9. Closing Thoughts and Remarks

Snap decisions can pay off, Days or hours could make all the difference in our on-demand, technology reliant, enabled and results driven world, consumers and now even travel solutions. The process itself has become streamlined, effective, open and more casual, some say even empowered, more-so than ever before.

The travel industry and our old habits, ways of doing things are fast and ever changing. There are lots of debates and opinions on whether you save anything by actually booking early these days! According to studies done by the Travel Association of America the majority of modern travelers book their trips not more than two weeks in advance. Obviously this could be due to numerous reasons. T

here are increasingly more and more discount travel offers to be had online. Both leisure and business travel are included in this trend.

There are more seats and beds to sell in a shorter time frame, less and less people are booking travel in advance, leaving providers and industry players with the challenge of finding creative ways to make the formula for success work (both ways!) ENTER last minute travel deals! There are lots of thoughts that waiting could actually be a good thing these days with lots of bargains to be had.

When the travel business is suffering these types of bookings are lifesavers that provide a steady stream of revenue, albeit lower, at least it is something! Most would gladly do the deal than risk not getting any at all. The game has changed, for both sides of the fence and the new economy finds strange bedfellows exploring mutually beneficial value-propositions like last minute travel to survive, even grow and/or thrive, where others who opt not to miss out and even risk going under.

As more and more of us get comfortable with online purchasing traveling will not escape this modern trend of bargain hunting online.
There are even websites capitalizing on this trend and at the forefront of a lot of the vibe, buzz and energy created in and around the industry and travel in general. It is in effect reshaping the landscape and face, processes and outcomes of travel.

Packaging and bundling travel deals have gone a long way to find great value for travelers and consumers. Tourism in general is still hurting from some industry, economical and global aftermath and fallout. As and industry and sector it has not remained unscathed by these forces and negative impacts.

Low occupancy rates, empty seats they all make people more nervous and negatively impacts success and growth. This is one way the players are dealing with it! Last minute deals are popular and getting more-so every day. This is evidence of a BIG paradigm shift for most consumers. Their behavior shows that they have adapted to the challenges and opportunities that this new trend and circumstance has brought with it.

Internet specials and midweek offerings and lower cost options are getting more and more prevalent and accepted practice.

Most argue that as the economy gets better and world events stabilize so will the travel industry and with it will disappear the last minute deal. Others are not so sure about that. They think that consumers are getting used to these deals and specials as standard and what was the gold standard or edge today, will be the new pre-requisite for tomorrow.

If you are impulsive by nature, or even if you are not , these deals will have something for everyone. You will not be able to pass it up!

There are last minute travel clubs, discussion boards, blogs and forums going up everywhere. Globally people are advising each other on where the best deals are to be had and most are spending the time online to find and secure what they need even on short notice. This trend will continue and grow. Stand-by travel-deals and last minute bookings are not really that new, they have just moved onto the fore-front more now.