Business Editors

The New York Times Travel Show

NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dec. 19, 2003--

Trade and Consumer Event Includes Opportunities for Scuba Lessons, Passport Applications and Special On-Site Bookings

The New York Times Travel Show, presented by American Express, today announced that Air Jamaica, Carnival Cruise Lines, Ruffino Wines and Sandals Resorts have been named sponsors of the show. These companies join leading travel industry associations, international tourism boards and an ever-growing list of exhibitors who will participate in the inaugural show, to be held February 27-29, 2004 at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center in New York City. The New York Times Travel Show is a major consumer exhibition and trade event, with space for 250 exhibitors and opportunities for special travel deals for show attendees.

"We are thrilled to have these trusted names in the travel business on board to launch our new travel show," said Jyll F. Holzman, senior vice president, advertising, The New York Times. "Their participation confirms that leaders in the industry recognize this as a terrific opportunity to share their message with a targeted audience, and as a way to connect with the savvy and sophisticated New York consumer."

Air Jamaica and Carnival Cruises are supporting sponsors and will offer show attendees special discounts and travel packages at the show, including opportunities to book vacations and weekend getaways. Air Jamaica is also sponsoring the Caribbean Pavilion. Ruffino Wines will provide wine throughout the weekend. Sandals will sponsor the dive pool, which will be offering free scuba lessons at the show.

Among the dozens of exhibitors at the show will be Adventure Travel LLC, Globus and Cosmos Tours, Grand Expeditions, India Tourism, Lindblad Expeditions, Maine Office of Tourism, Relais and Chateaux, Safari Africa, Tauck World Travel, Texas Approach, Universal Orlando Resort and Wyoming Travel & Tourism. The show will feature nine pavilions showcasing different tourist destinations in Africa, Asia, Australia/South Pacific, Canada, the Caribbean, Europe, Mexico/Central America, South America and the United States. In addition, industry pavilions will showcase exhibitors in the cruise and hotel sectors.

Thirteen industry associations are supporting the show: the Travel Industry Association (TIA), the American Society of Travel Agents (ASTA), the U.S. Tour Operators Association (USTOA), Hospitality Sales & Marketing Association International (HSMAI), Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA), NYC & Company, Caribbean Hotel Association (CHA), The Travel Institute, Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO), African Travel Association (ATA), National Association of Commissioned Travel Agents (NACTA), Modern Agent and Society for Accessible Travel & Hospitality (SATH).

On Friday, February 27, 2004, the Tourism Industry Conference, consisting of a series of seminars on travel industry issues, will be offered exclusively to representatives from the travel trade. The seminars will be conducted by leading travel industry organizations, including USTOA, The Travel Institute, ASTA, CLIA and NACTA. Throughout the weekend, public seminars by industry professionals and show exhibitors will address current tourism issues, offer practical travel advice and details on new travel technology improvements. Also for the public will be giveaways, sweepstakes and live entertainment from different parts of the world.

Exhibitor packages for show participants include booth space, a listing in the show directory and an ad in the Escapes section of The Times, which will be published on Friday, February 27, 2004. Multiple sponsorship levels include advertising opportunities in The New York Times that will provide extensive pre-show and on-site exposure. For more information about the show, or to become a sponsor or an exhibitor, please log on to www.nytimes.com/travelshow.

The New York Times Company (NYSE: NYT), a leading media company with 2002 revenues of $3.1 billion, includes The New York Times, The International Herald Tribune, The Boston Globe, 16 other newspapers, eight network-affiliated television stations, two New York City radio stations and more than 40 Web sites, including NYTimes.com and Boston.com. For the third consecutive year, the Company was ranked No. 1 in the publishing industry in Fortune's 2002 list of America's Most Admired Companies. In 2003 the Company was named by Fortune as one of the 100 Best Companies to Work For. The Company's core purpose is to enhance society by creating, collecting and distributing high-quality news, information and entertainment.

This press release can be downloaded from www.nytco.com and www.nytco.com-community

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