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Don’t expect holiday travel to be less crowded or less difficult this season, no matter the ongoing terrorism threats and slow economy. Fewer people are flying, sure, but airfares are cheaper and most airlines have cut back their flight schedules by 10 to 15 percent, reducing the number of empty seats.
The Sept. 11 attacks still ripple out through the travel industry. Overall, most business is slower, according to local travel agents. Businesses that depend on air travel and corporate clients are faring worse than those, for example, that specialize in cruise packages.
“It’s a tough business right now. We’re just scraping by,” said Bill Swango, owner of All American Travel in Tri-County. Swango expected 5 to 15 percent fewer people to travel this season, judging by trade publication predictions.
Were the attacks an excuse to stay home or a reason to visit the ones you love? Are cheaper airfares enticing passengers onto planes, or are car rental sales, cheap gas and security concerns keeping people in their cars?
Several months will pass before anyone understands how Sept. 11 has changed Americans’ attitudes about travel.
That’s particularly true with international travel, which picks up in the spring, said Michele Uckotter, general manager and vice president of Pier ‘N Port Travel in Hyde Park. Her customers haven’t been seeing a lot of empty seats on flights so far.
Traveling in and out of the Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport certainly won’t be the same, according to airport Communica-tions Director Ted Bushel-man. He advised every passenger to:
· Arrive at the airport two hours before the departure time;
· Have a government ID, such as a driver’s license or passport;
· Bring only one carry-on bag and one purse or briefcase per person;
· Not expect to see or meet passengers beyond the security gate.
· Passengers should, of course, expect generally heightened security all around the airport.
“Bags can be searched at any time, all the way up to the gate area,” said Bushelman, who still expected a busy holiday season at the airport.
In the past, travelers needed to book early just to guarantee a seat. This year more travelers — perhaps expecting last-minute bargains — are waiting longer to finalize their holiday plans, according to October surveys by the American Automobile Association (AAA).
Thanksgiving airfares were 13 percent cheaper this year, with 47 percent discounts for New York to Washington, D.C., flights, 44 percent for St. Louis to Washington, D.C., flights and 42 percent cheaper flights from Los Angeles to Phoenix.
Thanksgiving car rental fees in the 20 largest U.S. cities declined by 19 percent, according to AAA.
But the best bargains this year might be cruises leaving before January. Some four-day, all-inclusive packages are going for about $200, hundreds less than before, Swango said.
“These are the lowest prices ever … that I’ve seen,” said Swango, who booked a Caribbean cruise for himself.
Cruise companies are eager to fill seats, especially until the high season begins in January, Uckotter said.
“People do not generally buy cruises in November and December,” said Uckotter, who also booked a Caribbean cruise for herself.
Travelers shouldn’t expect these sales to last forever, according to Lonnie Fields, manager of Carson Wagonlit Travel’s downtown branch.
“People think they’re just giving it away, and that’s not the case,” Fields said.
Swango said the recent accidental crash of American Airlines Flight 587 in New York City also hurt business, giving travelers an old reason to fear flying: accidents.
Uckotter said her business — divided evenly between tours, cruises and international trips — has been steady. People are still traveling, but they’re just going to different places. And that doesn’t mean they’re avoiding destinations often thought of as American symbols.
“We have been booking more Disney than we normally do,” Uckotter said.
She also booked two group trips to see the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City.
“Life has to go on,” she said. ©
This article appears in Nov 28 – Dec 4, 2001.