Travel Trends in 2009 - How Americans Will Vacation This Year

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Fireworks in Washington, DC (Harold Neal)One year rolls out, a new year begins. It’s been a long time - a lifetime, for some - since a year has started with so much uncertainty about what the future holds. Those of us even tangentially related to the travel and tourism industry have specific concerns: Will be lowered economic forecast result in significantly less people traveling? It’s a legitimate concern, after all - people worried about making ends meet aren’t going to spend much of their savings on an expensive vacation. So, what’s in the forecast for 2009 travel trends?

There have been at least a couple of surveys that indicate that travel will be different in 2009 than in years past. PhoCusWright reported on travel consumer trends and noted that online travel planning is growing exponentially, whereas “brick and mortar’ travel agents have had some struggle to make ends meet. STAA (Specialty Travel Agents) has found that culinary travel, sustainable travel, and several locations such as Thailand and Portugal lead the way in terms of 2009 travel trends. This is markedly different than their 2008 travel trends.

In terms of vacations with children, most family travel planning is done by the mothers, and online. One thing travelers are going to have to do differently as a strategy in 2009, is increase their awareness of online travel planning’s capabilities, strengths and limitations. I strongly recommend looking at the websites of hotels in a travel planner’s desired destinations, as deals are often found there that won’t be found anywhere else. There are some very good general information travel sites too. Budget is the paramount issue for many travel lovers this year: We can take that extra hour online to save a bundle. The travel industry realizes that vacations are one of the first line items cut from a tightening budget in a recession, and are responding with some great packages and deals that really bring the cost down. Consumers just have to know where to look. That is, in my view, the most important strategy for budgeting a vacation in 2009.

I also believe, after attending the Luxury Travel Expo in December, that travel agents and people in sales and marketing are nervous about the upcoming year. They hope for the year-to-year rates to at least be flat (economic indicators point to falling rates, though, what with the price of airfare and other, more personal, factors) for US travelers. Their own financial health depends on it, of course, and they’re people like anyone else. However, internationally, we’re seeing a lot more travelers. Especially from Germany; Germans have the highest rate of international travel per capita of any European country. There are presumed to be a lot of international travelers coming from China and Japan this year, as well. So, will 2009 be a good year for travel? Sounds wishy-washy, but the short answer is; it depends. I’m, obviously, a strong proponent of travel and the lifelong memories it creates. A family budget spent on even a weekend getaway gives a valuable experience to our children and ourselves - more valuable than another weekend in front of the television, certainly.

There are many reasons to hope for an economic turnaround in the USA. The health and viability of the travel industry is just one of many.

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January 1, 2009 | Filed Under Adventure Travel, Budget Travel, Culinary Travel, Destinations, Eco Travel, Family Travel, Flying High, Luxury Travel, Travel News 

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13 Responses to “Travel Trends in 2009 - How Americans Will Vacation This Year”

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  1. RaysAdventures says:
    January 1, 2009 at

    Those travelers that are not hurt by the economic downturn are in a good position to find some very good deals. Many hotels in the popular tourist destinations are offering big discounts to attract travelers, even airlines are making adjustments.

  2. iluvtravel says:
    January 3, 2009 at

    After speaking with many luxury travel advisors and Virtuoso themselves, as well as many other travel agents, I have heard almost the exact opposite from what you have mentioned. At least here in Canada. Travel Agents are making a come-back up here and the rich are still rich. Therefore, luxury travel sales are actually, as they are calling it, “recession-proof”. I have also heard Greece, Spain, Portugal and Egypt are the places to be in 2009.

  3. iluvtravel says:
    January 3, 2009 at

    Sorry,correction: not Virtuoso themselves - Virtuoso AGENCIES themselves : )
    By the way, I am really uncertain that anybody really knows what is going on with the economy! In the summer of 2008, analysts were saying oil was to reach $200 per barrel. How right was that? It’s hard to predict anything. But I loved reading your article : ) Thank you for it!

  4. Plane Tickets says:
    January 6, 2009 at

    wow,Great blog it give the information about travel future trends and help to all traveler those who are planing adventure travel in 2009 and wants to explore knowledge about travel related term.

    Thank you
    James Adersion
    http://www.globester.com

  5. hauteroute says:
    January 6, 2009 at

    At NileGuide, we’ve posted our Top 10 2009 predictions for the year in travel. Check it out here and let us know if you agree: http://blog.nileguide.com/2008/12/22/our-crystal-ball-top-ten-travel-predictions-for-2009/

  6. Lopar says:
    January 19, 2009 at

    It will be interesting to how the market adjusts for any downturn during 2009. There are lots of great travel destinations for a budget holiday, so for many areas it might actually see more tourism than previous years.

  7. Televisions 4 Less says:
    January 20, 2009 at

    Thanks to share this. Would be great if i can do that also ;-)

  8. MudslideMama says:
    January 22, 2009 at

    Lopar, you raise an excellent point. While luxury travelers and their destinations/hotels of choice (think Paris and the 4 Seasons’ George V) may be somewhat buffered, most of us “regular folk” travelers would be smart to find relatively inexpensive vacation destinations either closer to home, or in places like Croatia (which you represent): You know, far more affordable European destinations than France and the UK.

  9. cottageguru says:
    January 24, 2009 at

    PhoCusWright also reported the growth in vacation rentals as an alternative to traditional hotel accommodation. Here in Ontario, we are already experiencing an increase in bookings over 2008, which seems driven by a desire to stay closer to home. There’s lots of interest from the US particularly from the states within a 24 hour drive. Renting a vacation home is affordable and allows two families to vacation together at a really good price.

  10. Renata Gozdziak says:
    January 30, 2009 at

    PS — found you from the bloggie awards site — v. nice !!

  11. Guam-Hotel.Net » Blog Archive » Free or Cheap Things to Do in Las Vegas, Nevada says:
    February 11, 2009 at

    [...] Developers built more and bigger casinos, housing was booming, and tourists spent their vacation dollars at poker tables and extravagant live entertainment.  We’re not even talking that long ago - [...]

  12. Peter Grubb says:
    February 26, 2009 at

    Given that culinary and responsible travel are supposed to be trends this year, the adventures we offer should be well positioned. However, people are still being cautious and most folks I know in the adventure business are seeing a drop in business ranging from 20-40%, as are we. We’ll know in a year how prescient the forecasts were or weren’t. I’ve been an outfitter and adventure travel company owner for 30 years and one thing that’s true is that people will keep seeking out experiences that enrich their lives, in whatever fashion they think that is. The intrinsic value of travel remains unaltered, regardless of how many people choose to travel. One of the exciting trends I see is that more people are seeking authentic travel - rafting in the wilderness, biking and hiking trips that mix with the locals, taking the slow roads and staying in locally owned properties. I keep hoping that in this economically difficult times people will be even more motivated to leave behind the uninspiring all-inclusive resorts, the insulating cruise line experiences, etc. Likely that is too optimistic. But I hope this will be true because this is the most important thing travelers can do. Make responsible choices about how they travel, how their travels benefit local communities and economies and all the things that go along with sustainable travel. Especially seeking those travel experiences that bridge cultures and create the connections between people that leads to deeper understandings and compassion between us all.

  13. peter Pauker says:
    April 14, 2009 at

    great reading

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