Backpacker Tourism “booming” Down Under

by Kraig Becker on

While the travel and tourism market in general is suffering, thanks to the international economic crisis, Australian newspaper The Age is reporting that that country has seen a steep increase in backpacker tourism in recent months. In fact, visas from the U.K. and Germany alone are up more than twenty percent. Deeply discounted airfares are helping to spur the budget travel trend as well it seems.

The article says that young people who have lost their job are electing to travel abroad, many of them deciding to head Down Under for their extended holiday. Others, looking for a budget vacation, are also heading to Australia, taking advantage of good deals, but watching their money while in country as well.

It seems things are not completely rosy for the Australian tourism market however. Overall, the industry is way down already, and the number of visitors to the country is expected to drop by more than 250,000 people, costing the economy over $1 billion.

Still, the Minister of Tourism, Martin Ferguson, is bullish on the future, and will tell more than 300 tourism representatives that this week when the Australian Tourism Export Council or ATEC, meets to discuss their concerns. Ferguson will tell them that the outlook for next year is far better than 2009, but the government is encouraging Australians to stay home, and spend their holiday locally, and they’re giving them stimulus checks to help the process. So far, that seems to be working.

As usual, these awful economic conditions mean bargains and cheap travel for those who do have the money and are willing to go. You may never be able to visit Australia for so little money again.

Don’t pass through Singapore, stay for a bit

by Tom Johansmeyer on

Singapore doesn’t want you to pass through. Instead, they want you to stick around, even if only for a little while. With the “Fabulous Singapore Stopover Package,” you can take advantage of a variety of discounts. In fact, six hotels are dropping rates to $1 for the first night you stay. Some are even kicking in prepaid cell phone cards and food and beverage vouchers that can be redeemed at Changi Airport.

Since getting to and from the airport can be a drag when you stop briefly in a city, the program also lets you use the Singapore Airlines Hop-On bus as much as you want. It’ll take you to 20 of the city’s major attractions, including the Singapore Zoo, Jurong Bird Park and Sentosa Island – which are among the attractions that have lowered their prices for guests.

Visiting Every Country On Earth

by Kraig Becker on

Most travelers have a “life list”. That is to say, a list of travel destinations that are amongst their “must see”, such as the Great Pyramids or Machu Picchu. Others set goals to visit certain countries, selecting ones that appeal to them on some level.

That’s exactly what Chris Guillebeau did when he was 22 and working in Africa for an international charity group. At the time, Guillebeau says, that he was traveling a lot within Africa itself, and making frequent trips back to Europe as well. He was visiting a lot of unique and interesting places, and remained fascinated with the cultures that he saw.

Then, in 2006, at the age of 28, he set a goal for himself to visit 100 countries before he turned 30, somehting he accomplished last year. But in this interview for the New York Times, he admits that about halfway through his quest to reach triple digits, he began to realize that he was setting his sights too low, and has now set a new goal for himself – to visit every country on the planet before he turns 35.
Guillebeau admits that things are starting to get tougher, as he is running out of countries that offer easy access. He mentions that he’ll have to start focusing on making arrangements to get to Chad, the South Pacific, or Central Asia soon, but he makes no mention of visiting such places as North Korea or Somalia, which aren’t exactly welcoming to foreigners.

Of course, with all of this travel, Guillebeau knows all the tricks to make things as easy as possible. He generally has upgrades to first class on domestic flights, many of which he trades away to other passengers, and he recently talked his way onto a flight to Karachi, without the proper paperwork or visas to enter the country. He also knows how to play the system to get as many frequent flier miles as possible, something he shared with us a few months back.

I have to hand it to Chris. When he creates a life list, he doesn’t think small. My question is, what do you do when you hit age 35 and you’ve already visited everywhere? He better hope Virgin Galactic expands its routes, and quickly.

Daily Travel Deal – Las Vegas MGM Grand getting close to paying you to stay

by Scott Carmichael on

This was bound to happen sooner or later – Hotels in Las Vegas are so desperate happy to have you come and stay with them, that the deals are better than ever.

Short of being comped, this deal at the MGM Grand is one of the hottest out there at the moment.

Starting at $48, you get a night at the hotel, $35 in dining and activity credits, a 2 for 1 spa pass, 2 VIP passes to Studio 54 or Tabú and $25 in free slot play.

If a standard room isn’t good enough, you can drop an extra $25 for a bungalow suite, or $30 for a celebrity spa suite (700 sq ft).

Seriously, this is indeed getting close to having the hotel pay you to come and stay with them. Of course, the hotel would prefer if you left them some extra cash on the gaming tables or at one of their other amenities

The fine print is simple – you can stay at this promotional rate between April 22nd 2009 and December 29th 2009, but you need to book before April 30th 2009. The $48 rate is only available on certain dates, but a quick peek at the availability calendar shows that most of the summer months have that rate. Some dates are very high, but on average, it won’t be hard to snag yourself a really good deal.

Still trying to plan your summer vacation? Check out these hot international travel deals!

Save on luxury hotels in today’s 24 Hour Sale at Hotels.com

by Alison Brick on

Been eyeing a top-tier hotel in the US or Canada, just waiting for the economy to catch up and lower the price? Hotels.com is making it happen today, with or without the economy shenanigans.

This week’s 24 Hour Sale features luxury hotels, which means that it’s the four- and five-star hotel rates that are dropping up to 50%.

For example, the Adolphus in Dallas is discounted 50% to $79/night, and the Wynn Las Vegas is discounted 30% to $129/night.

Be sure to book by the end of today, April 21st. Offers vary per hotel. Hotel.com’s 24 Hour Sale runs every Tuesday.