| In a nutshell - it already has. The huge run-up in oil | | | | rates high for 2009 knowing that most bookings come |
| prices in 2008 already has affected tourism in the U.S. | | | | within weeks of arrival anyway. But if they see |
| Because of the weak dollar, it hasn't affected foreign | | | | softness in the middle of the very next month, they |
| travel so much, which had helped hotels to keep prices | | | | may lower rates 5% and see of that increases |
| fairly level and at high rates. But in the last few weeks, | | | | demand. |
| chains like Starwood resorts started a $25 Gas Back | | | | What does this mean for the traveler? Your greatest |
| promotion (with restrictions) and lowered prices for | | | | chance of getting a really cheap rate for a good hotel |
| certain locations and certain days of the week and | | | | will likely lie in your waiting to book until you arrive in a |
| Marriott reported lower earnings. This was like a shot | | | | city. If there is an weakness in the market, it will |
| across the bow for many hotels and some prices | | | | manifest in good rates for that day. Make sure |
| began to ease as soon as they saw less strength in | | | | however there is nothing going on - like a major |
| the tourist trade based upon the expectation of | | | | sporting event or convention which will sell out the area |
| reduced demand in 2009. A final arrow to the heart | | | | and drive prices up. This you do by checking rates in |
| came when a Good Morning America story made the | | | | the area ahead of arrival or calling one hotel and |
| wire that more Americans were planning "Staycations" | | | | asking if there are any events going on for your dates. |
| this year. | | | | You can try the auction-bid sites too, although my |
| Then, just as suddenly oil plummeted in a matter of a | | | | advice for them always remains the same: most of |
| week and suddenly there was talk of the upward | | | | the low ball bids are accepted by low rent motels so |
| cycle having finally been broken. So would this mean | | | | you aren't really getting a bargain. If you aren't greedy |
| hotels will NOT lower prices after all? While anything is | | | | however and bid $69-$89 however, you may well end |
| possible, here is my thought - crafted from years of | | | | up at a higher echelon property that is selling advance |
| watching rates rise and fall. | | | | reservations for $149-$229 and they have a sudden |
| It is SO easy to change rates that hotels will likely | | | | glut of rooms. At the least, you can still get a $45 |
| continue monitoring the situation and not slash rates | | | | room by simply calling properties that only charge $50 |
| willy-nilly across the board. Certainly not for 2009 | | | | anyway. These you can find with a modicum of |
| because that is simply too far out and few people | | | | research from travel sites and review sites. |
| book a year in advance. If anything, hotels will keep | | | | |