7th New York Times Travel Show February 26th to 28th

February. 9, 2010 – The seventh annual New York Times Travel Show will be held Feb. 26 to 28, 2010, at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center in New York City. The Travel Show will feature nearly 500 exhibitors representing more than 150 countries. The Show will take place in the main hall located on the south side of the Javits Center. The focus of the event is to encourage people to book vacations for a wide variety of trips, taking advantage of the on-site special offers available only at the Show. For more information, visit http://www.nytimes.com/travelshow.

American Express is the presenting sponsor of The New York Times Travel Show through 2011. As a founding sponsor, American Express has participated in the show since its inception.

This year’s Travel Show will showcase a variety of travel and vacation opportunities for consumers of all types: those traveling solo, as a couple or taking the whole family; those looking for budget or luxury trips; and those looking for relaxation and wellness trips or seeking adventure travel. The common thread will be the opportunity for consumers to book any type of vacation during the show, taking advantage of all the special promotions.

The New York Times Travel Show is one of North America’s premier travel shows attracting a unique global representation of the world’s leading tourism markets including Africa, Asia, Australia/South Pacific, Canada, the Caribbean, Central America, Europe, Mexico, South America and the United States. At this year’s event, travel experts including Arthur and Pauline Frommer, Valerie D’Elia, Patricia Schultz and Stephanie Abrams will take questions and offer tips at on-site seminars. Specialty travel pavilions will include those for Adventure Travel, Family Fun, Products and Services, Vacation Home Rental and Cruises.

“American Express is delighted to return as the presenting sponsor of The New York Times Travel Show for the seventh year in a row,” said Claire Bennett, senior vice president and general manager, American Express Travel. “As a travel industry leader, we especially enjoy the excitement and enthusiasm for travel that the show generates year after year among travel professionals and consumers, particularly in these challenging times. And each year, the Travel Show provides an invaluable opportunity for American Express to showcase the best-in-class travel benefits we offer Card-members and travel agency partners.”

“Each year, thousands of consumers come to the Javits Center for our annual Travel Show,” said Yasmin Namini, senior vice president, marketing and circulation, The New York Times. “With plenty of opportunities for booking trips, exclusive discounts and entertainment from around the world, the show has become a highly anticipated event for both consumers and the travel trade. We are delighted to welcome back American Express as our presenting sponsor for this year’s event.”

The show features discounts and entertainment for families, singles, couples and seniors, including:

• Exclusive Travel Discounts. The New York Times Travel Show offers vacation discounts and travel packages from nearly 500 sponsors and exhibitors. Visitors can take advantage of these on-site-only offers on the Travel Show floor. Visit www.nytimes.com/travelshow.com for more details.

• International Dance and Live Music on the Hudson. Enjoy entertainment and special live performances from around the world including Ballet Folklórico de México de Amalia Hernández, presented by the Mexico Tourism Board; salsa time with Danza Fiesta, presented by the Puerto Rico Tourism Company; the sounds of romantic hula music, presented by the Kaua’i Visitors Bureau; the Latvian National Dance Group “Jumis,” presented by the Embassy of Latvia; and the New York Gypsy All-Stars Band presented by the Turkish Culture and Tourist Office.

• International Food and Wine Tastings. Doug Duda, A&E International Network’s “The Well-Seasoned Traveler” will host tastings and provide tips for the culinary traveler. Chefs, writers, sommeliers, wine makers and culinary guides will take the audience on a delicious journey featuring demonstrations and samples of favorite food and drink adventures. Some of the weekend’s delicious events include a poori tasting presented by India Tourism; a sweets-lover’s tour of Italy with author Francine Segan, sponsored by DolceItalia.com and Brescia Tourism; A sampling of Ukrainian traditional cuisine presented by Veselka restaurant and Travel to Ukraine; a wine sampling presented by South Africa Tourism; a sampling of tequila brought to you by the Mexico Tourism Board; and a special cooking demonstration by Cecilia Rebong, Consul General of the Philippines, presented by the Philippine Department of Tourism.

• “Wild Things: Live!” SeaWorld Orlando is known for immersing guests in the mysteries of the sea, while Busch Gardens Tampa Bay offers exotic encounters with the African continent. Join our animal educators as they share entertaining conservation information and introduce exotic animals including penguins, an American alligator, a lemur, a kookaburra, a Burmese python, a bearded dragon and a baby kangaroo. SeaWorld, Busch Gardens and Discovery Cove have dedicated more than four decades to ensuring that we all can enjoy one wild world for many years to come.

• Travel Seminars with the Experts. Want to learn about the hottest vacation spots? What are the best travel bargains for the year ahead? What are the top undiscovered sites in the world’s favorite vacation destinations? These are just some of the topics that will be covered in more than 20 consumer seminars held throughout the weekend. Speakers will include a panel from The New York Times Travel section including contributor Jennifer Conlin, and columnists Matt Gross and Michelle Higgins in conversation with editor Stuart Emmrich; NY1 News’s Valarie D’Elia; TV personality and travel advisor for KAYAK.com, Julia Dimon; travel experts and WOR Radio personalities Arthur and Pauline Frommer; host of PBS’s “Travelscope” Joseph Rosendo; and the international best-selling author of “1,000 Places to See Before You Die” Patricia Schultz.

• Advice for Travelers with Special Interests. A panel of women’s travel experts focusing on destinations, tips, safety and savings for the female traveler will be moderated by April M. Merenda of Gutsy Women Travel. Get faith-based travel ideas from World Religious Travel Association president and author Kevin J. Wright. Freelance travel editor Ed Salvato, author Jeff Guaracino and Tom Nibbio of the International Gay & Lesbian Travel Association will share information on planning your next GLBT vacation.

• Be a Diver. Learn to scuba dive in the 5,000-gallon Be A Diver scuba pool on-site at the Show. Families, couples and children over 10 years of age will have a chance to try scuba diving with local certified diving instructors. All of the diving equipment, wetsuits, fins, towels, mirrors and a hair dryer will be provided on-site. Be A Diver is a Diving Equipment & Marketing Association (DEMA) program.

• Family Fun. The New York Times Travel Show is a terrific place to have fun while planning your next family getaway. Scale a 24-foot rock climbing wall sponsored by Skytop Lodge and the Pocono Mountains Visitors Bureau. Learn the soccer-inspired Diski Dance in time for the 2010 World Cup Championship in South Africa. Enjoy the sounds of the Lithuanian Children’s Choir sponsored by GoBaltic Europe. The Tourism Authority of Thailand will offer a Thai boxing demonstration. Join Walt Disney Pictures for a reading of “Alice in Wonderland,” the book that inspired the new Tim Burton movie in theaters this March.

• Win a vacation getaway. Jamaica beaches, a Tanzania safari and Saborea Puerto Rico, San Juan’s annual culinary extravaganza, are just some of the vacations attendees can register to win while at the Show.

• Travel Tips from Radio Host Stephanie Abrams. Meet Stephanie Abrams, travel expert and host of the nationally syndicated radio shows “Travelers411” and “Travel With Stephanie Abrams!” Visit Stephanie’s booth on the show floor where she will broadcast live and attendees can register to win travel prizes including a five-night San Francisco vacation. Stephanie’s seminars will also offer insight into the latest airport security, customs, immigration, duties and baggage regulations as well as castle-hopping in Ireland.

• Book Signings with Leading Travel Authors. Borders will host an on-site bookstore where attendees can purchase many of the latest travel guides, meet authors, ask for travel advice or get an autographed book.

The 2010 Travel Show will launch with a Trade Day for industry professionals on Feb. 26, offering seminars, workshops and a preview of the show floor followed by an industry reception on the floor. This year’s Travel Industry Conference features 34 seminars with over 50 top industry executives in seven targeted conferences. The seminars will provide a comprehensive overview of the travel industry to travel agency owners, managers, line agents and home-based agents as well as meeting planners.

American Express is the presenting sponsor of The New York Times Travel Show. The supporting sponsors are AM Resorts and Norwegian Cruise Line. South African Tourism and Travel Alberta are contributing sponsors. Agent@Home, TravelPulse, Travel Agent Academy and VacationAgent are the trade sponsors. About.com, GoNomad.com, MVP/NY, national talk show host Stephanie Abrams, Time Out New York Kids, Travel Tribe, Travel World and WOR Radio710AM are media partners. The industry sponsors are Adventure Society; Africa Travel Association; American Society of Travel Agents; Appalachian Mountain Club, New York - North Jersey Chapter; Association for the Promotion of Tourism to Africa; Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association; Caribbean Tourism Organization; Cruise Lines Industry Association; International Gay & Lesbian Travel Association; MailPound; Meeting Professionals International, Greater New York Chapter; Long Island Rail Road; Metro-North Railroad; Metropolitan Transit Authority; National Association of Career Travel Agents; Outside Sales Support Network; Pacific Asia Travel Association; Society of American Travel Writers Northeast Chapter; Specialty Travel Agents Association; Tourism Cares; Tripology; and United States Tour Operators Association.

Admission to the show is $15 with a $5 discount if tickets are purchased with an American Express Card. Children under 18 are admitted free. Public show hours are Saturday, Feb. 27, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Sunday, Feb. 28, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. For advance ticket purchase and a list of exhibitors please visit www.nytimes.com/travelshow. Tickets can also be purchased by calling 888-625-4359.