| martial arts competitors and coaches decide to follow | | | | Many lower priced hotels are within walking distances |
| one of the large karate circuits like NASKA or NBL, it | | | | of the tournaments. Even if a hotel is not within |
| will soon be realized that participation in this sport can | | | | walking distance, a small cab fare is usually worth the |
| be very expensive. Many years ago, I attended a | | | | room savings. I’ve even stayed at airport |
| seminar conducted by Charlie Lee and he said that | | | | location hotels and then utilized the free hotel |
| the only main difference between many national and | | | | shuttles of both the place I was staying at as well as |
| local competitors is that the national ones have the | | | | the event hotel to get around. Of course, all this is |
| funds to travel. I’ve been on both the NBL | | | | not as convenient as staying at the event hotel but |
| and NASKA circuits. I’ve also dabbled in | | | | if you are willing to plan ahead a bit, good savings are |
| international overseas competition as well so | | | | possible. Of course for events where I’m |
| I’ve learned a few tricks over the years to | | | | extending my stay for vacation purposes, a rental |
| help save some overall costs involved in competition. | | | | car will allow me to stay wherever I want. |
| Competition Fees | | | | Another way to chop off half of your hotel |
| Most karate tournaments offer some savings | | | | expenses is to leave right after your competition is |
| through pre-registrations. With many promoters | | | | over. You will miss the evening shows but if you |
| adding online registration capabilities recently, | | | | don’t mind that, then you will have to stay |
| pre-registering is a snap. Of course, there’s | | | | overnight for only a single night rather than two. |
| the risk of losing your entire fee if for some reason | | | | Over the course of a year, single night trips can |
| you don’t show up at the event. Even if you | | | | result in significant savings. |
| have made commitments to attend certain | | | | Flights |
| tournaments, other circumstances can prevent you | | | | Driving would be the most economical way to travel |
| from going. For example, I have missed tournaments | | | | to tournaments but if the locations are too far, then |
| due to flight cancellations because of bad weather. It | | | | flying would be the most realistic way to get there. |
| is also possible for flights to be delayed or missed | | | | One could also explore trains too. As for flights, one |
| due to reasons beyond your control. Of course, | | | | could wait for seat sales to purchase tickets. Another |
| unforeseen emergencies at home can always cause | | | | strategy is to fly in or out of different airports that |
| trip cancellations. So even though one can save some | | | | are nearby the event city. There could be significant |
| good money over the course of a year by | | | | savings in prices for flights if you are willing to use |
| pre-registering for all events, it is a risk to take. | | | | alternative airports. Some cities have more than one |
| Hotels | | | | major airport in the region. Alternative airports can |
| Most tournament promoters also work out a special | | | | reduce travel costs for competitors who have to |
| room rates at designated tournament hotels. These | | | | cross the US-Canadian border as well. Canadians |
| special rates usually range from about $100 to $125 | | | | driving to US airports right across the border could |
| which are quite good considering that most event | | | | save up to 50% sometimes for flights. Travelers |
| hotels are top major chains like Hyatt, Sheraton, | | | | should join all frequent flyer programs but try to stay |
| Hilton, etc. However, I have found that if one is | | | | with one or two main airlines if possible. Points do add |
| willing to do some research, even more significant | | | | up which can result in future free flights. Of course, |
| savings are possible with accommodations. I almost | | | | points from hotel stays, car rentals and credit card |
| never stay at event hotels anymore. Instead, I will | | | | use also help. |
| do research to find out hotels that are close by. The | | | | Transfers |
| maps facility at the Yahoo site is wonderful for this. | | | | As mentioned previously, I try to use free hotel |
| Just go to Yahoo and click on ‘maps’. | | | | shuttles whenever I can. If my hotel doesn’t |
| Then enter the address and city of the tournament | | | | have a free shuttle and it is close to the event hotel, |
| hotel. Do a search of other hotels close by and the | | | | sometimes I would take the event hotel’s |
| site will show you where they are on a map as well | | | | free shuttle and then walk to my hotel. I often use |
| as how far they are from the event hotel. I also use | | | | the event hotel’s shuttle to catch a ride back |
| travel websites like Travelocity and Expedia to verify | | | | to the airport too. Just hang out at the event hotel |
| other nearby hotels. Many hotels are often much less | | | | lobbies so that you look like a guest and nobody |
| expensive especially the ones that are one level | | | | should question your use of the shuttle. |
| lower in quality. In addition to the travel websites, I | | | | Many cities where large tournaments are held have |
| would also check room rates directly with Choice | | | | very efficient and safe transit systems right from |
| Hotels (Comfort Inn, Econolodge, Quality Inn), Holiday | | | | the airport. For example, instead of paying for cabs |
| Inn, Days Inn and Motel 6 via their websites. The | | | | or airport shuttles that charge, taking the local bus or |
| rooms at these chains are not as luxurious as those | | | | subway train for about $1.50 will get me to the |
| at major hotels but they are clean and comfortable. | | | | tournament just as easy. |
| They are not the bottom of the barrel like some | | | | So as you can see, there are different ways to take |
| independent motels are. Rates can be 50% lower | | | | a bite off the overall expenses of karate tournament |
| than even the tournament rates at the event hotels. | | | | travel. You just have to do your research for every |
| My average rate for rooms has been about $50 and | | | | trip. As for meals, you could always stuff yourself |
| that often includes free breakfasts which event | | | | silly for a very reasonable price at those Chinese |
| hotels seldom offer. | | | | buffets found almost everywhere. |