Summer Is Here – It's Time for Vacation!
By Amy Ziff, Editor-at-Large
May 2006
I know it sounds absurd because it's only the middle of May, and the calendar says summer doesn't start until June, but Memorial Day weekend marks the kick off for summer travel. With the long weekend just around the corner summer really is almost here--especially because Memorial Day weekend is used as the summer travel indicator. By looking at the number of people traveling we can usually predict how many people will be traveling throughout the season, what prices will be like, and generally get a sense of what's in store.
The story this summer is price: Despite rising costs people are still on the go. AAA just announced their annual survey estimating a whopping 37.6 million people will be traveling this Memorial Day. While that's only a slight (1%) increase from last year, that's a huge number given that last year was a record breaking year combined with the fact that this year prices are higher than ever. The bottom line is that travel is strong.
Travel is strong despite fuel costs. It's no secret that most travelers are paying more than last year for their summer vacation. Airfares are up over 10% on average. More specifically, that means the average domestic summer airfare is $304 in 2006, up from $270 in 2005. International fares, not surprisingly, are priced even higher with averages around $692 for 2006, over $663 in 2005. Hotels are showing a similar story with prices up about $5 a day over last year and cars are showing more like a $6 increase year over year.
But don't despair! There are still ways to nab a deal. You just need to know where to look. And fortunately for you, I took a look and made it easy. Rather than giving you a long list of hot spots where others are headed, I've put together a list of the places where prices are actually holding steady or down year over year. When you think about it, if you can get an airline ticket that costs the same as last year, it's like you're saving more than 10 percent. Now who wouldn't love a deal like that?
If you're a bargain hunter you'll want to know that Aspen and Montrose Colorado, Monterey, CA, San Anotnio, TX and the US Virgin Islands all boast flight prices that are steady or down since last year. International destinations that are relative bargains this summer include: Cancun, Cabo, and Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, Bologna, Italy, as well as Edinburgh and Glasgow, Scotland.
Some other ways to save this summer include:
- Buying in a bundle: You can save as much as $200 on the average Total Trip for a family of four!
- Looking for value deals at hotels where you buy 3 nights and receive a 4th night free.
- Be flexible on date, time of day, airport as well as destination to hunt for the best deal possible.
Another consideration this summer is to take a cruise. Cruise prices were up the past few summers but they have finally started to come down. Imagine this: You can sail Alaska for 7 nights and spend only $100 a day! Also look for deals on cruises along the eastern seaboard over the Mediterranean. Or if a cruise isn't right for you, you may just want to roll the dice and wait until the very last minute. A last-minute deal may be just the ticket you need this summer.
And with that thought, I'm off on a summer trip of my own. See y'all when I'm back!
For more travel tips and advice, check out Amy Ziff's monthly column, Travel Trends & Advice from A to Z, at www.travelocity.com/atoz. To suggest a topic for a future column or to tell about a travel experience of your own, please email Amy Ziff at ask.amy@travelocity.com.
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