(NEXSTAR) — As Americans feel the strain on their finances tightening, some households might decide against traveling this year to cut costs. However, for those who still wish to leave home, various bargains are available.
As the tourism industry
braces for a tough year
American tourists might hit the jackpot by stumbling upon great bargains or discovering lesser-known destinations with fewer crowds.
“It’s two-pronged,” stated the Senior Editor at The Points Guy.
Becky Blaine
On one side, many destinations and hotels will provide discounts to lure travelers. Conversely, we may experience lower total visitor numbers, implying spots such as your national parks could remain relatively uncrowded.
Recall the initial summer of 2020 during the pandemic,” she said. “I decided to take my loved ones on an expedition spanning nine days across several western national parks. Our journey led us from Utah right up to Wyoming, visiting iconic places like Yellowstone, Grand Teton, and Arches National Park. I thought these sites might remain unusually unpopulated due to halted global tourism. Now though, although international travel restrictions have eased, there isn’t as much interest.
We’re not seeing the same level of travel disruptions as we did in 2020, yet significant doubts persist about how underwhelming tourism will be for this year.
“We’re pretty much facing this uncertain summer in many aspects,” stated Blaine.
Communities close to national parks worry that a decrease in summertime visits will result in reduced tourist spending.
Other destinations that depend significantly on global travelers are likewise preparing for consequences.
Las Vegas tourism report
Released just last month, data indicated that both visitation rates and hotel occupancy saw declines compared to the previous year.
Blaine suggested that when searching for hotel deals, consider aiming for “tier one” locations.
When we refer to ‘tier one,’ it typically means that when someone new arrives in the United States, they often put checking out one of those major cities at the top of their list.
Cities such as New York, California, and Florida attract many international visitors, but they might now aim to entice more local tourists by offering reduced rates. Additionally, the stunning vistas of the American West typically appeal greatly to Europeans—who may or may not visit this year.
From what I gathered personally while looking into vacations around early June,” Blaine shared in mid-May, “you can still reserve lodges in Grand Teton National Park. Additionally, you can secure campsites at Grand Canyon National Park. This level of availability is quite unusual.
Those looking for cheap travel need to keep their eyes peeled for sales and limited-time deals, Blaine said. She rattled off several hot sales happening in May, such as a New York to Hawaii roundtrip flight for $449 (usually over $800). For those booking with points, American Airlines had great values to Barcelona and Air France had a deal to Athens, she said.
The Points Guy
and other
travel publications
share updates on this kind of deal frequently.
To significantly reduce your travel expenses this year, being flexible is crucial. If you’re adaptable regarding both the time and location, consider looking into ongoing travel deals and choose accordingly. Additionally, you might want to investigate further.
Google Flights
This allows you to search for affordable flights departing from your local airport to destinations worldwide.
You could utilize the exploration map to browse throughout the U.S. and think, ‘I simply want to head out somewhere; I’m open-minded.’ ‘Who has some affordable flights?’ Start with that approach if you do not have a specific location in mind.
People who do not have children enrolled in schools might want to plan their summer trips for late September or early October instead. This way, they could benefit from lower prices once the season winds down. Additionally, Blaine suggested that traveling on days when holidays occur, such as the Fourth of July, can help reduce expenses as well.
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