The travel industry changes very rapidly. Trends of two years ago are often reversed, and budget travel strategies that worked in the recent past might not be of much value today. That's why it's important to stay abreast of the latest developments. In 2005, About Budget Travel identified five trends that are probably still saving you money today. In no particular order, here are the five most promising trends of 2006, with links to more additional information.
American Express recently asked travel agents to identify trends in travel. More than three of four responded 2006 was a record year for luxury bookings. Why is such a finding on About Budget Travel? Even luxury travelers usually want value for their money. As luxury travel expands, there will be more travelers and more providers. Even at this level, they will face more pressure to price competitively. Here's hoping all of us make it to this category of travel shopping at some time in our lives. If you're already there, don't surrender value!
The
rise of budget airlines in Europe made the unthinkable possible: On some routes, it now is actually cheaper to fly than to take the train. But flying isn't always the best way to see the continent. Do you really want to fly across the Alps or Tuscany? Rail services are now offering more
deals to fight the budget airlines. Country pass choices expanded, and prices dropped for passes encompassing smaller areas such as a single country. It always pays to be certain you understand rail pass rules and restrictions before buying, but a second look at these deals could save you money and make your trip more memorable.
At one point in 2006, average gasoline prices in the U.S. were 70 cents/gallon higher than at the same time in 2005. For the first time, some drivers paid $100 USD (or the equivalent) to fill their tanks. The continued pressure on consumers drove more of them to fuel efficient alternatives:
train vacations where the car stays in the garage;
fuel-efficient cars that might not have received serious consideration below $2/gallon; and
close scrutiny of personal driving habits.
Beijing will host the 2008 Olympic Summer Games, and the Chinese government is looking for more attention leading up to that event. For that reason, more educational and business-oriented trips were made into China in 2006. China is larger in land area than the U.S. It offers fascinating and beautiful scenery. Bustling cities are prospering as western investments flow into them. Challenges remain: Booking by credit card in some areas is not possible. Barriers in philosophy and language are large. But look for more visitors as the 2008 Games approach. When travel patterns change, prices often change, too.
Few of us have time to thoroughly scour the Internet for the very best travel deals. Even with that luxury, would you enjoy yourself? Fortunately, the tools for finding prices on just about any journey are improving. There were at least five new services introduced in 2006 that show promise. In addtion, there are now 10 strong sites providing a variety of
hotel reviews that could save you from reserving at the wrong place or paying the wrong price.
