Soaring oil prices, financial strain, and job instability may have slowed down summer travel, but those factors have yet to bring travel plans to a halt.
According to a recent Associated Press poll, 42 percent plan to travel this summer, compared to 49 percent in 2005, a seven percent decrease.
“We have not seen much difference in customers traveling. It seems to be the same as in the past. People feel they need family time together,” Joan Homra of Leader Travel in Fulton said.
Individuals who earn $100,000 per year and up are more likely to take vacations this summer.
Those earning less, seem to stay closer to home or opt out of summer vacations this year according to recent poles.
“The biggest concern most people have is costs and passports. Everybody wants the best deal,” Valerie Bynum, travel agent for Leader Travel in Fulton said. According to Bynum, although she has sold several flights, many people continue to drive, despite gasoline prices.
Although Americans continue to book summer vacations, many seem to make trade-offs to offset travel cost.
Those trade-offs include staying with family members as opposed to paying hotel costs and using frequent flyer miles or credit card rewards.
Cruises can also offset travel cost, since meals and lodging are paid in advance.
“Companies such as Disney are definitely offering better deals. Just about everybody is offering free nights,” Bynum added.
Other popular money saving strategies include booking vacations closer to the date of travel to take advantage of last minute deals and choosing destinations where the dollar goes further.
According to Bynum, June and July are the most popular months to travel.
Flexibility with travel dates can pay off, as the best travel deals occur mid-week, according to The Financial magazine.
