January 25th, 2010 by admin

The travel industry has been struggling over the past two years. With signs of economic improvement on the horizon, 2010 might be a good year to hit the road or drop in on that destination you’ve always dreamed about visiting.
Industry players, like airlines, hotels and cities’

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Article Content:
The travel industry has been struggling over the past two years. With signs of economic improvement on the horizon, 2010 might be a good year to hit the road or drop in on that destination you’ve always dreamed about visiting.

Industry players, like airlines, hotels and cities’ convention and visitors bureaus, have been altering their approach in order to survive these lean times. This has lead to some new travel trends that are much more consumer-friendly. New laws, new destinations, and new ways to save money on the road will also be affecting how and where people travel this year.

Passport, please

Many travelers have simply been staying home for the past two years. During these travel-less times, US passport requirements have changed. If you head aboard, remember that US residents now need a passport to travel anywhere outside of the country, even to Mexico, the Caribbean and Canada. For most people, this will seem a minor inconvenience. Getting a passport is easy enough if you plan two months in advance and fork over the application fee. Passport applications can be completed and sent from your local post office.

Some destinations have been advertising the fact that a passport is not necessary, even though they are not usually associated with the mainland US:

As Colombia enters an new era of peace (Cartagena was never affected by the rebel and cartel violence in the same way as southern cities like Bogotá), this destination will become more and mainstream

Lonely Planet also recognized the small South American nation of Suriname as a hot spot. This Dutch-speaking country on the northern coastline of the continent has an laid-back, un-crowded capitol, diverse culture and plenty of eco-tourism spots in its sparsely inhabited interior.

Oh Canada

Vancouver seems poised to use its hosting duties of this year’s Winter Olympics to create buzz about its tourist attractions. Though it has always been a user-friendly city, it has never been seen as tourist hotspot, especially compared to Montreal. But the pleasant climate (not often below freezing, even in January), attractive cityscapes and diverse culture are all attractive qualities that will be heavily promoted during the Games. The nature of the area, like the mountains that frame the city and the nearby chain of the Canadian Rockies, will surely earn Vancouver some new fans in 2010.

Las Vegas changes its personality

Las Vegas is moving more and more away from its gambling roots. A majority of visitors will still come to try their luck at the tables and slots, but recent developments will help to reinvent the city, if only in a small way. The Vdara City Center Hotel, part of the new City Center complex, will be the first resort hotel in the city that is not associated with a particular casino. City Center’s shopping and dining options and the spas and entertainment venues are still very Las Vegas (that is to say, gaudy and tourist-centered), but gambling is noticeably absent.

With all these trends in mind, it appears that 2010 is going to be a great year for travelers.

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Dubrovnik, Croatia Image: photojenni

Old Town Cartagena at Night Image: nicocrisafulli

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