Yes, I read the newspapers, watch TV and listen to the radio and have looked at my 401K statement recently.  Sad, very sad, but instead of the doom and gloom you are hearing at every turn I thought I would remind you that the sky is not going to fall.  We know our economy goes through cycles, so for anyone over 30, this is nothing new.  And while this recent market fall may seem more dramatic than in the past, I would remind you that the gains have been also.  Like you, I don’t know that I can do anything about it, so in the meantime; I’m going to plan to travel…Now!   Here’s three reasons why.

Like many people I did the summer “staycation” where you take time off from work and stay home.  I live in coastal Maine and I have a nice boat so for me it really wasn’t much of a sacrifice.  But, with millions of Americans taking a staycation this summer, hoteliers, restaurateurs, attractions and rental companies have gotten a little nervous, actually a lot nervous, and they are cutting prices… really cutting prices! This is what we are calling the “Staycation Effect” and you will benefit by getting big travel savings on hotels, cruises and all-inclusive packages if get out from under your bed cover and start planning! 

Reason #1:  Destinations that have not been on sale for decades are now having fire sales.  Hawaii, for one has had a double whammy suffering not only from the staycation effect but also from a drastic reduction in the number of flights to the islands.  This summer for the first time in decades, hotels in Hawaii started to whisper the “D” word for discount!  While the trade warned against discounting room rates and some even suggested they should raise rates to offset lost revenue from reduced occupancy, the idea quickly folded like a cheap pup tent in a mid-winter Nor’easter, which by the way, is coming to your town soon!  If you have ever wanted to visit Hawaii now might be the right time.  Hawaii is by no means the only big name destination on sale; According to a recent survey Las Vegas is seeing its lowest hotel rates in five years and nationally hotel occupancy is down 11% over last year.  Offers such as stay three nights get the fourth night free, stay now and receive discounts on future stays and free gas cards are common value added incentives from hoteliers in hopes of putting more heads on beds.

Reason #2: Good deals come in packages.  It is generally agreed that you can buy a vacation package that includes hotel, air, and a rental car for much less than you can buy them separately.  Travel specials are spitting out of fax machines and flooding the in-boxes of travel agencies nationwide on a daily basis and those that plan ahead will benefit the most in terms of value, plus they will have the best selection of available travel dates.   Most travel agencies use suppliers that offer many of the same packages to the same hotels and same destinations.  Among the suppliers competition for fewer travel dollars is heating up.  I suggest you use an experienced travel agent that can tell you what’s hot and what’s not and exactly where the best travel bargains really are.   

Reason #3:  The clock is ticking and none of us are getting any younger.  I’ve heard many stories, always told in the past tense, from those planning to take a once in a lifetime trip, only to have life and unforeseen circumstances dash their dream.  I’m sure at the time they thought they had good reasons to postpone their travel plans.  Perhaps then, like now, the economy didn’t seem right, or they were waiting to save a little more money, waiting for more time off, waiting for kids to finish college, for the cat to die, for retirement… for?   In a past life I worked in at a hotel with a guy that had a large family and a job that barely paid him a living wage, but he told me once “I can afford to travel anywhere I want, I just have to make it a priority!”  I don’t recall that he ever went anywhere, but the sentiment is absolutely true.     

Winter will soon be upon us and the Old Farmer’s Almanac predicts colder than normal temperatures for the Northeast and last year’s record snowfall will be more than just a distant memory… it will be our daily reality.

In the words of Mark Twain, "Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn't do than by the ones you did do... Explore. Dream. Discover."  I encourage you take advantage of “these times” and travel now as deals like this come along about once each generation. You can always take another staycation next summer! 

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