For those who still have a little money in their accounts, 2009 may prove to be a great year to travel.
Exchange rates are favorable in Canada and Europe and travel experts predict that in a recession, hotels and airlines will be forced to run tons of sales.
TravelMole said:
The value of the U.S. dollar is on the rise, gas prices are at their lowest levels in four years and hotel rates are softening. If you can afford a vacation, 2009 will be "the year of travel deals," predicts Genevieve Shaw Brown, senior editor of Travelocity. "As long as the economic slowdown continues, deals will abound for people who do have discretionary income to travel."
Pauline Frommer, the guidebook writer, agreed. "Because of the sharp drop off in bookings, we're seeing some pretty deep discounts to just about everywhere," she said, citing as an example Walt Disney World's offer of seven nights for the price of four. "It's definitely going to be a buyers' market next year."
But even though travel is becoming more affordable, more people are expected to stay home due to the recession. The Travel Industry Association predicts a 1.3 per cent drop in 2009 leisure travel.
