Il turismo in tempo di crisi

La crisi economica che stiamo vivendo è forse una delle peggiori dal 1980 a questa parte.

Ancora non si sa se ci sarà un avvitamento sulla economia reale ma è oramai assodato che una contrazione dei consumi e la recessione economica vera e propria è alle porte.

Questo però non ci impedisce di viaggiare e di pensare con un occhio al portafoglio alle nostre vacanze. Ecco quindi un consiglio che ci arriva direttamente da UK.

Il testo è in inglese ed è tratto da http://ehotelier.com/browse/news_item.php?id=P15073 ma vi assicuro che è veramente di facile comprensione.

A recent survey conducted by boo.com found that 91 percent of British people still plan to travel this year despite the financial crisis. However, with 67 percent saying they have modified their travel arrangements, they will be looking for more creative ways to save money.

Furthermore, 58 percent of British consumers report that they save specifically for travel for at least 6 months of the year. To help consumers make the most of their travel savings and ease the hassle of holiday travel, boo.com's travel experts offer the following holiday travel tips:

Tips for Avoiding Holiday Travel Headaches

Be first - Being first is an important rule to follow when de-stressing your holiday travel. Try to book your seat on the first flight of the day. It is generally less crowded and if the flight is delayed or cancelled, you will have more time and options to rebook your flight. Arrange your seating assignment in advance, picking a seat at the front of the plane so you will be able to get off the plane quickly in case you have to make a tight connection.
Be loyal - Whenever possible, try to book your travel and accommodations with the same providers each time you travel. Customer loyalty can mean extra perks including upgrades and additional consideration for availability.
Budget for the extras - Airlines today are charging for many of the amenities that used to be complimentary. To avoid unexpected charges, do your research ahead of time. Some of these new costs include additional checked baggage fees, booking fee and in-flight food/beverage charges. If you are a frequent flyer, it may be worth investing in a few travel gadgets that can offer big savings in the long run such as a personal suitcase scale to help avoid additional baggage fees.
Check prices across multiple websites - Hotel prices fluctuate depending on availability and timing. If you have the time to shop around, websites like boo.com are helpful in comparing prices across a number of different operators and accessing trusted user reviews.
Be security savvy - It may seem obvious by now, but the security line is full of passengers who forget to take off their metal items or check items banned from flights. Checking the regulatory guidelines for the do's and don'ts before hand can mean the difference between making your connection and missing your flight.
Don't travel with gifts - Try to avoid bringing gifts with you on the plane. Take advantage of websites that offer free shipping and have your presents delivered to the destination in advance. If you have to bring presents with you, don't wrap them before hand. Security officials won't hesitate to open them for inspection.
"History shows that even in times of economic turbulence, people will still travel for the holidays," said Niamh Ní Mhír, Chief Marketing Officer boo.com. "We are seeing consumers spending more time searching for better bargains and last minute deals. User reviews will also be more important this year as people try to save money while still ensuring they have a fantastic holiday experience."

Piers

Scritto da Piers il 10.12.2008| Permalink | Commenti (0) | Trackback (0)