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DEL.ICIO.USWill your next travels be leaner and greener?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Like many people right now, I am focused on getting through the coming weeks of holiday shopping, shipping and traveling. I haven’t thought about journeys - near or far - that might take place in the year 2009. Even as I try to navigate the next 20-something days, the postal service is already delivering piles of brochures from destinations past - all begging me to look beyond the New Year toward my next great travel adventure.
Holidays notwithstanding, I would probably still find it difficult to book a big trip right now. Economic uncertainty and a family of five rarely add up to an exotic or expensive getaway. While singles or couples without children may afford the next travel season better than a large family, the economy will likely affect most everyone’s travel decisions.
Earlier this fall, TripAdvisor released its top travel trends for 2009. Even before some of the worst market slides had occurred, the survey showed Americans’ travels will be a little leaner in 2009. In addition, more travelers said they would choose a “greener” vacation as well. The results? Seventy-three percent of American travelers are predicted to visit a national park in 2009 (an 11 percent increase over 2008’s estimates). The numbers of travelers who will spend their breaks hiking, cycling or participating in other adventure or sports activities are also expected to increase.
“[Travelers] plan to be more environmentally-conscious, and will be more active outdoors this year, taking advantage of some of the outstanding resources in the U.S., such as our beautiful national parks,” Michele Perry, vice president of global communications for TripAdvisor, said in release announcing the travel trend results.
Traditional beach breaks and city sightseeing vacations are by no means out. Sixty-one percent of respondents still plan to head to the seaside next year, and 60 percent hope to tour a city. However, fuel costs will play a major role in destination choice for 61 percent of travelers; and half will postpone or limit travel in Europe next year because of exchange rates. (The dollar-euro exchange yesterday was $1.27 and the dollar-British pound rate was $1.48.) Eighteen percent even say they might opt for a “staycation” at or nearby home next year. For the rest of TripAdvisor’s 2009 travel trends, check out this link.
Next week, we’ll go back to full-on holiday mode, but this week, I wanted to ask… how do you feel about traveling next year? What do you think of the list of travel trends? Will 2009 be a leaner and/or greener travel year for you?
Is the economy affecting the number of trips you plan to take? The length you stay? Will it play a role in determining your destination? Or how you plan to get there?
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By clyde
December 3, 2008 9:40 AM | Link to this
My traveling days are over.After retirement I had planned to travel widely in the U.S. ,but I now see that as an excess that is to be avoided.My travel now is restricted to necessary trips.I used to jump out of bed at 2 AM and drive 250 miles just to eat breakfast at a restaurant I really liked.My wife and I took week long sojurns to places of interest,always driving.Today we stay home.Our longest trip in 2008 was 18 miles one way,so we can’t cut much in 2009.Last week we used $11 worth of gasoline.This week it will be about the same.
By bbb
December 3, 2008 10:40 AM | Link to this
Travel will be less in 2009. Think about vacation. Do you feel like you are ENTITLED to one? Who told you that?
I know who. Television. TV is an advertising box that tells you that you do not have enough, that you are not thin enough, rich enough, and that if you have things people will love you.
Not to get all Eastern on you but Americans need to shift their perspective and eliminate the desire to have. I think we would be a lot happier and less in debt.
The TV is a distraction. From what?
By On The Road Again
December 3, 2008 12:04 PM | Link to this
We don’t plan to reduce our travel in 2009, but will look for better hotel, air and car deals, as they are out there. We are an empty nester couple in our late 40s and travel a decent bit. One day we may not have the money or health and plan to see and do as long as we can. We will do our annual California trip in May that cost less in 2008 than a week in Destin. Priceline and Hotwire will get us where we want to go. Travel is our vice and plan to get and see the world as this is the best education and life experience anyone can have.
By Renee
December 3, 2008 1:47 PM | Link to this
I’m with “On the Road.” We are also in our 40s without kids and travel a good bit. Greener is good but I do not anticipate leaner in any significant way. We have usually chosen trips based on where we find a good deal, and that will not change. We did change plans last December due to the lousy exchange rate we were going to Europe in December, but we traded Christmas markets and mulled wine for howler monkeys and rum drinks in Costa Rica.
By Sightseer
December 4, 2008 9:53 AM | Link to this
I will continue to travel, but look for bargains and less expensive destinations. In October I found a flight to Costa Rica for $200 round trip and my hotel averaged out to $45/night. Finding bargains like this require flexibility and spontaneity, so that will probably be a theme for 2009.
By Carol Weaver
December 9, 2008 4:38 PM | Link to this
We may have gotten into the habit of taking travel for granted. Now with tougher economic times, perhaps we will all appreciate travel more. Maybe we will look for ways to get the most out of our vacations - like experiencing museums and touring natural areas - so that we can learn more about our country.
My husband and I still plan to travel. We likely will stick to driving this year with no flights. That is both because of the expense and the hassle of flying.