They just may find one in an unexpected place:
The travel market.
The high gas prices curtailed travel in the first part of this year and the uncertainty in the financial sector put a damper on business and leisure travel in the second part of the season. Many people seem content to stay at home, ride out the storm and wait for their nerves and 401ks to recover.
Of course, that does not sit well with the folks who depend on tourism.
With demand dropping, many airlines, hotels and resorts have slashed prices in an effort to get people out of their houses.
"There's not doubt about it, it's a buyer's market out there for travelers, especially overseas," nationally known travel expert Peter Greenberg wrote in a recent blog.
Greenberg, a regular on the "Today Show," pointed to bargains in the cruise industry, where the price for mid-level cabins on some lines have dropped by nearly 50 percent in recent months.
"An unsold cruise ship cabin represents lost revenue," Greenberg wrote. "If they can't get you in the cabin, you can't spend money onboard. And that's how they get their money."
Travel agents, in both traditional settings and online, have seen a downturn in traffic and are hoping that lower prices will spark a rally.
"If Thanksgiving was any indicator, we can expect fewer travelers this holiday season," said Amy Ziff, Travelocity's editor-at-large.
"Softening travel demand is translating into lower prices for travelers."
Ziff said that the average daily rate for hotels in top tourist markets has dropped by as much as 20 percent and many chains are running specials to lure customers.
"Though this dip in airfare is certainly good news for cash-strapped travelers, the best values are still found in combination with hotel stays and promotions," said Ziff.
Funjet Vacations, the flagship brand of the Milwaukee-based Mark Travel Corporation, specializes in those package deals.
"Funjet Vacations understands that consumers are more carefully considering their spending decisions and shopping more cautiously," company president Mike Going said.
"The travel industry has collectively responded to the current economic situation and airlines, hotel companies and the like are offering aggressive pricing and incredible savings to destinations all over the world.
"Funjet is able to package this savings for an even better value and offer affordable, unforgettable vacation experiences."
Funjet, which offers holiday shoppers a chance to purchase gift certificates for travel, is spotlighting a number of bargains on its Web site, including:
- Three nights at the Flamingo Cancun Resort & Plaza All-Inclusive (air, resort accommodations and meals) for $599 per person. Departure dates are Jan. 7 and Jan. 14. The savings is $400 per couple.
- Five nights at the Shelburne Murray Hill Hotel in New York, with airfare via Midwest Airlines into LaGuardia) for $799.99 per person. (The fifth night is free).
Click here to see other deals from Milwaukee. In addition to industry leaders like Travelocity, Orbitz and Priceline.com, there are a number of other bargain travel sites offering deals. Here is a sampling of those sites, along with some general tips for travelers via Travelocity:
Travel Web sites
BudgetTravel.com -- Offers travel tips and deals.
BestFares.com -- A leading site for info on the travel industry.
TravelTickr.com -- An offshoot of Hotwire.com. CruisesOnly.com - The name is self-explanatory. Look for good deals on cruises.
Travelzoo.com -- Join this site's mailing list to receive weekly updates of its best travel offers.
Travel tips (from Travelocity.com)
Know your carrier's baggage policy. With most carriers charging $15 for the first checked bag and $25 for the second, you don't want to bust your budget. A family of four each checking two bags could end up paying as much as $320 round trip. Consider shipping gifts as wrapped gifts will be unwrapped at security.
Check in online and early. Capacity cuts mean full flights. Checking in as early as possible will allow you to secure your seat assignment and ensure your family is seated together, and is key to your comfort, especially on a long flight. You can check in on most airline Web sites up to 24 hours before your flight.
Be proactive. With recent capacity cuts, there may be changes to your itinerary. Make sure your flight is still scheduled to leave at the time it was supposed to when you purchased your ticket. The longer ago you purchased, the more crucial it is for you to confirm flight departure and arrival times.
Be prepared for delays. It doesn't matter if it's sunny in your city, because a snowstorm in the Midwest can foul up the whole air traffic system. Bring food, water (purchased post-security), a fully charged cell phone, any medication you need, and the contact information for your carrier or online travel agency in case of problems.
Know your connecting airport. It's worth a glance at the map of the airport you're traveling through. If your first flight is delayed and you're cutting it close to making your connection, knowing where you're going and how to get there will be crucial to making that flight.
Host of “The Drew Olson Show,” which airs 1-3 p.m. weekdays on The Big 902. Sidekick on “The Mike Heller Show,” airing weekdays on The Big 920 and a statewide network including stations in Madison, Appleton and Wausau. Co-author of Bill Schroeder’s “If These Walls Could Talk: Milwaukee Brewers” on Triumph Books. Co-host of “Big 12 Sports Saturday,” which airs Saturdays during football season on WISN-12. Former senior editor at OnMilwaukee.com. Former reporter at the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.
