Rudy Maxa, aka “The Savvy Traveler,” is one of America’s premier consumer travel experts whose writings and radio and television shows have helped save thousands of travelers’ time and money. A former Washington Post reporter, Rudy is a contributing editor with National Geographic Traveler and Delta Air Lines’ Sky magazine. His nearly 100 public television episodes on the great destinations of the world have numerous awards including several Emmy Awards. The television series he hosts, “Smart Travels: Europe with Rudy Maxa,” has won numerous CINE Golden Eagle Awards, one of the highest awards a non-theatrical presentation can receive, as well as a Crystal Award of Excellence from The Communicator Awards. His weekend radio show, “Rudy Maxa’s World,” is the country’s most widely syndicated travel talk radio show, and recipient of the 2012 Gold Lowell Thomas Award from the Society of American Travel Writers, the highest honor given a travel radio show.

As a speaker, Rudy uses real-life (and often amusing) anecdotes to reveal travel secrets that can save audience members thousands of dollars while traveling. Infectious in his enthusiasm for travel, he explains why you should never pay full price for a last-minute international ticket; how to find the cheapest airfare, and why the Internet isn’t always the answer; how to negotiate hotel rates; and how to fly in the front of the plane without a business or first class ticket.

Rudy has written on travel topics for Forbes, Worth, GQ, The Washington Post, AARP Magazine, The Los Angeles Times, Travel & Leisure, Best Life, as well as National Geographic Traveler. And he’s a regular guest on network news shows commenting on travel issues.

An award-winning Washington Post investigative reporter for 13 years after graduating from Ohio University, Rudy was also a senior writer at the monthly magazine,  Washingtonian, for nine years and Washington bureau chief of SPY magazine for two years. His political scandal reportage was nominated for the Pulitzer Prize by The Washington Post, and he is the author of two non-fiction books.

Rudy Maxa Speaking Topic Choices

“Confessions of a Travel Junkie”

Rudy’s most popular speech for a general audience is a highly anecdotal and personal account of becoming a travel journalist and what it’s like shooting television shows in dozens of countries.  Among his stories: Why you should never climb aboard a camel named Katherine in Khiva, Uzbekistan (even though she is the only camel in town); how to avoid the dreadful lines at the Eiffel Tower; and why he thinks most Parisians are in an international witness protection program.

“The Eight Most Common Mistakes Travelers Make” 

A lively description of the mistakes even experienced travelers make as they seek the best airfare, hotel price, and rental car rate.  Rudy offers advice on the best time to buy an airline ticket to get the best price, how to get a better room at a luxury hotel, and why you shouldn’t have to pay retail when you rent a car. Plus: a host of other insider travel trips to help travelers save money and time.

“The Future of Travel”

We may not be getting from Point A to Point B via a Time Machine, but expect hotel rooms with walls that are giant screens bringing you your hometown news when you awake; cars that drive themselves; a return of super-sonic passenger air service; and themed hotels that are also medical centers, cooking schools, music centers, and other specialized, mini-theme parks.

“What Do Travelers Want, Anyway?”

Aimed at travel professionals, this presentation by Rudy dissects the rapidly changing hotel industry that’s facing the loss of business as Millennials turn to more personalized lodging options such as Airbnb; why airline passengers like Southwest despite its lack of assigned seating more than the traditional legacy airlines; and what constitutes the elusive “experiential travel” that “authentic travel” that appeals to today’s tourists.