foXnoMad’s [Slightly Gloomier] Travel Predictions For 2009
More fees, plane crashes, and diversifying terrorists make my predictions for 2009 a bit darker than they had been back at the beginning of last year. In January 2008 I predicted quite a few things to be hopeful for – but the slowing global economy will begin to effect the travel industry, and ultimately travelers, in an increasingly negative fashion.
Here’s a look into my cloudier crystal ball this time around.
- Fees, Fees, and More Fees for Everything – Although jet fuel prices dropped dramatically during the second part of 2008, most airlines have maintained additional ‘fuel surchages’, baggage fees, and $2 cans of soda. Airlines will not only keep these fees around and expand them to include more (currently free) services, they’ll increase existing prices as well. Think paying $15 for your first checked suitcase is bad, it will likely double by the end of 2009.
- More Delays and Plane Crashes - Business cuts from employee paychecks, quality control, and security generally lead to a general decline of service in any industry. With the airline industry in an already weak economic state at the beginning of 2008, and now the overall world economy in recession, things will get worse.
- Airlines will begin to layoff employees causing fewer, less paid personnel to do the same amount of work. The result will be more lost baggage, overbooked flights, and fewer planes in the sky. All of these factors mean that you’ll probably be stuck at some airport during your travels. Here are 3 fun things to do and the best places to sleep.
- Being involved in a plane crash is an extremely unlikely event, even for frequent travelers but expect a few more than ‘average’ this year. Budget cuts are already caused Southwest to skimp on FAA required inspections in 2008 and sooner or later it will catch up with the airlines and some unfortunate travelers.
- Increase In Terrorist Attacks On Alternate Modes Of Travel - Expect various terrorist groups around the world (I’m bunching in all of them here) to begin targeting cruise ships, trains, and even car drivers. While airplanes are still a high-value target, frozen assets, better intelligence, and waning popularity of (especially Islamic extremism) is going to lead to different, lower-budget attacks.
foXnoMad Features: Blog Locations
Every Friday over the next three months I’d like to introduce you to a feature of foXnoMad. Helping you make the most out of every post, connect with your fellow travelers, and travel smarter.
Keep track of the countries and US states I’ve visited by checking out my Blog Locations. You can view the map, which I update whenever I post a story or picture from a location, below. The map also includes the nations and cities that others have written as guest posts for me in the past.
I added the Blog Locations, which you can get to from the yellow link atop every page, to make it easier to keep up with my personal travel journal. Take a look at some of my most recent posts from Myanmar or India and find out where in Africa I’ll be headed first.
The Most Popular Posts of 2008
At the dawn of the new year, I’d like to thank all of you for your readership, comments, and feedback over the past year. Thank you for subscibing to foXnoMad, emailing your post ideas, and enlightening me with stories from your own travels and so much more.
Here are some of the most popular posts from the past year.
Most Page Views
- Get US Access To Websites While Abroad With Free Download: Hotspot Shield
- Inspire Me Africa Photo Contest: Vote For Your Favorite 3 [POLL]
- The Best iPod Touch (and iPhone) Hacks For Travelers
Most Commented
- 7 Up and Coming Best Places To Travel On A Weak Dollar
- 5 Former Best Places To Travel On A Weak Dollar
- How To Make Money With Your Travel Blog
Some of My Favorites
- How Americans Can Blend In Abroad
- How To Avoid A Speeding Ticket
- Travel Unravel: Any Tips For A First Time Flight With An Infant?
I look forward to sharing 2009 with you and continuing to help you travel smarter!
