Gimme a Break: Staycations and Travel Deals Abound this Summer

Last year "staycation" was a buzzword for many, as people's budgets tightened and plans to travel were curtailed by gas prices and soaring airfares. As summer looms, many travel industry professionals believe this year it will be another year of folks opting to spend their vacations at home. Today's Daily News takes a look at the phenomenon, and finds that for the time being, "staycations" are here to stay.

One Arleta-based travel agent says she's "seen a 30 percent drop in travel-making calls from last year despite a surge of bargain getaways to entice penny-pinchers to part with some money." The travel pro attributes the reluctance to travel with people's uncertainty about holding onto their jobs, something Angelenos share with others around the nation. An Allstate poll on consumer spending reveals "nearly half of all Americans plan to cut back on travel this year."

Those opting to vacation locally, i.e. "staycation" can head out to local attractions, museums, and parks, and spend more conservatively while enjoying precious time off, and many area spas, hotels, and theme parks hope to lure area patrons with deals and specials. But those planning to buck the trend and leave town can also take advantage of the lower prices on airfare, hotels, and vacation packages. Some might hop on board flights to Europe, which have lower price tags than last year, while others might opt to travel, but keep it closer to home, by taking quick and inexpensive jaunts to San Francisco, San Diego, or Las Vegas.

What are your travel plans for this summer?