q I love luxury travel but I feel that many holidays, hotels and flights are still overpriced. Do you have any tips on how to get the best deal possible?
a You are right to be concerned about getting value for money. As many consumers know, the global recession has hit the travel industry hard and the luxury end even harder. The five-star hotel market has suffered a massive drop in demand just as huge numbers of high-end properties, from exclusive boutique operations to large chains, have opened across Asia, Europe and the US. Companies have reduced their spending on business travel and many premium travel services have been abandoned by customers looking to scale down their spending.
The good news is that with so many travel providers now competing for business, it is now possible to experience luxury for an affordable price. Prices for first- and business-class tickets have dropped, so that people who would normally have flown economy can now consider upgrading. Airlines are now offering many more incentives, including discounts, extra loyalty points and lounge access, to encourage travellers to buy premium tickets and retain existing customers. Hotels have also resorted to unprecedented levels of discounting, special offers and yet more loyalty points to people willing to book and stay for longer.
Another thing that should work in your favour is the extent to which the luxury travel market has expanded over the past 10 years. As this week's Top 10 by Adriaane Pielou shows, experiencing luxury is no longer simply a matter of booking an expensive hotel in London, Paris or New York, or a holiday at a resort in the Seychelles or the Caribbean. Luxury these days often means isolation, exclusivity and uniqueness, and a growing number of holiday companies have been established to cater to this demand. Countries such as Bhutan, Vietnam, India and many nations in South America are now repositioning themselves as luxury destinations - with prices to match.
As with all aspects of travel, the best deals go to people who are willing to research their destinations thoroughly, shop around and are prepared to deal direct. Many of the best deals are available online. It's always worth checking a hotel's rate online before putting the same dates for the same property into any number of travel websites such as lastminute.com and hotels.com. Some hotels will only reduce their rates via third-party websites such as these, although global chains such as Hilton, Starwood, Marriott and Radisson have all offered big discounts and incentives such as three nights for the price of two. As luxury travellers become more demanding and want something different from their travel experience, such companies have had to work even harder to attract guests.
Again, as with any travel service, if you feel that the price is too high it's always worth contacting a hotel directly to ask for a discount, or switching your dates to get a better price. Prices always fluctuate with demand so if you are flexible, you will be in a good position to make the most of current market conditions. Bon voyage! Do you have travel questions or queries? E-mail them to us at travel@thenational.ae
