It is as we all expected–as the world’s economy stays in the tank, promotions and special deals are popping up all over. Businesses are trying to keep at least their nostrils above the water line, and the travel industry is not different. As Abigail Ho wrote in “Airlines in promo frenzy” (Philippine Daily Inquirer, business.inquirer.net, August 23, 2009), many travel trades are offering rock-bottom prices just to stay alive.
One of Ho’s points is that some of the markets are springing up new. A few of the lesser-known Asian destinations, like Vietnam and Myanmar, are becoming rapidly more popular. While the major cities of the world are often dirt-cheap as well, it seems that companies looking for travel to exotic places have never had it so good.
If there are deals for the lesser-known places, there will be deals everywhere. As some new additions to corporate travel destinations begin to thrive, competition will increase. It’s anyone’s guess what prices to these destinations will do, but it’s your job to keep an eye on them.
Remember also that emerging destinations have yet to build a following, and that can be a mixed bag. If there are few reviews you don’t know much about it, and if there are a lot of them you may be joining a clamoring crowd. Keep in mind as you review these destinations that timing is critical.
