Saturday, Jul 11, 2009

Gulf News

Travel time has rolled around again. Whether you're planning an African safari or an Asian getaway, there are some things to keep in mind before you head off, to ensure you don't break the bank.

So, we've asked travel and financial experts to share some tips on how you can enjoy your holiday without spending so much money.

It is always practical that you have an idea where you are heading and what awaits you when you reach your destination.

A carefully planned trip will at least tell you how much money you need to set aside. There's also enough room to make travel arrangements and search for better rates ahead of time.

Decide early on how you will spend your holiday - whether you want to travel in business or economy class, if you want a guided tour or you opt for a car rental service, five-star or hostel accommodation.

Is a package or an all-inclusive tour best for you? Is it really necessary to get a travel agent's assistance?

Questions like these should be settled before you open your wallet. Once you've purchased the tickets, it will be too late (and costly) to cancel the booking when you find a cheaper package tour.

If you're travelling with the kids, involve them in the planning stage.

"Life can be miserable if you don't. However, you have to manage their expectations so that everyone enjoys the trip," says Gurnos Stonuary, business services manager at Nexus.

"Involve the children even before you set off on holiday. Tell them where you are going, how they will travel, how long that will take, where they will live on arrival, and what your budget is per day for family spending. Then put them to work on the internet to explore the area long before they arrive," adds Steve Gregory of Holborn Assets.

A one-month stay in a luxurious villa on a private island in the Maldives sound really tempting, but can you afford it? People need to decide what their holiday budget is based on, what they can afford and stick to it, Stonuary points out.

Since the cost of accommodation and travel are fixed, the best way to avoid overspending is to set a daily pocket money for everyone. This should cover the basic daily spending requirements like travel to and from the accommodation and meals.

"With my family, we used to set a daily budget for all of us& A fixed amount of spending money was drawn once a day from the cash point. When it was gone, we went back to our accommodation to watch TV, or walked on the beach or played board games," says Gregory.

It may be the travel season, but there are still better deals waiting to be snapped up. They could be tickets, hotels or tour packages. The key is to shop around and compare prices. Call up hotels, airlines, travel agents and check out travel booking websites. Sure, it's a lot of work, but it will deliver you big savings.

Daniel, an expatriate from Europe, learned this lesson the hard way. He recently asked a travel agent in Dubai to book the cheapest round trip ticket to his hometown in France. The travel agent returned to him with the tab: Dh3,300. And since he was paying with his credit card, he was charged an extra Dh195.

If he had shopped around or booked the same flight directly on the airline's website, he would have paid only Dh3,000 - without extra charges. That's equivalent to a saving of Dh495

"I felt I got ripped off. But it was too late to back out. I'd already paid for the ticket," he says.

When booking accommodation, a trick worth trying is to ask for a free upgrade, a discount or free extra nights. This usually works if you're dealing with hotels struggling to fill empty rooms.

If you choose to book a ticket yourself, you can save money if you pick overnight or weekday flights.

"Overnight flights and weekday flights are often cheapest, as is holidaying out of season and during school term time," notes Stonuary.

Booking tickets early can also save you money.

"Ideally, the best way to get the cheapest fare is to book early and take advantage of the lowest booking class. This could range between three weeks to two months [in advance], depending on the airlines' seat availability and inventory management," says Premjit Bangara, travel manager at Sharaf Travel.

Sure, a Dh1,500 one-week package tour to London sounds like a steal deal, but what's the catch? Are taxes included?

"When booking flights and hotels, check the taxes and charges that will be added before you sign on the dotted line. For example, a flight promotion for Dh200 may end up being Dh2,200 by the time all the extras have been added," Stonuary cautions.

If you're travelling with a family or a large group, the cheaper alternative would be to rent an apartment or a villa. Apart from the fact that they're cheaper, their kitchens can spare you from paying for expensive restaurant lunches and dinners.

Gregory also recommends the YMCA for lone travellers or young couples.

"Bed and breakfast can also be considerably cheaper than hotels. Some hostels these days cater [to] families also," he says.

But before you book that quaint apartment out of town, find out first if it's close to the places you want to see.

"Staying out of town can be a good option as it can be significantly cheaper, but then you have to remember you could end up spending a lot on transport," Stonuary adds.

Find out if the destination you're eyeing has safe public campsites. You may not get five-star accommodation, but if you're looking for some adventure, sleeping in a tent can be a whole lot of fun. After all, adventure is what travelling is all about, right?

You may only need to pay a minor entrance fee, yet enjoy the best view of the mountains or the beach. There's no doubt it will save you lots of money.

Buying airfare, hotel stay and probably car rental together is a good money-saving strategy.

Travel agents who come up with bundled offers usually offer competitive rates. Travel packages also prove to be useful to those making last-minute plans.

"For us, accommodation was the biggest cost, so we often went for all-inclusive deals with full board and [beverages], if we were taking a hotel," says Gregory.

Taking a cruise can keep holiday costs to a minimum. The money you pay usually covers everything - from accommodation to food and entertainment. Sometimes, you get free pocket money for shopping aboard the ship!

"One of the cheapest holidays possible is a cruise. The children are entertained all day and evening, and food never stops arriving," says Gregory.

Of course, part of the fun in exploring a new place is shopping. But make sure you don't get tempted into buying souvenir items in the hotel lobby or in a tourist-crowded spot, because chances are they are overpriced. Vendors in tourist shops may be all too friendly and accommodating but you're better off keeping your wallet closed.

"Tourist shops are invariably way more expensive than the shops used by locals - more often than not because of the commission they offer local tour guides to take their clients in. Going to the local market and bartering for a one-off souvenir is part of a holiday experience, and some great bargains can be found. But buying very expensive items should be avoided," says Stonuary.

What tips do you have to save money while holidaying? Are you able to find good deals during summer breaks? Or would you prefer travelling during off-peak seasons?

By Cleofe Maceda, Staff Reporter

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