I’ve noticed a theme lately. Seems the media would have you believe that we’re quickly in a downward spiral with regards to the world of travel.
Sure, the news has not been great. Airlines are charging for checked baggage, air ticket prices are increasing and fuel costs are through the (sun)roof. Here are some of the things I’ve read and heard in the last few weeks:
* Use your frequent flier miles NOW or they are going to disappear (while this may be true, I’ve been hearing this for 8 years).
* Long-haul flights will suffer as people will not want to pay exorbitant fees to fly overseas.
* Long-haul flights will fare better than short-haul flights because it will be easier for a person to absorb the additional cost for extended trips that are farther away (compared to a one-week domestic trip, for example).
* Southwest Airlines has kept the cost of flights down for the whole industry because they pre-purchased fuel years ago at a low-cost. What happens when (next year?) their cost of fuel rises? Will we see a huge jump in fares across the board?
* Airlines are cutting back on their fleets. This will decrease availability and increase demand of flights – ultimately driving up the costs of a seat.
These all seems quite dire.
Even if there is a grain of truth in these statements, why allow these minor inconveniences to curb your enthusiasm for travel?
Do you regularly take one trip a year? Why not extend your time away and incorporate two destinations into one trip over the next 2 years? In April, I’m leading a tour to Bhutan. The tour departs from Bangkok (destination #2) and I’m considering adding on additional time to travel around southeast Asia (Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos?). Hey, I figure I’m in the neighborhood, so why not?
By couchsurfing through Couchsurfing, GlobalFreeloaders or Servas, you can cut WAY back on your hotel stays.
Next time you consider taking a break from work and heading over to Starbucks (which released its own dire news yesterday), why not pop into your company’s break room and pour a cuppa and then take a little walk. Save your latte money for your travels.
My point here is that things are NOT all that bad – it just depends on how you choose to look at it. I always advocate spending money on travel before you spend it on anything else that you THINK you can’t live without. Chances are you can.
What are you doing to ensure your travels don’t get sidetracked by all this news?
Travel Well!
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Cathy says
Traveling these days can be trying that is for sure. I just got back from France and I must say that the moment the bags were packed and I was in the car I made the choice to just go with it. I was not going to get frustrated or impatient just go with the flow. The experience will be what you allow it to be and for me no matter what was tossed our way it was going to be amazing – I just kept focusing on the prize across the ocean, 2 weeks in Paris with my New Hubby.
Cheers
Cathy
http://www.wheresmydamnanswer.com
Nomadic Matt says
Great Website. good advice. I’ll be coming back to read your musings….though the website isn’t realyl geard towards me! 🙂