I hear on the news every day about government bail outs and bankrupcies and this recession that we're trying to avoid. Despite this, flights for - well, anywhere - are sold out this Christmas, and flights & packages for this coming spring are almost sold out already!
In recent years I've been surprised to see how many people seem to be choosing not to exchange gifts with family members, but rather to go away on holidays to some great beach location. This year, despite the economic downturn, travel is busier than ever.
My colleagues and I are perpetually shocked to see flight availability disappear within minutes of giving a quote, and some destinations are sold out until late January. Even regular spring holidays (excluding spring break) are so busy that it's almost impossible to get a group quote for an extended family of 10. The tour operator's flight schedules have been in place for some time, so it's not as if there are less planes in the air - there's just more people traveling.
I read the other day that a US-based travel company surveyed their clients to find out if they'd be spending less on travel with the recession in the States. The overwhelming response was that people would still travel because they deserved it and needed to rejuvenate themselves. Interesting, coming from a country where Vegas hotel rates are almost free these days.
So what's the message here?
Book earlier than later. Don't wait for a seat sale - the sales are already on. If you wait, you just won't be going anywhere.
Having said that, I do predict that Wesjet will come out gangbusters in January again (remember last year's 2008 sale, with $20.08 flights all over Canada?). And they're great for offering outstandingly cheap flights to sun destinations like Cancun, Jamaica, and now, Dominican Republic.
So go on, book spring holiday before there are no seats left on the plane, and take advantage of some great deals.
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