Keep Traveling
Tough Economic Times May Be The Best Time To Travel

Everyone is affected... and everyone needs to trim costs. But even when economic downturns occur, a majority of travelers intend to travel anyway... they just become more cost conscious.

The travel industry is "self-correcting" when it comes to economic downturns. It may be THE best time to travel and get travel bargains. Airlines, hotels and tour operators are slashing prices and offering extras like they haven't in a long time. You might have to do a little looking for those bargains, but they're out there.

We think it's important to keep traveling unless it will completely ruin your home budget. Clearly during global financial slowdowns, we are all going to have to work a little harder for less. We will have to plan our spending a little more carefully, but we shouldn't give up traveling. You might want to dine out less often at home, take your lunch to work, start mowing your own lawn... then put the money you save toward your travel budget.

Travel plays a vital role in our lives. It is rejuvenating. And if you spend money wisely and keep traveling, it might just help the economy recover. We all have to spend on something... We choose to spend our extra money on travel.

It's one thing to take your vacation time and just stay home... it's a whole lot better for you to go somewhere and try something new. There is pleasure in the discovery that travel gives you. You might even cherish your travel experiences more during tough times. If you have to focus on value, do that... focus, but keep traveling.

We just need to find ways to pad our travel budget. You know you still want to go.... You just want to trim around the edges and travel for less. Stop and make a list of things you can cut down on at home and not miss too much. We're sure you can add to our list.... Don't part with your vacation. Even in the U.S. where workers normally only get two weeks of vacation a year, the majority of people say that vacations are important.

Travelers may simply travel closer to home in rough times. With our web pages and blogs, we'll try to help by giving you ideas on how to save... how to travel more frugally. Don't give up on your wildest travel dreams. Travel frugally now, but hang onto those travel dreams for future trips when the economy recovers a bit.

Travelers may look to prepackaged tours to save money but still be able to travel. Volunteer vacations may be a way to save on a trip and contribute to helping some segment of society at the same time.

Some people may talk about cutting back, but we're a world full of wanderers... collectively, we love to travel.... and since we do think of that old saying... Where there is a will, there is a way.

Go out and enjoy the world, but instead of eating at 5 star Michelin restaurants, enjoy a little local place, or picnic. Spend leisurely days in free museums. Hike in the mountains. Take the travel pace a little slower... walk, take public transportation... just sit in a sidewalk cafe and enjoy the ambience.

Travel not only helps you, it helps keep economies flowing. During economic downturns, and when terrorism strikes, it's easy to start feeling depressed. Taking a break from the daily grind... some place exciting and new lifts your spirits. It just makes you feel good. And isn't there a saying that goes something like... if it feels good... do it? So we hope everyone will keep traveling... you'll just learn to travel smarter.

Happy travels... even if you don't travel the world... just remember that life is a journey... embrace and enjoy it!   Judy and Mark

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