| There is no argument over the fact that the horrible | | | | are forced to find ways to cut their costs so that |
| act of terrorism that occurred on the 11th of | | | | they can compete and stay in business. |
| September, 2001, impacted many people's lives in | | | | With many expenses on the rise, combined with the |
| untold ways. Many businesses and industries were | | | | weakening of the dollar, many in the travel and |
| affected. One of the industries that felt an immediate | | | | tourist industry are struggling to find ways to reduce |
| negative impact was the tourism industry, not only in | | | | their overhead and cut their operating expenses so |
| the US but in many parts of the world. | | | | that they can offer people the cheap vacations that |
| As well, it seems that just as the tourism industry | | | | they are looking for these days. While this makes for |
| had begun to recover somewhat, war broke out as | | | | difficult decisions, it seems that cuts will be necessary |
| a consequence of the attack of 9-11. This turn again | | | | in order to stay in business in this economic |
| made people think twice before planning vacation | | | | environment and to attract the consumers who are |
| time travel, especially abroad. In addition, there has | | | | demanding special deals. |
| been a shift in attitude toward Americans in many | | | | Many are simply not able to fit travel costs into their |
| parts of the world, which has made travel and | | | | budget, unless they are able to find deeply |
| tourism to these locations less desirable. | | | | discounted vacation deals and downright cheap |
| In more recent months, the tourism industry has | | | | vacations. And, rather than have hotel rooms sitting |
| once again found itself battered with the onset of a | | | | empty and putting planes in the air with empty seats, |
| recession and rising fuel costs. Since the majority of | | | | many hotels and airlines are offering incredible |
| vacation travel slows down when people have less | | | | discounts, especially for those who are traveling at |
| discretionary income to spend on leisure activities, | | | | the last minute. |
| there has naturally been an increase in people | | | | In fact, in many cases, if you have some flexibility in |
| canceling their vacation plans. | | | | when you can take your vacation, then waiting until |
| Others are still determined to make the most of any | | | | the last minute might actually be the best way to |
| vacation time that they have and are looking for | | | | save big bucks and get the absolute best vacation |
| discounted deals or are changing their plans, from | | | | deals. Don't expect the travel and tourism industry to |
| taking more distant trips and staying closer to home | | | | broadcast this information, but the bottom line is that |
| instead. This means that many factions of the tourist | | | | they would rather get 30% of their standard rate |
| industry are competing harder over fewer travel | | | | than not sell the airline seat or book the hotel room |
| dollars and the many hotels, airlines, car rental | | | | at all. |
| agencies, and other companies that cater to travelers | | | | |