Service members at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wash., attended the third annual Travel Fair sponsored by Leisure Travel Services, March 9.
The fair took place at the Army Family Covenant Arena and gave military members and their families the opportunity to talk to 60 different local and destination venders offering deals specific to their military customers.
"We do this so that service members can get some ideas about vacation destinations and what is available to them," said Mickey Peebles, LTS director, Family Morale Welfare and Recreation.
Planning for the event begins in the fall when LTS sends letters to the different venders letting them know about the event. Each year the event has grown to include more venders and attendees.
"Every year it grows bigger," Peebles said. "Last year we had 50 venders and the year before we had 30."
The venders present at this year's fair offered local and global destinations as well as tickets to attractions, city passes and special military pricing.
"The volume of venders here is great," said Air Force Master Sgt. Andy Watts, superintendent of plans and implementation, Western Air Defense Sector. "We've found a lot of things in the local area that we didn't know existed and great rates for military members."
Watts and his wife, Trina, are planning a trip to the Mediterranean and attended the travel fair to get some ideas about destinations, hotels and things to see during their trip.
"So far it's been great," said Trina Watts. "We came here to learn what options there were and we've learned a lot."
The travel fair also exposes service members to LTS, which is available throughout the year for vacation planning. Travel agents at LTS can offer the same services as an off-post travel agent, but without charging a service fee.
"I love letting people know what we have to offer," said Robee Cosby, lead recreation assistant travel agent, LTS, FMWR.
A few of the services that LTS offers include destination planning and booking, tickets to local events and attractions access to the Armed Forces Vacation Club and city passes for cities around the country.
One of the benefits of the LTS is that the funds received by LTS go back to the military community in the way of FMWR.
"When service members and family members make a vacation or cruise package through Leisure Travel Services the commission goes back into FMWR," Peebles said. "The more Soldiers and families we have come through here, the more we can do for them," Peebles said. "This is all for the Soldiers and their families."
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