Holiday Travel Deals

BURNABY, BC, Sept. 3 /CNW/ - Good news for holidaymakers who can afford to take a long-haul break within the next few months: falling demand for travel means there are plenty of bargains around. Overseas costs have tumbled, with hundreds of airline seats, apartments and hotel rooms yet to be booked.

The rock-bottom deals come after a slump in foreign holiday bookings this summer as families hit by the credit crunch decided to take "staycations" at home. Statistics Canada says the number of Canadian trips abroad decreased 7.4 per cent from May to August with just over 3.6 million trips.

Now travel operators hope to claw back business by tempting vacation-starved Canadians with cheap offers.

BCAA Travel Director, Dale Urquhart says customers are booking much later due to low consumer confidence and a need to ensure they have cash available to take a holiday.

"This has resulted in a lot more holidays left in the late-deals market than this time last year," she says. But travellers beware: holding out for the best deals may not be the best plan. The deals that are out there may be fleeting, Urquhart warns. "Airlines with significant losses may need to further reduce capacity in the Fall. That means fares could head north again. Translation: if you see a great deal, snag it or it might disappear."

Countries to see in a recession

More than ever, the holiday destination you choose will make a big difference to your pocket book. Below are BCAA's best-value destination picks that will currently provide more bang for your buck:

1. Australia - Down Under continues to shake up the market with the
introduction of super cheap flights between Los Angeles - Sydney and
Brisbane with V Australia, offering one-way tickets from just $359
U.S., approximately 76 per cent lower than the lowest one-way fare
currently offered by competitor airlines.

2. Turkey - Some of Europe's best-value beaches can be found on Turkey's
beautiful Lycian Coast, which is revving up in the popularity stakes.
To get the best deals across the Atlantic, try to book your land and
flights together. Also cater for yourself, or book an all-inclusive
holiday. While food and groceries are comparatively cheap, the cost
of eating out is becoming more expensive and the price of alcoholic
drinks has also risen over the past year.

3. South America - Yes it's a long haul and as yet there are no budget
airlines offering flights. But once there, you can live like a lord
for a fraction of what it costs in Canada.

4. Thailand - There's no need to chase the myth of a deserted paradise
like Leonardo di Caprio in "The Beach"; Thailand's stuffed full of
awesome and affordable stretches of sand. From 15-cent train rides to
excellent $1 meals, Bangkok is teeming with budget options for the
penny-pinching traveller.

5. Las Vegas - Las Vegas hoteliers are raking in $5.8 million per day
less than they were a year ago, according to the latest figures from
the Convention and Visitors Authority. To lift business, vacationers
stand to receive more incentives and freebies than ever before.

6. Mexico - While the outbreak of the H1N1 virus, also known as swine
flu, hurt early summer travel to Mexico, those fears seem to have
worn off. Visitor numbers are recovering and visitors are enjoying
the discounted rates on accommodation.

7. Egypt - While this destination has been welcoming travellers for
years, a trip here won't break the bank, and offers some great value
packages. How much you pay for a camel ride or felucca ride down the
Nile depends on your haggling skills. Aim to knock off half the price
and remember, bartering is half the fun.

8. South Africa - This is a destination that offers great value for what
you see. With world-class wildlife-watching, cosmopolitan cities,
stunning natural panoramas and vibrant cultures, South Africa appeals
to almost every taste and budget.

9. Orlando, Florida - The hotel price structure in and near Orlando at
non-Disney properties has virtually collapsed. Such rates enable a
cost-conscious family to enjoy a near-week in Orlando for
considerably less than ever before.

10. Iceland - Of all industrialized nations, Iceland has been perhaps the
hardest-hit by the global recession. That's bad news for Iceland, but
great news for Canadian travellers, whose dollars are worth
significantly more than a year ago. It's not exactly cheap, but the
dollar goes twice as far in Reykjavik as it does in Europe's
cosmopolitan capitals like London and Moscow.

For more BCAA travel advice and deals, sign up for weekly travel specials at bcaa.com/email or follow @BCAA Travel on twitter.

BCAA Travel is one of the largest travel agencies in B.C. and one of the first in Canada to introduce a fully-disclosed pricing policy. All advertised prices under BCAA's "What You See Is What You Pay" prices include all fees, surcharges and taxes. BCAA is there for its customers before, during, and after their vacations with its Travel Guarantee and 24-Hour Travellers' Helpline. BCAA also offers travel planning tools such as TripTik(R) routing maps & TourBook(R) guides.