Recent Travelocity data shows that despite record high airfares (12 percent higher than 2007 / 15 percent higher than 2006) and an unpredictable travel landscape, there are still no big indicators of a slowdown in summer demand. But coming off of a strong Spring Break, travel suppliers are watching with a close eye to see if summer keeps pace.
As the industry responds to mounting fuel prices with everything from new baggage fees to cancellation policies, deep discounts in time for summer have yet to be seen. Travelers seem relatively undeterred, although their strategy appears to have changed. Now travelers are booking more packages, seeking value-driven buys and considering drive destinations or home-port cruise vacations as further ways to save. Many travelers are also opting to cut their vacations short, which is still another way to save this summer. Travelocity data shows the length of stay averaging 7 days domestically and 12 internationally is down year over year (2 percent domestically and 5.3 percent internationally).
With simple mistakes costing hundreds of dollars due to a new set of policies in play this summer, such as new baggage fees going into effect in May, cost-conscious consumers can break their summer budgets if they don’t know before they go. Travelocity outlines four easy steps to knock $500 off a summer vacation while outlining some of the season’s hotspots. “Despite higher prices, there are good ways to save this summer,” according to Amy Ziff, Travelocity editor-at-large. “Savvy travelers will know the rules while taking advantage of these savings.”
Four Steps to Saving $500
1. Book a Vacation Package. Bundling your airfare, hotel, and any other extras together saves you $100s. Savings: $240 on average.
2. Pack light and smart – check in one bag per passenger. United, U.S. Airways, Delta, Northwest, American and Continental, among others, recently announced they will charge an extra $25 to check a second bag. Savings: $50 Round Trip (RT).
3. BYOF – Bring your own food. Most airlines don’t have free food on domestic flights, but they will gladly sell you a snack for about $5. Bring your own food and just take the free beverage. Savings: $10 RT.
4. Maximize time and pay less. Fly out Saturday morning instead of Friday. With the average nightly rate of a U.S. hotel room topping $100 according to Smith Travel Research, consider the early morning flight instead. On your return date, request a late checkout and leave your bags with the front desk to enjoy a full day’s worth of beach going or sightseeing because you’re taking an evening flight home. Savings: $200.
Be strategic about where you’re going and you can save this year. While domestic fares are higher on average, many international fares remain relatively flat and those places will likely attract visitors - especially places like Eastern Europe, Asia, Central and South America, Mexico and the Caribbean. Travelers are shifting away from traditional European destinations and looking towards less expensive alternatives. Top booked INTERNATIONAL destinations for summer include:
- Cancun
- San Jose Cabo
- Puerto Vallarta
- London
- Dominican Republic
- Jamaica
- Aruba
- Bahamas
- Rome
- Vancouver
Top booked DOMESTIC destinations for summer include:
- Las Vegas
- Orlando Area
- New York City
- Los Angeles
- Seattle
- South Florida
- Honolulu
- Denver
- San Francisco
- Kahului Maui
For more information visit http://windowseat.travelocity.com.
About Travelocity
Travelocity® is committed to being the traveler's champion -- before, during and after the trip – and provides the most comprehensive and proactive guarantee in the industry (http://www.travelocity.com/guarantee). This customer-driven focus, backed by 24/7 live phone support, competitive prices and powerful shopping technology has made Travelocity one of the largest travel companies in the world with gross bookings of more than U.S. $10 billion in 2007. Travelocity also owns and operates: Travelocity Business® for corporate travel; igougo.com, a leading online travel community; lastminute.com, a leader in European online travel; and ZUJI, a leader in Asia-Pacific online travel. Travelocity is owned by Sabre Holdings Corporation, a world leader in travel marketing and distribution.
Contacts:
Amanda Borichevsky, 972-488-4790
amanda@vollmerpr.com
or
Ashley
Johnson, 972-488-4790
ashley@vollmerpr.com
