From Eveningsnews.com
Tips for Finding Travel “Hotspots” for 2007 on a Budget
By
Feb 20, 2007, 21:59
(ARA) - Now, more than ever, budget-conscious travelers need to be in-the-know to plan a great vacation. According to the Travel Industry Association of America, the average U.S. lodging cost is up 4.3 percent from a year ago.
It turns out that planning when to go is just as important as planning where to go, if travelers are to keep their budget intact. While the major online travel agencies often highlight tips for travelers and special deals, one online leader in travel, CheapTickets.com, recently made 2007 travel planning even easier. The CheapTickets Travel Cheapometer forecasts the best months to enjoy savings at the destinations that were most popular among travelers in 2006.
CheapTickets.com compared average daily room rates at destinations around the globe during 2006 for each month to the average daily room rates for the year. Here are some of the highlights.
1. Travelers looking to explore the Big Apple should dive right in during January. Yes, it’s cold, but travelers could find a savings of 43 percent on hotels. To take the chill off, they can cozy up in one of New York City’s 18,696 restaurants.
2. A 50 percent savings in the Netherlands would make anyone warm and fuzzy in February, and places like art-rich Amsterdam are easy on the eyes and the wallet.
3. Families could eat up savings of 49 percent on an April getaway to Jamaica, including great all-inclusive resorts to match any budget.
4. Though the snow has melted by June, Park City, Utah, remains a perfect escape for hikers and outdoor enthusiasts in the spring, and a 69 percent savings would be enough to melt your heart.
5. Far off destinations such as Japan aren’t out of reach, especially in September when savings could be at 58 percent and autumn colors are in full bloom.
6. Ready to hit the slopes? Try Lake Tahoe in November, when you could find 60 percent savings on your hotel.
If you do book online at sites such as www.cheaptickets.com, consider combining a purchase of air tickets with a hotel and car rental package for added savings. With a little bit of creativity and ingenuity, hot travel destinations in 2007 are within reach for budget-minded consumers.
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