Tag Archives: Tourism

Best Bargain Vacations

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As the evenings grow darker, many in northern climes would often be thinking about taking a vacation about now.  That is not a choice for many this year after the deep recession we have all undergone.  However for those who have funds, the New York Times suggests that it is high time to head South for hot deals.  If you are looking for a bargain vacation to tide you over until the holidays, then the article suggests you had better act fast.

While the travel industry is still hurting from the fallout, airlines, rental car companies and hotels have all been tweaking their businesses to ride out the downturn and push rates back up. And some of the efforts are working.

Bookings have begun to pick up in cities like New York and Chicago as business travel has begun to stir. That’s putting a damper on the deals that travelers have grown to expect. Meanwhile, the high season is approaching for cold-weather getaways like Hawaii and the Caribbean, which are hoping to make up for the revenue lost in the off-season months.

Nevertheless bargains are still to be found:

Expedia recently reported that air and hotel package prices for major destinations this fall have declined 29 percent compared with last season. And even with the latest round of capacity cuts, airlines continue to roll out aggressive sales. The average flier this fall is going to save about 10 percent compared with last year, said Joe Grus, the so-called fareologist at Bing Travel, the new Microsoft search engine that predicts airfare prices.

Some of the examples quoted in the article sound very promising:

  • Mexico – Chain hotels, with lots of rooms to sell, are offering some of the most aggressive deals.
  • Scottsdale, Arizona – Sprawling resorts, which were particularly hurt by the slowdown in conferences and meetings, are offering some of the deepest discounts.
  • Florida – Florida’s heavy reliance on tourism, combined with a glut of hotel rooms added before the downturn, made it among the most susceptible places to the recession.

If you are one of the lucky ones, then you will need to consider your choices very carefully.  Exploring discount travel opportunities is clearly the first priority.  This may well help you decide which of the possible venues you may visit.  To ensure you have a great time and do not forget your choice, it is important to carefully map out your budget so that your money does not run out before the end of your vacation stay.

However it is quite clear that for those who can afford it, now is the time to be making your vacation choice. The rest of us can only hope that the winter will not be too severe.

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Seniors Travel More

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There are more seniors and they travel more.  These aging boomers are beginning to redefine the travel industry.

The ranks of seniors will swell with a vast generation that’s healthier, more active and more discerning about travel than any before them.  “They want new experiences, they don’t want the beaten track,” says David Cravit, vice-president of ZoomerMedia, which handles communications for CARP, the Canadian association for the 45-plus. “Obviously, there’s an age at which I can’t hang-glide anymore, and that age might be 40 or it might be 80. Eventually, the physical constraints rule, but that doesn’t mean the experiential component has to vanish.”

One in seven Canadians is over age 65 and driven by the boomers and falling birth rates, the fastest-growing segment of the population is 55- to 64-year-olds.

Population aging will lessen demand for strenuous activities like skiing, canoeing and fishing, particularly in the winter months. On the other hand, “low energy activities” like museum visits, live theatre, wine or culinary experiences and historical sites are expected to get a boost.

Boomers are now the first generation with the money and technology to travel widely and  there is increased demand for more specialized educational and experiential travel, including hobby vacations, cargo ship cruises, “voluntourism” and literary-themed travel.

If you are such a senior traveler, then it is important to be well prepared and there are some important Senior Travel Tips you should be following:

  1. Pre-Planning for your Vacation: be thorough and watch that insurance.
  2. Packing:  keep important items with you at all times.
  3. Travelling with a Disability: if so, ensure the necessary help will be there for you.
  4. Pre-Trip Medical Check-Ups: make sure you are fit enough for your trip.
  5. Travelling with Medication: cover all contingencies.
  6. Clothing: be comfortable
  7. Exercise: keep at it
  8. Crossing Time Zones: how does that affect when medications are taken.
  9. Extra Care: watch out for infections
  10. Key information: keep those telephone numbers handy.

In particular, remember there are important changes in travel regulations in crossing the US/Canada border as of June 1, 2009 so you should check that you have the appropriate Passport Cards if you are a US citizen.

Beginning in June, travelers will be required to present documents proving citizenship and identity when entering the US through a land or sea border.  If you drive to Canada or Mexico or take a cruise, but do not plan to fly abroad, the passport card is cheaper and  smaller than the normal passport.  It  is not valid for air travel.  They are good for 10 years and cost $45.

You should check the Canada Border Services Agency website if you are a Canadian citizen who wishes to cross the border.  Happy travelling.

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