Expedia Travel Trendwatch

when the average daily rate was $103. TRENDWATCH TIP: Hotel rates are down significantly in popular summer vacation des- tinations like Las Vegas, Orlando, Hawaii and Anaheim, so if you’ve put off travel to these areas in the past due to cost, this might be the right summer to go. Your savings on hotel rate may make up for the increase in airfare or gasoline to get there. Budget conscious travelers seek- ing better deals. The percentage of consumers booking hotel rooms that are available on a promotional basis is increasing. TRENDWATCH TIP: If you are headed to major cities where rates are rising like New York, Chicago, San Francisco or Seattle, you’ll likely find weekend deals at big downtown hotels that are typically filled with business travelers during the week, but are relatively empty (and more willing to discount) on weekends. Fami- lies might consider weekend stays at “extended stay” hotels such as Staybridge Suites, Springhill Suites or Homewood Suites and keep costs down by cooking meals in the in-suite kitchens. More Hotel Promotions. As hotel occupancy and rates flatten, more hotels are willing to offer deals to maintain demand. Summer Travelers Gear Up to Hit the Roads and the Skies Online at www.expedia.com/tips BY CHRIS MCGINNIS SUMMER TRAVEL OUTLOOK The search for value will define the summer travel season more than in recent years. Americans will tend to be more cautious with their vacation budgets by shortening trips, staying at less expensive hotels, having more picnics instead of ex- pensive restaurant meals, or driving instead of flying, but they are still going to take their cherished summer vacation. HOTEL TRENDS Hotel rates increase and decrease in most popular destinations. Hotel rates in the U.S. are declining in sev- eral top leisure travel destinations but increasing in some business travel destinations. For example, among the top ten destinations booked on Expedia® for summer stays, hotel rates are down an average of five percent, with rates decreasing most dramatically in Maui, Oahu and Las Vegas. However, rates in Chicago, New York, San Francisco and Seattle are up due to their popularity with currency-flush Europeans as well as business travelers. Major destinations where rates have decreased since last sum- mer include Los Angeles, Denver, Myrtle Beach and New Orleans. According to Smith Travel Re- search, the average North Ameri- can hotel rate during the first quarter of 2008 was $109, up $6 from the first quarter of 2007 Summer vacation: Can I afford it? Hotel rates: Sky high or bargain? Air travel: Better than last summer? Can I get around the weak dollar?