Economic downturn changing the way people travel

This information is from the HotelMarketing.com website.

From bargain hunting for accommodations to hopping in a car instead of on a plane, many individuals and companies are responding to the uncertain economic climate by adjusting their travel behaviors in 2009 to find more affordable ways to travel, but many aren’t eliminating travel plans altogether.
In a recent poll conducted by Harris Interactive®, 48% of U.S. adults say their financial situation is worse now than it was one year ago. For some that is translating into plans for fewer vacations and fewer dollars spent on leisure travel in 2009.
While almost half plan to travel just as much or more in 2009 as they did in 2008, two-fifths (38%) anticipate that the economy will have no impact on their travel plans, and 8% plan to travel more in the next 12 months than they did in 2008, nearly two-fifths (37%) of consumers say they are less likely to travel within the next 12 months due to economic conditions.
Other findings from the study include:
- Over one-fourth (27%) will decrease the duration of their leisure trips.
- Four in ten (40%) will reduce the amount of money they spend on leisure trips. Among these consumers looking to cut costs: Roughly three-fifths will find less expensive accommodations (62%), less expensive meal options (61%), or will look for less expensive activities (58%). Nearly half will reduce travel expenses by vacationing closer to home (48%), staying with friends/family instead of a hotel (46%), or reduce expenses by driving rather than flying (45%). One-third (34%) will stretch their vacation dollars by going on a “staycation” close to home or by sharing travel costs with friends or other families.
Companies are also changing their travel spending habits in 2009. Three in five (61%) people surveyed said their companies had changed their travel policies in last 12 months, and one in five (21%) said they were less likely to travel for business in 2009 than they were in 2008.
Reducing or eliminating nonessential travel was the most frequently reported method of cutting business travel expenses. Three in ten people (30%) reported that their companies had reduced or eliminated all nonessential travel, and 21% said their companies were using technology to reduce or eliminate travel costs. Other reported changes to company travel policies include encouraging day trips (13%), booking with hotels and airlines that provide preferred rates (12%), and enforcing per diem allowances (10%).
According to Allison Powell, Research Director of Harris Interactive’s Travel and Tourism practice, “The recent economic conditions of a declining U.S. dollar, mortgage foreclosures, and job losses are giving many consumers reason to reevaluate their vacation plans. The good news is that travelers are still taking vacations; however, the nature of their vacations has changed. From finding less expensive accommodations to taking a road trip rather than flying, consumers are finding ways to continue taking vacations. The question remains – how long will this trend last?”

Mexico travel promotion

If there is a bright side to the swine flu problem we are currently monitoring, it will be that travel to Mexico will eventually become an even better deal than it is right now. Hotels and resorts will do everything in their power to make sure you can get great prices, extra value added amenities, and many other specials not thought of yet. We do recommend you also purchase "Cancel for any reason" travel insurance, just in case. For our Twitter Travel Tuesday Special,On Tuesday, April 28th, Post Haste Travel will not charge a fee for any travel arrangements to Mexico, made today, for travel valued at $5000 or less. This offer is only available to Twitterers, for one day only, and has a value of from $25-$150. We will also make sure that you receive all available Virtuoso amenities, including room upgrades at time of booking or check-in, breakfasts included, and a nice gift or resort credit as available. Please call 800-881-7690 for Post Haste Travel. Visit our website to see other special offers. http://www.posthastetravel.com/ . Office hours are from 8:30 AM - 6 PM EST. Make sure to mention you saw this offer on Twitter. This offer is good for US citizens only.

And, for bookings on any Oceania Cruise made today you will receive an additional $100 shipboard credit. Please call the number above.

Twitter Travel Tuesday Special

Twitter Travel Tuesday Special
On Tuesday, April 21st, Post Haste Travel and Forever Cruising will not charge a fee for any travel arrangements made that day, for travel valued at $5000 or less. This offer is only available to Twitterers, for one day only, and has a value of from $25-$150. Please call 800-881-7690 for Post Haste Travel, and 800-338-8005 for Forever Cruising. Visit both websites to see special offers. http://www.posthastetravel.com/, and http://www.forevercruising.com/ . Office hours are from 8:30 AM - 6 PM EST. Make sure to mention you saw this offer on Twitter. This offer is good for US citizens only.

On any Oceania Cruise booking made today you will receive an additional $100 shipboard credit. Please call the numbers above.

Top 10 Tips for cruising

Top 10 Tips For Cruising

Virtuoso travel advisors are experts not only at booking your next voyage, but also at helping you recognize and plan for situations that may arise along the way. Here are our top ten tips for assuring a carefree cruise vacation.

• CHOOSE AN APPROPRIATE DESINATION- a romantic cruise throught the Greek Isles may be right for an anniverary. A cruise to the Caribbean is a good choice for younger kids, while teens are better able to appreciate Europe.
• CHOOSE THE RIGHT CRUISE LINE- Intimate ships are perect for a refined escape for two, but may not offer as wide a range of activities and amenitites
• GET ENOUGH SPACE-This is key. A standard ship stateroom my be large enough for a couple with young children, but too tight for teens. Consider a suite, or even adjoining rooms.
• CHECK ON CHILDREN'S AMENITIES- What are the minimum age requirements to participate in your ship's kids program? Does it offer after hours babysitting services? Are there any extra fees for certain activities? Our Virtuoso travel adviors can help.
• PRE-ORDER WINE AND DINE PACKAGES- May cruise lines offer special wine packages, allowing you to sample some of the finest vintages with dinner while saving 25 percent or more.
• BUY SODA CARDS FOR THE KIDS- Those fountain drinks can really add up on a cruise. Many ships offer prepaid all-you-can-drink cards for around the price of one soda a day.
• BOOK SPA APPOINTMENTS EARLY - More exotic and specialty spa appointments fill up quickly, especially on days when your ship is at sea. book yours soon after you embark, if not before.
• BOOK SHORE EXCURSIONS EARLY, TOO- Again, reseravations for the most popular shore excursions, as well as the most exclusive small-group tours, go fast. Our Virtuoso travel advisors can help you avoid disappointments.
• THINK SAFETY - Make sure the entire family attends and understands the ship's dafety drill. Make sure your kids memorize your stateroom number, and never allow children to wander without supervision.
• CONSIDER A PRE-CRUISE PACKAGE- Reduce the stress of getting to your ship on time by arriving in port a day or two early. Ask about Virtuoso Discoveries pre-cruise packages.
• CONTACT YOUR VITUOSO TRAVEL ADVISOR- We can make your cruise vacation virtually hassle free. Call us at 800-881-7690 to plan your voyage today!

Tips for Women traveling alone-attributed to Travel Agent Central

Admittedly, I copied this directly from Travel Agent Central. But it's very important for women to be able to travel safely by themselves or with friends. Here is very good advice!

Increasingly women are traveling alone, both for business and pleasure. While statistics are limited, an estimated 32 million single American women traveled at least once in the last year for business or pleasure, and a third of them made tracks five times or more, according to the Travel Industry Association.
Here’s a list of tips from the American Society of Travel Agents (ASTA) that you can share with your women clients traveling on their own to make their trip a safe and pleasant one:

Know Before You Go. Learn as much about the destination as possible, especially when traveling to a foreign country. An area's religious or cultural beliefs can directly impact you, compelling you to adapt your dress and demeanor to comply with local customs. Also, what is regarded as sexual harassment in one country is part of the social fabric of another, so avoid form-fitting or revealing clothing to prevent unwanted attention.

Welcome to Hotel Safety. Get to know the staff, who will be familiar with guests and are able to more effectively monitor who enters and exits the building. Ask beforehand if a member of the staff will be available to escort you to your room if you arrive late at night. Ask for a room on a higher floor near the elevator but away from emergency exits, stairwells and any renovation work. Never accept a room if the clerk loudly calls out your name and room number.While at the front desk, grab a card from the counter with the hotel's name, address and phone number on it, and keep this card on you at all times. Once inside your room, make sure the door has a peephole and a deadbolt. If it doesn't, make sure you don't open the door to someone you don't know.

Travel Documents. Make two copies of important travel documents—one set for the trip, and one for friends or family to keep at home.

Packing Smart. Pack light so you won't be weighed down and look weighed down, both of which would make you an ideal target for pickpockets. Avoid expensive-looking baggage and clothing, lock all suitcases and only use covered luggage with your office address written on it rather than your home. Carry only one credit card, and don't keep all your money in one place.

Transportation. Explore transportation options available at your destination ahead of time, especially if you will be arriving late in the evening. Travel agents can help determine the safest choice and make the necessary arrangements. If renting a car, carefully examine maps, write out directions in advance and bring along a cellular phone.Know Your Surroundings. Study a map of the area you will be visiting. Learn as much as possible about getting around the streets to avoid looking like a lost tourist. Ask the concierge about where—and, more importantly, where not—to go.

The Best Vacation Memories are Good Vacation Memories. There may be safety in numbers, but there is also safety in knowledge. With some advance planning and the advice of a professional travel agent, your vacation or business trip can be safe, hassle free and memorable.

Twitter Travel Tuesday Special

On Tuesday, April 13th, Post Haste Travel and Forever Cruising will not charge a fee for any travel arrangements made that day, for travel valued at $5000 or less. This offer is only available to Twitterers, for one day only, and has a value of from $25-$150. Please call 800-881-7690 for Post Haste Travel, and 800-338-8005 for Forever Cruising. Visit both websites to see special offers. http://www.posthastetravel.com/, and http://www.forevercruising.com/ . Office hours are from 8:30 AM - 6 PM EST. Make sure to mention you saw this offer on Twitter. This offer is good for US citizens only.

On any Oceania Cruise booking made today you will receive an additional $100 shipboard credit. Please call the numbers above.

Too much information

Is there too much travel information available today? Between travel websites, travel blogs, Twitter and all the other sources of data, it seems to me that we are inundated with so many offers that it is difficult to make an informed choice of any kind. You can look up airfares and book flights online, then have to continuously keep checking to see if there is a better deal to be had. Cruise lines have so many itineraries and added amenities,with so many different cabin categories, at so many different price points that you have to be a mathmetician to be able to figure out what is really the best deal. And back to those itineraries, where do you want to go? You can choose the same destinations on multiple carriers and other than the quality of food and service, among other things, you'll get to the same places and do and see the same things. So you have to choose what your priorities are and what you can afford. And cruise lines, too, are lowering prices daily. As travel consultants we get hundreds of new offers daily. Is this too much information? Is it confusing to you as travelers to receive direct mail, email promotions, web promotions constantly? Is there a best way to decide what to ignore? And how can you be sure that what you see is what you'll actually get when you finally decide where you want to go and how much you have to spend? Use your travel consultant to manage your travel. We can keep all your information updated and notify you of any changes. But I really want your opinion...are you seeing and receiving too much travel info? Please let me know.

Happy Twitter Travel Thursday

On Thursday, April 2, 2009, Post Haste Travel and Forever Cruising will not charge a fee for any travel arrangements made that day, for travel valued at $5000 or less. This offer is only available to Twitterers, for one day only, and has a value of from $25-$150. Please call 800-881-7690 for Post Haste Travel, and 800-338-8005 for Forever Cruising. Visit both websites to see special offers. http://www.posthastetravel.com/, and http://www.forevercruising.com/ . Office hours are from 8:30 AM - 6 PM EST. Make sure to mention you saw this offer on Twitter. This offer is good for US citizens only.

On any Oceania Cruise booking made today you will receive an additional $100 shipboard credit. Please call the numbers above.

Happy Twitter Travel Thursday!

Comments about our websites

I would like you to take a look at all three of our websites:
www.posthastetravel.com
www.forevercruising.com
www.ebonyheritagetravel.com

I'm looking for comments on user-friendliness, content, and design. Any other comments are also welcomed. You can comment here on the blog, on Twitter, @gdevita or @posthastetravel, or email me at grace@posthastetravel.com.

Thank you in advance for your input.