Tahiti is among the exotic global destinations that will be represented at San Diego's second annual Travel & Adventure Show at the convention center.

For anyone who has relied on the Internet for scoping out a vacation destination, ask yourself this question, have you ever seen an unflattering photo of a hotel online?

Probably not, suspects trade show producer John Golicz, whose two-day Travel & Adventure Show is headed this weekend to San Diego for the second year in a row.

Where: San Diego Convention Center, Halls E and F

When: Sat., Feb. 14, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Sun., Feb. 15, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Cost: One-day ticket, $16; two-day ticket, $25. Discounts online at: travelshows.com/sandiegoInfo

As much as the Internet and online travel agencies like Travelocity and Expedia have come to be go-to resources for avid travelers, Golicz insists theres no substitute for the face-to-face conversations with the pros that a wide-ranging consumer show offers.

The San Diego show, which will be held at the bayfront convention center Saturday and Sunday, will be 40 percent larger than last years, with more than 1,000 travel pros staffing 200 booths representing cruise lines, tour operators and tourism bureaus, from New Zealand to Israel. U-T San Diego is among several sponsors of the show.

All I know is everything online looks great but when you come to our show, you have 1,200 experts who fly in to meet people who like to travel, said Golicz, CEO of Unicomm, which operates similar shows in six other cities across the country. They might be the tour operator or guide or someone who works for the tourism board who will tell you the information you cant get anywhere else.

With the travel industry continuing to rebound at an impressive pace since recession-era lows, industry purveyors are taking advantage of consumers abiding interest in travel, a passion that has never faded, says travel expert Peter Greenberg, who has spoken at previous travel shows but will not be a featured speaker in San Diego. Overseas travel, especially, continues to grow in popularity, he noted.

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Journey around the world at travel show