Sweet Travel in a Sour Economy
First, let's start where the dollar is still king.
The dollar isn’t weak everywhere. There are places where the U.S. dollar is still strong. The Caribbean, South America, and Asia all offer solid value for and affordable travel experience.
Argentina is a place that might not occur to people initially, but he U.S dollar will buy you over 3 Argentinean pesos, which makes for some great bargains. Reasonably priced hotel rooms, along with some excellent bargains in fine dining. A dinner at one of the city's best restaurants — a nice thick steak, a glass of local wine and dessert will run you under $20 a person. And we’re talking one of the finest restaurants in Buenos Aires!
Those bargains extend across the board, to antiques, art, artifacts, leather goods, textiles, and clothes.
Remember, when it’s winter in the United States, it’s summer in Argentina, which makes it a great place to do your Christmas shopping while still enjoying a temperate climate and bargain prices.
Ecuador, Belize and Panama, earn mention here, because their currencies are pegged against the U.S. dollar. The exchange rate isBelize is currently 2 Belize dollars to 1 U.S. dollar, which can make for some solid bargains.
Barbados
The American dollar has lost only 2% of its value against the Barbadian dollar over the last 5 years, making Barbados as a whole, a wonderful bargain. You can get a nice hotel room on the windward side of the Barbados for under $200 a night.
Europe
The euro has been over $1.50 recently, and this presents challenges for Americans who insist on their European experience. Many are choosing to spend fewer days, but most are simply cutting back on extra expenses. Again, going off-season is a good bet.
A better bet might be heading to the countries in Europe that haven't yet adopted the euro. Switzerland is a good one, where the current rate is just over 1 Swiss franc to the dollar. Other countries not yet on the euro are Romania, Bulgaria and Turkey, where the people are utterly friendly and the food is great.
Jamaica
Traditionally, the fortunes of the Jamaican dollar follow those of the American dollar. The Jamaican dollar has recently fallen more than the U.S. dollar, all of which makes Jamaica an affordable travel spot.
Jordan
Jordan is a notoriously stable and secure destination where the currency, the dinar, has held steadily at about 70 cents U.S. for over five years.
Another thing to keep in mind is to lock as much of your travel cost as possible in U.S. dollars.
Most tour operators tend to set prices about a year and a half in advance, and they set those prices in U.S. dollars.
Some American purveyors of travel packages are now tacking on ‘currency surcharges.’ Such charges are generally negotiable and usually run about 5 percent. So make sure to ask, and to negotiate as necessary.
Getting a rate locked in U.S. dollars especially applies to hotels.
Hotels ranging from St. Barts in the Caribbean to France in Europe that are favored by a large American clientele have begun offering rates locked in dollars.
Again, the only way to make certain you get a rate in dollars is to ask, so don’t hesitate. This can make for some sizeable savings.
For example, a three-night stay, including airport transfers, for one London hotel will run you for $1,400 in dollars, but if you pay in pounds sterling, the same room, without the airport transfers that can easily run $130 one way from Heathrow, would cost you over 850 British pounds, or about $1,700.
Another good bargain is inclusive cruises, which are priced in U.S. dollars, an offer shore excursions and tours from the ship.
Booking well in advance will help you to keep your spending down. If your travels are taking you to major cities, which tend to be expensive everywhere look into promotional city cards, which are offered by many large metropolitan cities throughout the world. Such cards can bring tremendous discounts on tourist spots and transit.
From Australia to San Francisco, city cards provide free or discounted access to major landmarks and public transportation.
For just $25 per adult with up to three kids included, the city of Berlin offers a card that features lower admissions to city attractions plus two days of unlimited public transit usage, which would cost nearly $15 by itself.
The Sydney Australia offers a three-day family pass for $275, easily beating the cost of paying for airport transportation and two heavily trafficked sightseeing bus tours.
In addition, the pass offers numerous attractions and unlimited use of the city's public transportation.
Paris offers a six day museum pass that runs around $15 a day, which is a bargain when you remember that
After all, you'd pay nine euros ($13) for to visit the Louvre along with the Eugene Delacroix Museum.
Zurich, Switzerland offers a 72-hour pass that provides unrestricted public transportation, free entry to more than 12 museums, a free one-and-a-half hour cruise on Lake Zurich and complimentary welcome drinks at 20 restaurants, all for about $30.
State Parks
State parks offer one of the most overlooked travel bargains.
Most states have numerous state parks that offer easy access, low prices, and beautiful scenery.
Even with gas at three dollars a gallon, a trip to your local state park, or to one in a nearby state can deliver solid bang for the buck.
You might need to employ a bit of creativity, such as providing and preparing your own food, but the saving might allow you to splurge a bit and get some nice wine or some choice provisions to help sweeten the experience.
Pack a lunch and hit the trail for some delightful scenery and a sure-to-please low cost vacation.
Traveling locally keeps your tourist dollars in the local economy and offers and ease and simplicity that international travel cannot match. Think of it. No long lines, no check in headaches, no foreign exchange, and no TSA hassles like removing your shoes and putting all your liquids into a quart-size bag.
Remember, while so many Americans are busy fantasizing about travel abroad, millions of people abroad are fantasizing about traveling in America. A trip to one or more state parks will help you to see what they find so special about America: wide open spaces and beautiful places.
Austin
Even with gas prices going through the roof, a driving vacation can offer tremendous savings over international travel, especially for families.
One strategy if you can’t afford to get to your favorite island in the Caribbean is to travel to an island city. An ‘island city’ is a city that feels like an island in the middle of a vast ocean. Austin, Texas is just such a place.
Other options include real islands that you can drive to, such as Key West, Florida, and the San Juan Islands in Washington.
It’s easy to get around. People drive on the same side of the road. People speak American.
American beverages like Budweiser and Coca-Cola are readily available. Austin features excellent barbecue, biscuits and gravy and other local fare, along with local Texas beer such as Mickey’s or Pearl, make Austin a great place to chill out and relax. Drink some sun tea and take a dip in the local pool.
The trick to having fun is to remember that you are on an island, and while a trip to neighboring islands like Waco and College Station might be an option, happiness precludes such shallow distractions, so avoid these diversions at all costs.
Other ‘island cities’ include Las Vegas, New Orleans, and San Francisco.
Canada
Canada is perhaps the least-explored region of northern Washington, northern Montana, northern Minnesota, etc.
With the Loony Bird (the Canadian Dollar) currently flying higher than the Greenback (yes, we are living in dark times) Canada can get expensive fast. However, since most of Canada that’s worth a family trip lies within 50 miles of the border, one option is to stay on the American side and make day trips into the Great White North, which, in summer, becomes the Great Green North; and green is the new black.
Outside of Vancouver, which is like the Hong Kong of Canada, don’t expect much in the way of cities. Canada is a rural wonderland, with vast stretches of pine forests, fresh water lakes and clear rivers to enjoy.
Depending on your current prescription drug profile, you might be able to offset the cost of your trip by stocking up on your favorite drugs and even selling some off to friends and family when you return.
It’s pretty big so you’ll need a car, and if you prefer to see cities when you travel it might not be the place for you. Aside from Toronto, and maybe Montreal, Canada is not known to have any large settlements, or cosmopolitan cities.
The locals are a weird bunch, too, they’re always pointing out their superior health care system and trusting way of life, and some of them even speak French.
Central America
Central America is one of the best-kept travel secrets. Especially with the week dollar, Central American destinations offer a number of advantages. First, since it’s still part of the American continent, you won’t passports or visas, which can save you hundreds of dollars before you’ve even begun. Delicious food such as pupusas, tamales, and tasty tacos can be had for about one dollar each.
Central America is one of the hottest untapped travel bargains, the next chic travel spot to brag about having seen this summer.
Travel in your Home Town, or Close to Home
If you live near a major tourist destination like San Francisco or Las Vegas, consider getting away from it all by embarking on an in-depth exploration of the local or regional landscape.
Even if you live in the middle of nowhere, staying close to home can offer some rewarding travel experiences, especially if you play up the travel aspect and act a bit like someone who isn’t from around there. To that end, you might consider forgoing outgoing telephone calls and only taking incoming calls on your cell phone. You can take pictures and download those pictures and blog about your experiences once your ‘travels’ are over.
Consult you AAA guide and your local tourism board for suggestions.
Subhead: Asia
Asia continues to be a hot destination for travelers, especially those hunting for bargains. This trend looks to continue apace through the end of the decade. A recent study by the Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) projects the number of visitors to approach 500 million by the end of 2010, generating total revenues of $4.6 trillion. PATA says that these numbers were likely even in the face of volatile global economic conditions and a likely recession in the U.S. Up to 70% of this tourist traffic will originate from Asia.
Short-term, there may be a slight falling off in the Asian travel market, especially as the ripples from the U.S. downturn spread across the international financial markets, but the medium-term outlook projects robust Asian economic growth that should easily outpace global median averages.
The PATA report projects a rise in outbound tourism from China, Korea, Singapore and the US, in addition to some sharp rebounds in Fiji and Nepal, after brief stretches of political turmoil.
Cathay Pacific Airways
Cathay Pacific Airways has announced the release of its 2008 All Asia Pass, which offers travelers to Asia a chance to visit Hong Kong and up to four additional destinations over a 21-day period for one price.
The pass provides passengers with roundtrip economy class travel from San Francisco, Los Angeles or New York to Hong Kong, along with a 21-consecutive day travel window in which the pass holder can visit up to four cities from any of 23 Asian cities.
Eligible cities include Bangkok, Busan, Cebu, Denpasar, Fukuoka, Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon), Jakarta, Kaohsiung, Karachi, Kota Kinabalu, Kuala Lumpur, Manila, Nagoya, Osaka, Penang, Phuket, Thailand, Phnom Penh, Sapporo, Seoul, Singapore, Surabaya, Taipei, and Tokyo.
Prices for the pass start at $1,099 for travel to Hong Kong plus two cities, $1,399 for travel to Hong Kong plus three cities and $1,699 for travel to Hong Kong plus four cities.
The first wave of travel dates run through May 15, followed by a second window for departures that run from 28 August through December 1st. For an additional fee, one can purchase a 90-day summer travel and extension option.
Medical Tourism
Another way to take the edge of the declining dollar and the global and domestic financial woes is to consider making your vacation a medical trip.
A number of desirable destinations worldwide have established themselves as excellent places to receive low cost medical care.
Worldwide, the medical tourism industry is projected to more than double in size from $50 billion in 2006 to over $100 billion by 2012. Medical tourism looks to have a positive impact on the destination economies, benefiting both skilled and unskilled workers.
Continued growth in medical tourism also offers strong potential for foreigners who invest in those countries.
As medical staffs in the following countries generally speak English, and are often western-trained, communication barriers pose little obstacle for western patients.
Here are the world’s top destinations for medical tourism. They offer the most promising opportunities for medical tourists and foreign investors alike. These markets were selected based on quality and affordability of care as well as receptiveness to foreign investment.
South Africa, Mexico, Thailand, and even European countries such as Hungary have earned reputations as excellent destinations for low-cost, first-rate medical care. Here are some of the best and most desirable medical tourism destinations.
Thailand
From dentistry to dermatology to cosmetic procedures to full-blown surgery, Thailand offers western-trained doctors, clean, modern facilities and that amazing Thai spirit.
Getting a couple of crowns done in Bangkok can practically pay for your trip. A crown that runs you $1200 in America will set you back about $300 or $400 in Bangkok. That’s at one of the more expensive clinics in Bangkok, like the one at Bumrungrad hospital, which is Thailand’s first international accredited, world-class medical facility. That means that for the cost of an insurance deductible, a smart traveler can wrangle a tropical vacation.
In addition, if you shop around, it’s possible to find clean comfortable accommodations in Bangkok for under $20 a night. Factor in excellent cheap food and it has all the makings of a magnificent utilitarian vacation.
All you need to do is glance around at all of the rich Saudis to realize that the place represents the pinnacle of medical care. And no one beats the Thais for hospitality and service.
Panama
Panama offers one of the best values for medical tourism close to home. Medical procedures done in Panama run, on average, 40% to 70% below the costs of similar surgeries done in the U.S.
The close proximity to the United States make for lower travel costs and quicker travel times, which can help to offset the fact that procedures in Panama run a bit higher than those of Southeast Asian countries.
Also, Panama is a relatively “Americanized” country and an attractive place for both regular tourists and medical tourists to visit. Panama City is a generally safe and modern, and the U.S. dollar is the official currency, which can help to increase value and savings.
A good number of Panamanian medical professionals are American-trained, and English-speaking, which eliminates the language barrier and helps to reduce any aspects of culture shock for Americans seeking care in Panama.
Panama places a heavy reliance on the on the service sector of its economy, and has also made strong commitments to improving their economic profile. Panama’s medical tourism industry is a significant part of that plan, look for the industry to grow stronger and to improve going forward.
Finally, Panama offers a wide array of investment opportunities in real estate and in the service and tourism-related industries.
Brazil
Since the 1960’s, when world-renowned plastic surgeon Ivo Pitanguy opened a clinic outside of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil has evolved into a major international destination of choice for cosmetic and plastic surgeries. Due in part to its reputation for high quality service and low cost compared to other countries, Brazil is presently second only to the United States in terms of international plastic surgery markets.
Beyond plastic surgery, Brazil is growing into a favored destination for non-cosmetic medical procedures.
The Joint Commission on the Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations is the largest American hospital accreditation organization.
In terms of general medical treatment, Brazil has more hospitals that are fully accredited by the Joint Commission (JCAHO) than any country outside the U.S.
Brazil’s second largest city, São Paulo, is home to some of the world’s finest, most modern hospitals, coupled with excellent evaluation procedures and highly skilled doctors.
Being home to such excellent doctors and facilities, and just eight to 12 hours by plane from most U.S. cities, it’s easy to see why Brazil is a destination of choice for a huge number of medical tourists.
Going forward, Brazil is projected to become one of the world’s strongest economies, and their real estate sector is generally favorable to foreign investment.
Malaysia
In recent years, Malaysia’s medical tourism industry has witnessed exponential growth.
The Association of Private Hospitals Malaysia (APHM) indicates that the number of foreigners seeking healthcare in Malaysia has risen from about 75,000 in 2001 to nearly 300,000 in 2006, accounting for nearly $60 million in revenues.
APHM projects that the number of international patients traveling to Malaysia for medical treatment will continue to grow at 30 percent a year through 2010.
Medical procedures offered in Malaysia run the gamut from dental, cosmetic and other outpatient procedures to cardiac and other full-blown surgeries, all available at substantially lower costs than in the U.S.
For example a cardiac bypass surgery will cost around $6,000 to $7,000 in Malaysia, compared to $40,000 to $50,000 for the same surgery in the United States.
Malaysia favorable exchange rates, political and economic stability and high rate of literacy all help to make Malaysia a favorable destination for medical tourists and investors alike.
The country also offers a highly developed network of modern hospitals and clinics, with nearly 9 out of 10 Malaysians living less than three miles from a public health clinic or private practitioner.
In addition, Malaysia’s real estate market is favorable to foreign investment and ripe for growth going forward.
Costa Rica
Like Panama, Costa Rica, has developed into a desirable destination for American patients seeking for low-cost, high-quality medical care without the need for a trans-Oceanic flight.
Just seven to 10 hours by jet from the United States, Costa Rica’s easy access has made the country a particularly attractive destination for American patients. In fact, in 2006, nearly 150,000 international visitors traveled to Costa Rica for medical care.
Often, foreign patients travel to Costa Rica for the low costs of dental work and plastic surgery.
Medical procedures in Costa Rica are generally cost less than half the cost of the same procedures in the U.S. A dental veneer that would cost about $1,250 in the U.S. would run about $350 in Costa Rica.
Costa Rica also enjoys a high level of political stability, and a highly educated population.
Costa Rica offers fiscal incentives and free-trade zones that have attracted robust foreign investment. Their 2007 vote in favor of the
U.S.-Central American Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA) should result in an improved investment climate when CAFTA is implemented in March 2008.
India
Last year, the World Travel and Tourism Council ranked India as one of the Top 10 Emerging Tourism Destinations
Based strictly on cost of procedures, India offers the best value of any medical tourism destination. Across the board, India offers the lowest cost and highest quality.
India is home to a number of hospitals accredited by the Joint Commission International (JCI), and Indian physicians are highly trained and utilize cutting-edge medical technology.
Because of its distance and restrictions on foreign investment, India might not be the best choice for everyone.
However, for excellent care, highly trained physicians, excellent value and refinement of advanced procedures, India represents a tremendous value. India has earned a particularly strong reputation for advanced cardiac and orthopedic procedures.
Procedures that carry high costs in the U.S. still draw a large number of Medical tourists. Cardiac surgery that would cost run $30,000 to $40,000 in the U.S. will cost just $4,000 at Apollo Hospital in New Delhi.
One of the procedures that Americans have traveled to India for is Birmingham hip resurfacing, which was unavailable in the U.S., until it was recently approved by the FDA. Still the cost of Birmingham hip resurfacing in India is far less than in the United States.
The number of foreigners seeking healthcare in India has risen from about 150,000 patients in 2002 to nearly 500,000 foreign patients in 2005.
Analysts project medical tourism to account for more than $2 billion in annual revenues for India by 2012