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2009 Travel Trends

Daytime

Published: March 3, 2009

Updated: 03/04/2009 02:14 pm

Experts say one of the top trends in 2009 will be recessionary living. Americans will look for long-term value, not just short-term happiness. In addition, they will place a higher value on quality versus quantity and we will see a movement where money loses prominence in people's lives and is replaced with stability, peace of mind, and sustainability. This trend is also spilling over into people's travel plans. Girls Getaway Guide series author and The Getaway Girl™ Casey Wohl has already noticed much more interest in getaway trips that cater to spending quality time with family and friends and less interest in getaways that center around self-indulgence and high spending.
Examples: Family of four chooses FL vacation at the beach versus theme parks. Group of women choose summer mountain getaway versus shopping spree weekend.
For trends in destinations:

Budapest, Hungary: With its economy taking a hard hit last year and the Hungarian currency devalued, now is a great time to stretch your dollar in Hungary. Much like Vienna and Prague (which I love), Budapest features the old European feel with sidewalk cafes and a vast amount of history. Experts say you can spend a mere $20/day at a day spa and enjoy their hot thermal springs.

Cambodia: Hosting more than 2 million visitors in 2008, this country is no longer just for backpackers. With its magnificent Hindu and Buddhist temples and beautiful beaches, this Asian destination is perfect for nature and history lovers, as well as travelers on a budget. Experts say you can rent a bike here for $2/day. Go now before it becomes overly popular in a few years.

Iceland – I first heard a great travel review about Iceland last year when I met a guy on a place who had been to Iceland for a bachelor party. Since this was a unique choice for this kind of trip, I was interested to see what the country had to offer. After a near brush with bankruptcy in 2008, the Icelandic currency is deeply devalued; therefore, the American dollar can go far and there are tons of discounts available to entice tourism here. Visitors will enjoy the amazing landscapes, volcanoes, glaciers, geysers, waterfalls and hot springs.

In the U.S., Austin, TX is a hip and trendy destination. We are hearing about more and more celebrities moving or vacationing here, so I visited Austin earlier this year to check it out. Austin-ites are very into being outdoors and a relaxing lifestyle, so it is no surprise that they keep busy at the nearby lakes and swimming areas. They have a great downtown area with great stores, restaurants and mini districts. I was surprised to learn that Austin has the largest urban bat population that lives under a bridge downtown. At dusk in the spring, the bats fly out from under the bridge and it is quite a sight. Austin is very proud of its slogan "Keep Austin Weird" as they pride themselves on maintaining a unique identity and friendly atmosphere.

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