Healthy Aging Magazine scenes from the 2020 New York Times Travel Show
When it comes to travel, baby boomers and Gen-Xers are on it. And a look at who was at the 2020 New York Times Travel Show confirms it.
The travel show that recently took place at the Jacob K. Javits Center in New York City attracted over 36,000 visitors. The view from the Healthy Aging® Magazine booth revealed many of the visitors were the publication’s audience: the active 45-plus.
Healthy Aging Magazine publisher at the publication’s active travel booth, New York Times Travel Show
For the fourth year, Healthy Aging® Magazine served as one of the official media partners of the show. “This was probably the biggest and best show we have participated in so far,” said Carolyn Worthington, publisher of Healthy Aging® multi-media platform which includes the digital Healthy Aging® Magazine, website, newsletter, social media and special promotions such as the travel show.
The show is a must-attend for travelers planning trips and who want to gather information all in one place. Almost 750 companies representing over 175 countries exhibit making it the largest travel trade and consumer show in North America.
Dubai Tourism, in association with Expo 2020 Dubai, was the presenting sponsor of the show, now in its 17th year. In 2020, Dubai will host the World Expo, one of the biggest events held in the Middle East, South Asia and Africa,” said Sanjive Khosla, chief commercial officer, Expo 2020. “As a co-presenting sponsor with Dubai Tourism, their goal was to increase awareness and understanding of Expo 2020 Dubai.
Meet the Experts Panel. (From left to right) Sonia Tuerel, Ecotourism Club of Spain; Carolyn Worthington, publisher – Healthy Aging multi-media; Erika Gustafson, Quest Travel Adventures
What We Learned
“Over and over, we heard from visitors to our booth and at the Meet the Experts panel that we headed up, active travel is top of mind,” Worthington said. “Many people expressed interest in really local experiences, active (but not so active) ideas and solo or couple’s travel.”
“We also spoke with people who were looking for tips on where to take an aging parent … somewhere accessible, interesting and stimulating. These were impressive, responsible grown children that wanted to help their parents to keep going rather than just leaving them to sit watching television.” Worthington added.
At the Meet the Experts seminar, show visitors were given the opportunity to ask individual questions about travel. Many of the questions revolved around solo travel, where to go with an aging parent that might have physical limitations, places to go without paying a single supplement and more.
What We Shared
The Healthy Aging® staff greeted the would-be travelers with ideas culled from the pages of the multi-media platform. In particular, information was shared on walking, cycling, horseback riding, foodie, cultural and foodie trips.
The editors share experiences from recent articles such as:
Madrid skyline. Photo: Jorge Fernandez Salas, Unsplash
What’s New in Madrid? Your First Stop in Discovering Spain
Photo: Elkhorn Ranch, Arizona
Disconnect to Reconnect at Elkhorn Ranch, Arizona and Horses, Hats, History, Honesty, Heart, And Hospitality Make It A Dude Ranch Vacation
Europe Villa Cortes, Canary Islands. Photo: Europe Villa Cortes
Active Traveler News: Discover The Hidden Gem: Tenerife, Canary Islands
The Healthy Aging® booth had an added draw by offering two random drawings for free vacation stays:
Elkhorn Ranch, Arizona
A five-night Dude Ranch stay for two at Elkhorn Ranch in Arizona presented by the Dude Rancher’s Association
And …
Canary Island, Tenerife
A five-day, four-night Tenerife, Canary Island, Spain, tour offered by Quest Travel Adventures
The winners will be notified by email and follow up phone calls and announced once the vacation stay has been accepted.
Brochures and other handouts were distributed and are available online from the Dude Rancher’s Association, Elkhorn Ranch and Quest Travel Adventures.
Visitors were also given the opportunity to subscribe to the digital Healthy Aging® Magazine at a show discount which is valid until the end of February. Subscribe and use code “JUST15.” For almost $10 off the regular subscription for four issues.
Sonia Teruel, Ecotourism Club of Spain
Special Guest On-Site Appearance
Special guest, Sonia Teruel, a responsible tourism expert of the Ecotourism Club in Spain, appeared at the booth on both Saturday and Sunday of the show. With a backdrop of a giant welcoming poster of Spain, Teruel shared information on how to see the countryside of Spain beyond the big cities such as Madrid and Barcelona.
8 Ecotourist Ideas In Unique Places of Spain Brochure 
Teruel provided visitors with a unique brochure, 8 Ecotourist Ideas in Unique Places of Spain, such as Sierra Nevada National Park in Andalucia, La Gomera Biosphere Reserve in the Canary Islands, Monfrague National Park in Extremadura and more.
Washington Square Hotel
New York City Local Ideas
The Healthy Aging team provided international as well as local tips. For example, when heading to the Big Apple with some 669 hotels to choose from, the choice is daunting. Knowing their audience, the editors recommended a place in New York where you can live and eat like a local: Greenwich Village. The home-away-from-home choice after a busy day at the travel show or any other bustling spot in the city is the Washington Square Hotel located on peaceful Waverly Place by Washington Square Park and New York University. Positioned as “the heart and soul of Greenwich Village hospitality since 1902, the hotel has been updated in every detail.
The hotel boasts art-deco styled furnishings and offers complimentary continental breakfast (try the homemade granola!), lobby bar, fitness room, in-room iPod dock, Keurig coffee maker and very comfy beds.
Save the date for 2021
The New York Times Travel Show 2021 will take place next year from January 29 to 31, 2021. This is a unique opportunity to research travel ideas all under one roof … perfect for the active, and not-so-active, traveler.
