Travel in Tough Economic Times

Travel in Tough Economy

Travel agencies from coast to coast are counseling travelers on how to get the most value for every dollar spent. Actively advising clients of significant -- and in some cases, unheard of -- price reductions currently available, but also reassuring their would-be travelers how their decision to travel inherently stimulates a large and essential segment of the U.S. economy.

Some of those ways include taking advantage of travel incentives, promotions and price reductions; encouraging flexibility on time of travel, including traveling off-peak times as well as seasons; considering alternative airports, particularly in regions served by two or more airports; working with trusted travel suppliers, including air consolidators; using bundled tour packages, which can provide higher savings than pricing air, hotel and car rentals separately; comparing advantages of all-inclusive resorts with cruising; sailing out of home ports; and comparing advantages of flying with driving. Experts are also reassuring hesitant clients on the bigger picture by educating them about the enormous impact that travel and tourism has. According to the U.S. Travel Association (USTA), the annual spending on travel in the U.S. equals $740 billion. “That’s almost as much as the entire economic stimulus package passed by Congress,” Block said.

Studies demonstrate an actual decline in overall quality of life when consumers hold off on traveling. Two studies cited by the USTA reveal that travelers rate their overall health one full point higher (on a scale of one to five) while on vacation, and that an inability to take a break can lead to greater stress and burnout on the job.