The specific promotions described in this article have now passed, but it remains online so that the resources named will be of future use to travelers.
After cruising the Web sites for hours or talking to unknown people at the other end of the telephone line, are you perhaps longing to meet a real person who can give you face-to-face travel advice? I had feared since last September 11 that travel roadshows for the consumer were a thing of the past, but, happily enough, Aus-Vacations, one of the largest travel specialists to the South Pacific, is giving nine such presentations, free of charge, across the U.S. this fall. All you need to do is show up.
These are give-and-take presentations where consumers can learn about traveling to Australia, New Zealand and the islands of the South Pacific and ask questions of experts. Partners include the New Zealand Tourist Board, Tourism Tasmania and Air New Zealand.
Each roadshow runs from 6:30 to 8:30 PM, including a Power Point presentation showing off the highlights of these destinations, followed by a question-and-answer period. Each event will have door prizes and light refreshments. Everything will be covered, "possible itineraries, how to customize a package, highlights of each destination, gay and lesbian travel, group travel, costs, etc." says Simon Clarke, vice president of sales for the company. A former representative of both Australia and New Zealand, he will serve as main presenter at all of the shows except San Francisco, Los Angeles and Houston.
Jeff Adams, the expert presenter at the latter three events, has been educating consumers and travel agents through seminars on Down Under for a number of years.
The roadshow schedule is:
- September 17, Crowne Plaza (Natick, MA)
- September 18, Radisson Hotel (Cambridge, MA)
- September 24, Australian Consulate-General (New York City)
- September 25, C. G. Jung Institute (Chicago)
- September 26, Omni Hotel (Chicago)
- October 2, Post Oak Conference Center (Houston)
- October 3, New Zealand Embassy (Washington, D.C.)
- October 8, Dean Lesher Regional Center for the Arts (San Francisco)
- October 10, Torrance Culture Center (Los Angeles)
Further information can be had from Aus-Vacations at any of its eight offices throughout the U.S. or by phoning 800/633-3404 or 212/972-6880; fax 212/983-8376. Or go to their Web site, www.aus-vacations.com.
