Just under a week to go. I'll be heading to Tucson for the Global Travel Marketplace West. A rather unique trade event. Suppliers outnumber agents, who are screened quite selectively. Only 75 of us from the Western U.S. and Canada. Truly, it's an honor and an achievement, just to be invited.
And about 80 travel suppliers representing tour operators, cruise lines, hotel chains, all-inclusive resorts, insurance companies, shore excursion suppliers, etc.
Put on by NorthStar Media (the publisher of Travel Weekly and Travel Agent West, among other magazines), it's a little different than the usual trade show in that it's small, tightly run and very much "agent-centered". And the best part is it's held at the Westin La Paloma, a fabulous hotel in the Catalina Foothills on the north side of Tucson. There is a golf course, hiking trails, tennis complex, Elizabeth Arden Red Door Spa, several restaurants and a bunch of pools. I really enjoyed my time there last year, and am looking forward to going back.
I'll be grabbing a train at about 11pm next Wednesday for the 8.5 hour journey. Then a glorious DAY OFF! Thursday (I haven't had one of those since 2014). Friday the fun begins promptly at 8am and goes til 10pm or later. And that will be the sleeping in day. Not that they don't schedule in breaks and a leisurely lunch, but, yeah...14 hour day on Saturday and 11 more on Sunday. During that time will be a dozen small room meetings with suppliers (8 or 10 agents/one supplier for a 1/2 hour or so), and about 60 short one-on-one appointments. This is what we do, to make sure we know what we need to know, to give you the best, most up-to-date and personalized advice on your travel. And by "we" I mean, travel agents who care ;-).
Then back on the train for the ride home.
I'll be posting daily here, and probably a lot on FB (www.facebook.com/DaveHolmanTravel).
And if you need any help booking your next vacation (or even a weekend at La Paloma to check out the best of Tucson, give us a call at 760.265.3687, or email daveholman@verizon.net, or find me on FB or Twitter!
