FORT RUCKER, Ala. (February 20, 2014) -- Whether it's a staycation or a 14-day cruise to Alaska, the Fort Rucker Leisure Travel Service's 26th annual Travel Extravaganza will surely offer something for everyone looking for the perfect vacation for their Family and budget needs.
The event comes to Fort Rucker March 5 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at The Landing, promising to educate people on what the surrounding community, as well as neighboring states, have to offer, said Michelle Harris, leisure travel services program manager.
"The extravaganza is a travel show where vendors from all around will give participants new and updated information regarding their particular venue," she said. "There will be vendors from Alabama, Georgia, Florida, Tennessee and other areas. We are expecting around 45 vendors."
Among the vendors will be tourism departments, chambers of commerce, vendors for hotels and amusement parks, and even vendors from the Directorate of Family, Morale, Welfare and Recreation to highlight some things that people can take advantage of on the installation, she said.
"The event gives attendees a more in-depth view of what the different vendors have to offer rather than what they see at face value," she said. "After the show, people can come to leisure travel and get even more information if they need help sorting some information out."
Around 800 people attended last year's event, but officials expect 1,000 this year.
The event is open to the public with free admission, so Harris encourages people to come out and take advantage of the chance to win door prizes that include attraction tickets, hotel stays, dinner show tickets and more. She even teases that there will be a very desirable grand prize.
"They don't have to be present to win a prize, but throughout the event if their name is called, they can come up and collect their prize. So the earlier they get here, the more chances they have to win," said Harris.
Some of the vendors that will be in attendance are: Armed Forces Vacation Club, The Kennedy Space Center, Wild Adventures, Universal Studios, Camp Butter and Egg, Water World, and The Silver Door Hands Arts and Craft Center.
"We want to connect Soldiers, retirees, DOD civilians, and their Family members and all of the support staff on Fort Rucker to the surrounding community. We want them to know what is available -- that they don't have to stay on the installation if they don't want to. There are so many options," said Harris.
Leisure travel is meant to be enjoyable and stress reducing, said Harris, adding that sometimes people need a change of scenery to be at the top of their game, even if it is just a day trip.
"A staycation allows for a lower cost but going away for the weekend or the week allows people to reset," she said. "So no matter what your needs are, we can help you find the perfect vacation for you."
The leisure travel office will be closed March 5 for the event, but Harris asks that people use the interactive customer evaluation kiosks that will be available at the event to let officials know if the event was successful.
For more information, call 255-2997 or 255-9517.
Related Links:
USAACE and Fort Rucker on Twitter
Social Sharing