For those unfamiliar, a travel fair is an exhibition or event organized to showcase a wide range of travel-related products and services, including tourism packages, holiday deals, and travel essentials. These events often feature exciting offers such as discounted airline tickets, travel packages, accommodations, and other tourism-related products.
Travel fairs typically involve various travel companies, tour agencies, airlines, hotels, and other travel service providers. With massive promotions and irresistible deals, these events attract a lot of people eager to grab the best prices. So, how can you secure the best deals during a travel fair?
Do Your Research on Travel Fair Dates and Locations
Before attending a travel fair, it's highly recommended to research when and where the event will be held. Travel fairs are hosted at different times and venues—shopping malls, hotels, or exhibition halls.
Pay close attention to the event’s schedule, as some fairs may run for up to four days, while others only last a day or two. Knowing this helps you plan your visit and avoid missing out on time-sensitive promos or flash deals.
Find Out Which Travel Agents Are Participating
Each travel agent may specialize in different offerings—some focus on family holidays, solo trips, or cultural tours, while others concentrate on flights or accommodations.
Researching participating travel agents allows you to identify those that match your travel preferences—destination, travel style, and budget. It also helps to read reviews or customer feedback beforehand to ensure quality service.
Check What Promotions and Discounts Are Available
Most people visit travel fairs with one goal: to get amazing deals on flights, hotels, or holiday packages. Since many providers compete to offer their best prices, it's smart to research promotions in advance.
Check the terms of each promo, such as time limits, special conditions, or extra benefits like cashback, flight upgrades, or bonus services. This helps you choose the best offer that fits your budget and travel plans.
Decide Your Destination, Budget, and Travel Dates
Knowing your travel goals will help you narrow down package deals from various agents. Setting a budget keeps you focused and avoids unnecessary spending.
Also, having flexible or fixed travel dates helps you target promos with the best value for your schedule. This kind of preparation will save you time and help you make quick, informed decisions during the event.
Bring Your Travel Documents and Payment Methods
Don’t forget to bring essential documents like your passport or ID for ticket or package purchases and verification.
Also, make sure you have reliable payment methods on hand—credit card, debit card, or cash—especially since some promos are only valid for direct on-site payments.
It’s highly recommended to use a credit card from the sponsoring bank of the travel fair. These often come with extra perks like cashback, installment plans, or exclusive discounts.
Consult with Travel Experts On-Site
At the fair, many travel agents are ready to provide consultation based on your needs. Take advantage of this to get personalized recommendations for destinations, packages, and deals that suit your preferences and budget.
You can also clarify details about what’s included in the package, possible upgrades, or unlisted deals only available through direct consultation.
Things You Might Not Know About Travel Fairs
Even though travel fairs are held annually and widely promoted, some people might still find them unfamiliar or overwhelming. Here are some things you might not know:
You Don’t Always Have to Be There in Person
While travel fairs are held offline at various locations, many participating agents also offer deals online. You can contact agents directly or check their websites and social media for deals that often go live a day or two before the event starts.
No Need to Line Up at Dawn
It's common to see long queues hours before a travel fair opens, especially from people hoping to claim extra cashback from sponsor banks.
However, you don’t need to show up at dawn to enjoy great deals. Even during regular hours, there are still plenty of promo prices available—you won’t miss out.
You Can Still Pay Without the Sponsor Bank’s Card
Travel fairs usually partner with specific banks and require their credit cards for promo eligibility. However, if you don’t have that card, you can still get the same price by purchasing directly from the travel agent outside the fair.
Just confirm with the agent beforehand if the promo is available via other payment methods. That said, using the sponsor bank’s card often gives the best benefits, so it's highly recommended if you want to maximize rewards.