Holiday Traveling

Holiday Travel with The Travel Factory

The phrase in a song comes to mind “I’ll be home for Christmas, you can count on me”, go ahead, sing along with me!!

It looks like it’s going to be a truism for many Americans this year.  According to a marketing survey of 2300 active travelers by MMGY Global, more U. S. adults intend to travel between now and January 2014.  According to the survey, 59% intend to take one leisure trip between now and January, compared with 53% last year.  A vice-president of that marketing firm noted that “leisure travelers will continue to watch their spending and look for the best deals possible”.

We can tell you that the suppliers of travel, airlines, cruises, hoteliers, car rental agencies, all are aware of the interest in folks wanting to “go see Grandma” or just to get away from the routine during these holiday periods.  Because of this awareness, they adjust the rates upward, so the smart traveler will make their holiday plans well in advance; now is not too soon, that’s for sure.  And while you are thinking about holiday travel, remember that those suppliers are also aware of the Spring Break month of March.

A couple of years ago “staycations” were the buzzword.  Now it is predicted that folks are willing to spend from now well into 2014 for travel products. 

While you are planning, here are some holiday tips to consider:

• Thanksgiving is always on Thursday, so the busiest travel day in the year, both on land and air, is the day before Thanksgiving and the Sunday after.  So if those are the days you want to travel, don’t be surprised at the airfare sticker shock or the traffic on I-20.  A return on Monday is popular, early in the booking process, but the later you wait to make the reservations, Monday afternoon and night prices get higher too. 
• Holiday season in New York City starts a couple of days before Thanksgiving and is continued on through Christmas.  Flight and hotel prices escalate during this time period.
   
• Christmas is on Wednesday this year, so if you can plan a family cruise the week before, or better still, the first week of December, you can save a bucket full of money.

It’s a little late already to get a real good price for the holidays for this year, but you can always give your agent a call and we will do our best to accommodate.  If we are not successful, you might consider that family holiday reunion for 2014 and starting around Feb. 1, secure your holiday reservations for next year.

Let the travel agents at The Travel Factory take the stress out of holiday planning and give us a call for some experienced advice that will save you a lot of time and money.  We are at 4150 Southwest Dr., Ste. 120; 698-1421 or toll-free 800-760-4040.