Making travel predictions for '08
NEW YORK -- The travel gurus are looking into their crystal balls for the new year. Here are a few of their predictions.
Terry Trippler, an airline analyst, says that while there will be fewer airfare increases, airlines will reduce the number of seats sold at the lowest prices. Also, Trippler says, more airlines will join the trend of only accepting credit or debit cards for on-board purchases, and many airlines will experiment with in-flight Internet access and text messaging. Just be prepared to pay for the privilege.
Trippler also thinks the new Open Skies agreement, which takes effect at the end of March, could lead to stable or even lower fares between the U.S. and Europe. Open Skies allows a half-dozen carriers to add direct flights to Heathrow from Atlanta, JFK, Houston, Newark, Philadelphia, Dallas and Los Angeles.
A la carte ticketing by airlines is predicted as a growing trend for 2008 by both Trippler and Stephanie Oswald, editor-in-chief of travelgirl magazine. Passengers may be asked to pay more for reserving specific seats, for every bag checked and for amenities ranging from better food to blankets, socks or toiletry kits. In the coming years, Oswald says, airlines may even start selling in-flight facials, manicures and other services.
"I imagine the flying e-cafe isn't too far away," she said.
Oswald also thinks domestic travel will increase, leading to more traffic at national parks and popular vacation spots like Cape Cod, Napa Valley, Las Vegas and Ocracoke Island in North Carolina, which was named best beach in 2007 by Stephen Leatherman, a Florida professor who gives top honors to a different U.S. beach every year.
Top 10 domestic destinations for 2008 from a survey of 555 Carlson Wagonlit Travel agents were Las Vegas; Orlando, Fla.; Honolulu; Maui, Hawaii; New York; Phoenix/Scottsdale, Ariz.; Anchorage, Alaska; Washington D.C.; Kauai, Hawaii; and Miami. Top five international destinations for 2008 named by the Carlson agents were the Caribbean via cruise; Cancun and the Riviera Maya in Mexico; Rome; and the Mediterranean via cruise. Alaska was listed as the No. 1 cruise destination for 2008. It was the first time the state has taken the top spot in that category for the annual poll.