural experiences. I try to make connections with locals and other travelers. No, I’m not perfect, but I’m working on becoming a more sustainable and authentic traveler.
So I’m taking what I learned from the New York Times Travel Show and moving forward the best way I can. I will open myself up even more as I travel. When things go wrong, I’ll remind myself to embrace it. I want to spend longer in each place instead of just going to say I’ve been. I’ll look for more ways to connect with locals so I can have a deeper appreciation for what it is like to live in a place instead of just to visit it.
And at the end of the day, I’ll remind myself that we are all learning and growing. We all have something to share with others. Travel is one of the best ways to open our minds and create a more accepting and connected world.
I’d love to hear your thoughts on my New York Times Travel Show takeaways. Let’s start a conversation below!
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