What Features Do You Wish Online Travel Agents Offered?
Most travelers book their flights and make their hotel arrangements using online travel agents. They are convenient, fast, and make it easy to compare and find low prices – but there is a number of things that online travel agent services, like Kayak, SideStep, and FareCompare simply don’t (or can’t provide).
That’s probably one of the major reasons that 23% of travelers say they would use a good off-line travel agent if they could find one. Later this week, I’ll be looking at the various online options you have to finding a good off-line travel agent.
To help my upcoming post, I’d like to know what features you wish online travel agents offered?
Maybe you want to see ‘free airport wi-fi’ or ‘Starbucks’ as search options or Facebook integration. Personally I’d like integrated statistics to let me know what the chances are a connecting flight will be delayed and give alternatives (something a human travel agent could do very easily). Or do you not care so long as the process is fast and you get a low price? Help me out in the comments by letting your ideas roll and your rants rip.
[photo by: alexanderdrachmann]
Hotwire’s Hotel Rate Report
Consider the 10 cities with the biggest hotel rate drops in the US and Canada when searching for a new destination on a budget using Hotwire’s Hotel Rate Report. The report, released every month, shows the percentage drop as well as average hotel price for a given city. I came across this handy graph when writing about good hotel and hostel alternatives earlier this week.
The chart is just the thing when you’re planning a trip to somewhere you can’t figure out quite yet.
Planning on staying at a hotel in a (medium to large) city not on the list? Google around to see if there are any conferences in town and see if you can get a discount or consider a stay at a hostel.
6 Reasons To Visit Libya Now
Travel to a new frontier of tourism as it opens up to the world by booking a flight to Libya. Despite its turmoiled past with the West, Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi’s recent strides to end his nation’s isolation make it a unique place to visit. While getting a visa may be cumbersome (you’ll have to book through a tour group) there are 6 reasons you should make Libya your next destination.
- The Sheer Number of Sights – Libya is home to the ruins of the prominent Roman city of Leptis Magna. The ruins are a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the best preserved Roman cities. Libya is home to 5 World Heritage Sites and one of the 100 most endangered World Monument Fund sites, Wadi Mathendous.
- It’s Safe – Crime rates are low in Libya (half that of the US) and limited to petty theft. You’ll be safer in a tour group, although independent travelers can get around fine after learning the local way of doing things.
- Your Dollar and Euro Go Far – Most strong foreign currencies go a long way in Libya and it’s an up and coming place to travel on a weak dollar.
- Coastline - Libya has over 2,000 kilometers of cheap Mediterranean coastline. A number of resorts have been popping up along this temperate region which is cheaper than comparable Spanish or Italian beaches.
- Open Roads – Admittedly not for everyone, but Libya’s (relatively) developed highway system is idea for car and motorcycle travel. It’s one of my personal ambitions and to tour across Africa, including Libya, on a motorcycle. Check out overcross.com’s Sahara tours for a taste.
- It’s Unique - Thirsting to be ‘the first’ or one of the few travelers to a destination? Libya is just opening up into a tourist spot and I feel it will go the way of once cheap Morocco. Book a trip to Libya before you regret losing that cheap destination.
There are a number more reasons I could have listed but the general idea is that Libya is a new destination that’s cheap, safe, and as a lot to offer. It’s probably not the ideal place to visit for travel novices, just yet. Those of you looking for some adventure in a country that has a more developed tourism industry should consider these 8 places you should visit but might be scared to.
[photo by: indigo prime]
Good Alternatives To Hotels and Hostels
There are plenty of ways to save money on flights but hotel prices vary widely and hostels may be crowded and lacking enough privacy for your tastes. Fortunately there are a number of good of hotel and hostel alternatives to consider if you’re looking to save on a family trip, or crash on somebody’s couch for free.
VRBO.com – Search through vacation rentals by owner (VRBO) and stay at apartments and houses put up for temporary rent. The starting prices are generally equivalent to a hotel and more expensive than a hostel, but you get the amenities of a full fledged home. VRBO is has a long list of offerings with pictures and rate details. There is usually a minimum stay of 3 nights with lower rates for longer stays. I’d suggest emailing the owner to bargain your way to a good price.- A major advantage of a vacation rental is that most places accept dogs and cats.
- VacationRentals.com is another site similar to VRBO but with less offerings.
- Consider putting your own place up for rental when you’re away traveling to raise funds for more trips.
CouchSurfing.com - Make arrangements and stay for free with participating members at homes around the world. Couch Surfing members vouch for each other to provide a trusted circle that helps you and your hosts stay safe. Couch Surfing is free but you’ll have to spend some time searching for and making arrangements with the hosts that accept you. This may involve meeting the person for coffee so they can get to know you a little better, but I’ve heard from countless people the process is usually a smooth one. It’s also a great way to meet other travelers and experience the local culture.
