Travel trends changing in down economy

NEW YORK — So we're going away on weekends and sticking close to home.

But are we taking a cruise? Traveling with the girls? Vacationing with the kids?

Here's how the economy is changing the way we travel.

SECOND CITY: Some smaller cities are stealing the glory.

Both Fort Myers, Fla. and Charleston, S.C., experienced double digit growth in January 2009 over January 2008, based on American Express Travel bookings.

Cities such as Tucson, Ariz., Palm Springs, Calif. and Portland, Ore. are also becoming popular destinations, with Travelocity data showing increases of 12 percent, 13 percent and 38 percent over last year.

Even Philadelphia's star is rising, said Travelocity senior editor Genevieve Shaw Brown.

Brown said it's hard to pinpoint the reason for the spikes: it could be a decrease in airfare or hotel prices, excellent marketing or a larger travel trend.

For example, hotel rates in Fort Myers are down about 10 percent, she said. Fort Myers and Sanibel Island are known for beaches, wildlife viewing and history, such as the Edison & Ford Winter Estates.

But hotel rates in Portland are up, she said.

She attributes Philadelphia's popularity spike to good marketing, a decrease in airfare of 16 percent compared to the overall 8 percent decrease for domestic flights and more interest in historic destinations in general.

Some secondary cities do benefit in a down economy because people are seeking shorter trips, said Gabe Saglie, senior editor of Travelzoo. So someone in New York who wants to get away for the weekend may take a trip to Philadelphia.

He said as big cities rev up their marketing to woo travelers, smaller cities may get some of the trickle down tourism.

FAMILY TRAVEL: Families are going back to the basics, says Brown. So rather than take a two-week vacation to Europe, they may go to a national park, she said.

David Mandt, spokesman for the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions, is cautiously optimistic about the summer season for the 400 theme parks in the U.S. He said even when gas was $4 a gallon in 2008, people continued to visit theme parks — they simply selected parks closer to home.

"Fundamentally our guests still have a need to get away and have fun with their friends and families," he said.

While for years, park operators have used special offers, promotions and discounts to encourage families to visit at a specific time, he said the deals may be easier to find this year, especially when it comes to packages that include accommodations.