The 16th annual Los Angeles Times Travel Show was attended by the ATTA and its members from January 17-19, 2014 at the LA Convention Center. Liz Ferrin, the ATTA's Director of Strategic Partnerships, along with Michael Bennett, Don Mankin and Frank Castro, the ATTA's AdventureConnect Regional Advocate and Representatives for Los Angeles, increased awareness of adventure tourism among the 2,270 agents, tourism entities and fellow exhibitors at the show during the trade program and 20,430 visitors over the weekend during the consumer portion of the event.
Joe Robinson, author of “Don’t Miss Your Life,” “Work to Live” and former editor and publisher of the adventure magazine “Escape” moderated a panel on behalf of ATTA on the topic of "Partnering with Adventure Companies to Introduce Adventure Travel to Non-Adventurers." ATTA Members Jay Johnson, Tafari Travel, Lisa Bolton, Aurora Expeditions, and Don Mankin, Adventure Transformations, described how to identify reputable and compatible adventure operator partners in the business marketplace. The panelists also shared insights on how to introduce adventure travel experiences to travelers who may not consider themselves to be adventurous.
The panel was followed by a well attended AdventureConnect Social event, sponsored by Baja California Sur Tourism and enjoyed by more than sixty travel professionals, fellow exhibitors, advisors and media onsite.
Great presentation by @TravelBajaSur tonight at the @adventuretweets reception. #TravelShow @LATimesEvents— Justin Barnette (@Justin_Barnette) January 18, 2014
"For the traveler (and travel advisor) overwhelmed by the sheer volume of adventure travel operators out there, let alone the different types of adventure programs available to the consumer, having the ability to engage with the operator one on one in a more personal setting such as the LA Times show is critical. Additionally, ATTA's www.adventure.travel
Join the ATTA at the New York Times Travel Show Feb 28-March 2 including an AdventureConnect Social event on February 28.
Next up in Los Angeles: AdventureConnect on April 24th - free registration required for all travel and outdoor industry professionals.