What to know before going to a Tourism Fair

Although we prefer to DIY our own trips and vacations, we know that there are people who do not have the time or courage to travel to a  foreign country, especially if it isn’t an English speaking country. The most important thing is the time, because we invest a lot in the research of the location, to choose the accommodation, the restaurants in the area and much more.

For busy people, we decided to write this blog post, to help them organize themselves better when they go to a tourism fair. In addition to travel agencies that will bombard you with all kinds of reduced offers, airline companies are also present at fairs, so keep an eye on tickets with promotional prices.

When you go to tourism fair it is ideal to be prepared:

Where do you want to go?

Perhaps you find this a funny question, but it is very important. When you go to a fair, you will be bombarded from all sides with offers from around the world and you may find it very difficult to choose something you really like. So think before you get to the fair where you want to go, make a list of 2,3, …, 5 destinations (as you wish) and pay attention to their dedicated offers.

How to get there?

Once you have clarified where you want to go, it is time to decide how you want to get there. There are 3 options you can choose from: by car, by plane or by boat. If it’s close to the home destination, you might think it would be more convenient to take your own car or even a bus to your destination. Depends where your destination is, you can choose whether it is more cost-effective to fly or even cruise there. Choose at least two preferred means of transport, to be prepared at the fair. (14 Things you need to know before your first flight )

When?

Depending on the location chosen in point 1, there are different periods (seasons) of travel. For example, in Sri Lanka, the monsoon moves from one side of the island to the other at a few months. So if you want to visit the western side, there are only some ideal times. Once again this point will contribute to a large extent to the budget allocated for the trip. The more flexible you are, you can find a better deal. Think about at least 2 travel periods and calculate with + – a few days.

Tour or just accommodation?

Depending on how flexible you want to be, you can have tours already organized by the agency, your duty being just to be present and respect the imposed schedule. If you do not like this style, you can choose the option to buy only your accommodation, then you can make your own itinerary. (10+ Tips & Tricks – How to find cheaper accommodation) 

Medical / life insurance.

When you are asking about the cost of a trip, ask if it includes insurance. It can or may not be included in the package and offers various benefits if needed. If it is not offered then you have to find out how much it costs.

Visa or not?

If you want to visit certain countries, you will need a visa. Depending on the country, you will be able to get them from the embassy or when you arrive (visa on arrival) or even online (e-visa). Each country has its own system and you have to ask before the type of visa you need, especially as their validity differs.

Budget

Perhaps the most important thing on the list is the budget allocated to the trip. Here you have to be the most careful and calculate your costs very well. You have to choose a maximum budget that you can not go over, no matter how attractive the offer is. Once you’ve set your maximum budget, you need to pay attention to all the commissions and benefits included in the offer. For example, whether you have insurance or not, transfer from the airport, or visa for entry into the country. All this and many others can make the price paid at the end much higher than the one that drew your attention.

 

These are a few points that I think you should consider when you go at a tourism fair. The list could have many more points depending on your personal needs.

What would you add to your list?