|
Recession creates a buyer's market for travelers
Senior Reporter Have bargain, will travel.
For intrepid consumers who have the funds, the economic downturn has created an opportunity. Deep discounts on accommodations.
Clare Williams, Traveler's Fare Inc. of Brainerd, who has 31 years experience in the travel industry, said there are multiple places to go for affordable four-day trips. Options include Las Vegas, San Diego, Myrtle Beach.
Williams said for customers who just want a getaway but don't have a particular destination in mind she is able to look for deals and then e-mail them photos of prospective hotels with multiple travel arrangements - by air, car or rail.
Room rates are negotiable with places offering 40 percent, 50 percent and even 65 percent off regular prices.
"So the values are terrific," Williams said. "So it's definitely a buyer's market."
The message to travelers may be if they have a desire to go and can pull the resources together this year - do it.
After 31 years in the travel industry, Williams said this year has been different and the recession has made lodging establishments hungry for guests.
"This is new territory," Williams said. "The values are great."
Tam Paulson, PTS Tours, Brainerd, works with escorted travel for international and domestic trips and cruises. She said customers are able to pay one fee and have meals, travel and accommodations taken care of along with someone with them so they feel comfortable on the trip.
PTS Tours has excursions planned to the nation's capital, trains of the Appalachians, scenic trains of New England, Alaska, New York, Italy and Branson, Mo. and Ireland. Forty people are typically in the group trips.
Another option with PTS Tours is a mystery trip. Participants just come packed and with a passport. This year, the group went to Turkey. Every year the destination changes. Paulson said it sells out.
"They get to know (the destination) a half hour to an hour before we get to the airport," Paulson said.
She said cruise ships have also offered major discounts with trips, not including travel to the ship, running $299 to $399 earlier this year. Paulson said with the number of people who decided to not travel in 2009 because of the economy, there is pent-up demand. A cooler than normal summer, gloomy fall weather and the promise of approaching winter may rival the economy as a driving force for 2010.
"People around here just want to get away," Paulson said.
RENEE RICHARDSON may be reached at renee.richardson@brainerddispatch.com or 855-5852.
To Subscribe to the Brainerd Dispatch, Click Here.
Note: Comments are not edited and don't represent the views of The Brainerd Dispatch. Please read our posting rules in the terms of service policy. To report a post that may be inappropriate, click the triangle alert icon.
|
|
Top Commented Articles
