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Adventures in
Travel Expo/ Luxury Show
Next Venues: Dallas. TX
and San Francisco, CA
http://www.adventureexpo.com
mailto:airhwy@dowco.com
Phone (604) 681-0718, Fax (604) 681-6595
 New
York, NY: Gone are the days when vacationers sought
nothing more of the outdoors than a comfortable
chaise lounge at the beach resort. The most recent
survey completed by the Travel Industry Association
of America shows that among U.S. travelers alone,
173 million person-trips each year involve at least
some outdoor recreational activity. And while there
are as many definitions of "adventure travel" as
there are travelers seeking adventure, more and
more vacationers think of relaxation in terms of
rock climbing, mountain biking, snorkeling,
whitewater rafting, and close encounters with
wildlife in its natural habitat. How do you prepare
for these new encounters, these emerging
activities?
 As
adventure travelers continue to explore new
vacation territory, both in the U.S. and abroad,
they have to change the way they prepare for their
vacations and adventures, as well. The organizers
of the Adventure Travel Expo, which will be held in
NYC January 9-11, 2004 at the Jacob Javits Center,
offer these tips for safe and happy adventure
travels:
* Do your
homework. Bookstores and websites offer a
wealth of resources about your destination, its
attractions, the food and facilities there, and
cultural considerations you'll want to bear in mind
to make the most of your experience and your
contact with the local people. Start with
www.lonelyplanet.com, www.activetravel.about.com ,
www.roughguides.com and www.maps.com for a long
list of links and resources to start your planning.
If you're planning on doing any purchasing when
you're in foreign locales, you'll want to read U.S.
Custom's "Know Before You Go for more information
on products that cannot be imported to the U.S.
* See your
doctor. Certain vaccines and preventive
medications are recommended and in some cases
required for travel to some remote locations. Your
own medical history and conditions may also affect
what precautions and preparations are advisable for
you; consult with your doctor to determine what you
need to do to stay healthy on your trip. If you're
visiting a remote location, obtain a list of the
best medical facilities in the region and consider
bringing a supply of emergency supplies with you in
the event that the sterility of local medical
supplies is uncertain. Even a local camping trip
can pose risks you can easily eliminate by, for
example, making sure your tetanus inoculation is
current. Keep tabs on your health after your
return, too, and see your doctor promptly to
diagnose and treat any post-travel symptoms of
illness. For more information to share with your
doctor during your discussion,check out
www.cdc.gov.travel for U.S. government health
advisory information around the world or
travelhealth.net, for information on specific
travel related health issues.
* Be prepared for
changes in climate and environment. Travel is
tiring under any circumstances. Throw a change in
altitude into the mix and you may not be able to
participate in your planned activities as
immediately or as fully as you had hoped. Take it
easy, take it slow, and try to arrive a day or two
before you begin strenuous physical activity so
your body has time to adjust to its new
surroundings. Although most people can go to 8,000
feet from sea level without a negative effect,
anything above that classifies as a higher risk,
and some people are more susceptible than others to
altitude and weather changes. Acclimatizing
for a day or two helps you find out!
* Get in shape.
Peak physical performance is optimal for all
strenuous activities, and particularly important
for those that involve heights or depths like
mountain climbing, treks in high altitudes, or
diving. Several months before taking a high
adventure trip, work with your doctor to develop a
physical exercise program designed to get you in
the best condition for the activities you'll be
undertaking. You can do this even in an urban
setting by stair climbing, walking, and weight
lifting.
* Protect yourself
from the elements. When you're outdoors for long
periods of time, a wide-brimmed hat and a high-SPF,
non-PABA-based sunscreen is essential - - even more
so if you're in a tropical or sub-tropical location
or at an elevated altitude. Closed shoes can
literally be a lifesaver by protecting your feet
from unfriendly parasites; in some locations you're
best off leaving your sandals at home. Long pants
and sleeves may be your best bet in certain buggy
climes and don't forget the DEET-based insect
repellent!
* Avoid alcohol.
Alcohol dehydrates the body, and you'll need to
keep your body fully hydrated for strenuous
activity. While the tendency on any vacation is to
have a few cocktails, you'll want to abstain if
you're planning high-energy physical activity.
Bottled water is the drink du jour for smart
adventure travelers!
* Consider travel
insurance. If you'll be in a remote location,
at home or abroad, think about investing in a
travel insurance plan that can simplify and
minimize the expense of getting home in the event
of an injury or other emergency. Check out
www.insuremytrip.com if you don't have a resource
to explore this option.
* Pack carefully.
Think not only about your first aid kit and
drugstore supplies, but also about items you may
have difficulty obtaining once you're out on safari
or have ascended to 1000 feet on that mountain.
That's no time to realize you need fresh batteries,
a rain poncho or a few more rolls of film. It's not
a bad idea to keep a spare toothbrush on hand,
either. Just as important: pack no more
than you can carry....most porters are not working
in the rain forests of the Amazon.
* Know the
communications situation. When traveling in remote
locations, you likely won't find a pay phone.
Before you go, learn what communications links will
be available to you, and determine whether you'd be
able to acquire a cell phone at the destination or
whether you need to investigate satellite phones in
advance. These hi-tech phones have come down in
price in recent years. www.worldcell.com offers a
wide range of options such as renting satellite
phones, international cell phones and
more.
* Practice the
adventure travel credo.
"Take nothing but
photographs. Leave nothing but footprints."
The great coral reefs, waterways, mountains
and rain forests can only be as beautiful for
travelers that follow if we all plan to remove our
trash, look but not touch, and walk, don't
drive!
The Adventures in
Travel Expo will appeal to travel enthusiasts who
not only want to visit a destination, but to
experience it from an activity, cultural or
spiritual standpoint. Adventure travel encompasses
a wide range of activities - everything from soft
adventure such as walking tours, bird watching,
cruising, and camping, to hard adventures like
white water rafting, wilderness expeditions,
extreme skiing and arduous treks. The Expo,
sponsored by New York media giants like The New
York Post and 1010 WINS radio, as well as others
like National Geographic Adventure, will present a
unique opportunities for consumers to find
information about all aspects of adventure travel
under one roof. We join with industry leaders such
as the Rainforest Alliance in promoting responsible
adventure sports.
For more
information about the Adventures in Travel Expo,
please contact Jim Cohen at
(203) 878-2577 x
22 or visit www.adventureexpo.com.
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