Take advantage of cheap flight deals early, or miss out.
THE soaring Australian dollar has been a boon for Australian travellers, who are basking in discounted tours combined with historic low airfares.
Some travel companies have taken the unprecedented move of cutting tour prices to North America by up to 22 per cent, even for those who have already paid a deposit, because it is costing less for accommodation and ground transport.
Airfares to London are also up to $1000 cheaper than they were at the same time last year for flights over the Christmas period.
But with signs the economy is starting to recover travel agents are warning the cheap flights may not last and people should book in advance for next year.
People who have become accustomed to booking at the last minute to take advantage of cheap deals are also being urged to book early for the Christmas period as the cost of flights are already starting to rise.
Travel.com.au executive general manager Helen Demetriou said the economic downturn had enabled savvy travellers to broaden their choices. But she said airfares had hit an historic low and were unlikely to stay at these levels once the economy recovered. ”We believe it is more than likely the prices will increase as Christmas approaches,” she said. ”Aussies are still cashing in on a great deal – it’s just a matter of nabbing that deal the moment you see it.
”In order to get a cheap fare for next year is by booking now – whilst the airfares are still relatively low.”
Global travel giant Amadeus said this week it believed Australian airline bookings had turned the corner and were on the way up. It said August air bookings on Amadeus in Australia had risen eight per cent compared with a year ago – the first positive growth since the industry decline last year.
American Express has also predicted increase in demand and a decrease in supply will force air and hotel prices up in 2010 in its Amex global business travel forecast.
New figures released by the Australian Bureau of Statistics this week showed the number of people travelling internationally was 8.5 per cent higher in August than the same time last year.
Indonesia, New Zealand, Fiji, the US and UK had the strongest rises.
SOURCE: Angela Saurine, news.com.au, 14 October 2009