Travel Planning Tips and Directory - OpenAxisGroup.org
Very often it is the vacation planning process that sets the tone and determines the outcome of your vacation. Planning your vacation is a delicate balance that involves timing, budgetary discipline, good shopping skills and common sense. Sounds easy enough doesn’t it?
In the US, the demographic of the leisure traveler has changed sharply over the last five years. Part of the transition could also be credited to the emergence of online planning tools and a much more competitive environment where vacation destinations and various travel providers are vying for what they understand is a fixed number of dollars in your vacation/leisure budget.
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Statistics to Know
The US Travel Association published the 2012 travel statistics late in 2013. Some of the statistics reflect changes in leisure spending and philosophy.
Fewer Children are Accompanying Adults on Leisure Travel – In 2012, only 26 percent of domestic leisure travel included children under 18. In 2008, 31 percent of leisure travel included children under 18.
Less Leisure Air Travel - In 2012, 11 percent of leisure travel included air travel. 79 percent of leisure travel used a car.
Average Age of Leisure Traveler – The average age of the leisure traveler in 2012 was 47.5. Only 8 percent were aged 18-24.
Median Household Income – In 2012, the median household income for domestic leisure travelers was $62,500. The average household median income of the US population in 2012 was $52,800.
Social Media, Mobile Devices – In 2012, 10 percent of domestic leisure travelers referred to destination websites, five percent used social media and 4 percent used a mobile device to plan their trip. In 2009, only 2 percent of leisure travelers used social media. This is one of the most important transitions in vacation planning.
How To Plan Your Vacation
Budget - Read anything you want. Do all the research you desire and study all the possible destinations you have dreamed of but all this time is wasted unless you have set a comprehensive, realistic budget. There are things that can go wrong on any vacation built the thing you control is how much you can spend. Coming home with a pile of unexpected debt is the quickest way to ruin a vacation before it starts.
How Much To Spend – If you truly want a memorable vacation, spend what you can afford to pay in full in 30 days. Do not run up excessive credit card debt that you cannot hope to retire in 30 days. That is expensive interest that will leave a bad taste for months and maybe even years to come.
Use Online Resources – Out with the old and in with the new. While friends and family are good sources for travel tips, taste and goals from leisure travel have changed dramatically over the last five years. Use online resources to research and solidify plans. Of course, you just take the extra step of performing due diligence when you do not have collaborating support of your destination.
Social Media Due Diligence – Use your social media resources to help perform due diligence. You can obtain lots of feedback from vacationers who have visited the destinations you are considering. Tap their experience, check and double check comments from social media.
Comparison Shop – Comparison shopping take a bit more time but can yield big returns. Vacationers should comparison everything from air fare to lodging, meals and excursions. With online resources comparison shopping is easier than ever. Just be sure to be date sensitive and confirm everything before committing.
Know Cancellation Policy – Many resorts and vacation destinations will charge if you make early reservations and then cancel. Include research about cancellation policies with your research of each potential destination. Like it or not, life does not always go as planned. Sometimes we have the change of plans and you should know in advance what cancellations or modifications cost.
Arrive Rested – Don’t ruin your trip by arriving tired and unable to fully enjoy your vacation. The early bird, red eye specials may work for business travelers but it just might be worth paying a little more to leave at a more relaxing hour and arrive fresh and ready to play.
Research all Forms of Travel – Many leisure travelers are starting to use the train. For several destinations you can even put your fully packed vehicle on the train. The price of train travel is right plus you can usually arrange for Internet access and a sleeping car if necessary. Chances are good that there great destinations within driving distance.
The keys to a great vacation are to not overspend and to plan ahead to eliminate the “surprise effect.” With today’s many online resources, every vacation traveler should be well-informed and no component of the vacation should be a mystery.