I came across this article on CNN on the 9 reasons people will not be traveling next year. There are some good points, but I would like to suggest a different point of view.

We all agree that 2008 has brought about drastic economic changes in this country.  However, we find that consumers are still traveling.

Vacation budgets:  It’s hard to imagine setting aside money for a vacation, but small adjustments make it very possible to include a vacation in your budget. Cosmos tours recently launched a campaign called “A little change could go a long way.” Cut out just a few stops at the specialty coffee shops and you an enjoy a delectable taste of the real thing on the other side of the globe. 20 grand lattes = 1 grand day in Italy or a couple of days on a National Park tour. It’s that simple.

The article points out that people feel uncertain about the future. After 9/11 we as a country learned that life brings unexpected challenges, tragedies and fear, but these emotions in many cases bring people together, and makes families and individuals want to enjoy their lives more. Even as we were uncertain of the security in our country and what the the future would bring, there was a significant increase in pregnancies after the terrorist attacks. Logic would have suggested the opposite – why bring a child into an uncertain world? You could argue that uncertainty makes people realize the value of living a meaningful and fulfilling life, providing a constant source for inspiration to work hard towards these goals.

Staying at home and seeing local attractions can be monotonous, so people will want to venture away from home. Why not take a driving vacation through New England or the National Parks? Rafting trips in the Midwest are also very affordable. A good travel agent can help you think “out of the box” and find the right trip for your family.

The article mentions that deals are good, but consumers feel they could be lower. Cruises are going for as low as $99 for 3 days…we just  booked a client on a 3 day NCL cruise in March, balcony cabin for $306 pp and the promotion included a $40 ship board credit. Worried about onboard expenses? You can go on a cruise and spend little money out of pocket.  Read our blog for some great ways to save while on your next cruise!

Another point, was that people don’t feel like traveling right now. Each time a new ship came out this year we saw a spike in interest to experience them.  We were part of the Inaugural cruises for both the Celebrity Solstice and Ruby Princess, and consumer excitement in both of these ships was evident with the surge of bookings for these ships. The Oasis of the Sea is not sailing until November 2009, but consumers could not wait to begin booking the world’s largest cruise ship when reservations opened in September of this year.

Stress! Plunging markets. Shaky mortgages. Pricey bailouts. The financial crisis is taking a toll on budgets, but could also be affecting people’s health. Stress has been linked to overeating, heart disease, high blood pressure, depression and more. Relaxation is key, and what better way to relax than to take a short vacation?

Hiking, biking, river rafting, cooking and wine tours have all increased in popularity over the past several years. We also see increased bookings for family travel to the Galapagos, Alaska, Costa Rica, Canada, Hawaii and Europe as these itineraries ensure that there are plenty of activities for both adults and children. People are interested in travel, they just seem to be looking for new destinations and experiences.

The article also suggests that the travel industry is not offering enough incentives. Early payment discounts, payment plans and incentives are in place for several tour companies and cruise lines. For the month of January, many cruise lines have not only lowered fares,  but they are reducing the deposit required  by 50% to make a reservations. The airline industry should be dropping prices as they start to purchase new fuel contracts at lower rates, but there are plenty of vacation alternatives close to home if they don’t. Purchasing from a travel agency could also give you some added benefits such as savings on travel insurance, complimentary shore excursions, onboard credits and more at no additional cost to the consumer.

Last but not least, it seems that many consumers are planning their trips for 2010.  It’s okay to plan ahead, but keep in mind that as the economy recovers, the prices will start to go back up. With cruises, consumers can get a full refund of their deposit up to the time of final payment, so there is no risk in booking early to take advantage of these great promotions. Many insurance policies will offer coverage that allow travelers to cancel for any reason, (including work related issues.)  This is another advantage of booking with a travel agent, as booking direct may not always provide consumers the option to purchase the type of insurance coverage they need.

The article closes by stating that for those that do travel in 2009, even a small budget could offer a wonderful, and rewarding experience. You can read other great reasons to travel in 2009 in the article Thank you! 6 reasons we love to Travel Now.

We’d love to hear about your travel plans for 2009.