Expedia Trendwatch Focuses on Deals for Consumers

The Expedia Travel Trendwatch highlights how unparalleled travel industry dynamics –specifically the economy, the rising value of the dollar and a drop in oil prices- are creating significant travel opportunities for consumers.

The report also highlights the best value destinations domestically and abroad, as well as tips for making the most of vacation dollars. Average daily hotel rates fell significantly in the first quarter of 2009 compared to the first quarter of 2008.

Las Vegas is down 34 percent, New York is down 22 percent, San Diego is down 16 percent and Orlando is down 14 percent. Average airfare prices are also down significantly compared to last year.

For example, flight prices on New York to Las Vegas routes were down 15 percent in the first quarter 2009 compared to 2008. The average cabin rate for Caribbean cruises dropped 19 percent on Norwegian Cruise Lines and 18 percent on Disney Cruises in the first quarter 2009 compared to the same period last year.

International value destinations this year include Lima, Peru and Toronto, Canada where flight prices declined 13 percent and 25 percent respectively in the first quarter of 2009 compared to the first quarter of 2008.

Driven by incredible values at higher quality properties, Expedia customers are using their same vacation budget to upgrade to hotel properties that might have been out of their price range last year.

The average daily rate at a five-star hotel property in the U.S. was $237 in the first quarter of 2009, down 25 percent from the first quarter last year. Travelers are taking notice –five-star hotel vacation package bookings in the U.S. are up 61 percent in the first quarter of 2009 compared to the first quarter of 2008. In 2008, Expedia customers worldwide saved more than $248 million by booking hotel and airfare together.