Travel Weekly, a periodical for the travel business, carries a Travel Weekly Portfolio that tracks the current stock value of the company with its stock value one year ago - and results for most seem awfully dismal:

Dollar Thrifty - 91.2%

Travelzoo -65%

Hertz Global Holdings -63%

Avis Budget Group -76%

Accor -32%

American Express -38%

Cumulative listings of several dozens of the biggest travel corps was down -38%

not including airlines were down -36%

Seems to me they are US based companies largely affected by the depressed US dollar.

It strikes me that there is too much doom and gloom amongst Americans about the US dollar and how it's impacted on travel plans. Maybe it's the fault of the media whipping this issue up. I think it boils down to Americans having to travel smarter to make their dollar stretch. The use of cut price airlines, cheaper hotels or using self catering accommodation for example would still allow them to fulfill their travel dreams.

No, seems to me they are car rental companies greatly affected by the high cost of gas.

Reality check. We've now had 3 rounds of layoffs of major companies - over 3,000 jobs.

That's 2% of the population and something like 5% of the workforce. And that's only from 3 plant closings. It doesn't include all the small companies (less than 100 people) laying off people.

People aren't going to spend money on frivolous activities like travel in that sort of environment. Most people we know aren't even driving on vacation. They're staying home and going to the local pool or ball game.

Well there have been lay offs here in Oz and our gas prices are higher than yours but I don't get the impression people's travel plans are affected.

Cruise Ship Values took a hit as well:

Star Cruises -65%
Royal Caribbean -30%
Carnival Corp -12%

and for booking engines:

Orbitz Worldwide -58%
Priceline.com -48%
Travelzoo -65%

<i>Seems to me they are US based companies largely affected by the depressed US dollar.</i>

I suggest taking a peak at the latest earnings announcements for BA and AF/KLM, or some of the recent statements coming from Qantas. The doom and gloom contained therein will quickly disabuse you of any notions that this is restricted to the US.

British Air -38%
Air France-KLM -42%
Ryanair - 10%

Many travellers are already budget travellers. About the only cuts possible for them would be swimming to Europe, sleeping rough, and stealing food.

Plenty of good points here. OK there is evidence of a slowdown. But my questions is why? One argument is fuel costs. But has it added that much more to your trip? For my forthcoming trip fuel hikes have added 5% to my trip. Now I'm very much a budget traveller but I still find it relatively insignificant compared to the overall cost. And is there really that many lay offs that it's affecting people's travel plans? I guess what I'm suggesting is that there's no need for the current &quot;hysteria&quot;. There's plenty of good travel deals out there that will help you balance the ledger.

Why is leisure travel down? My 2008/09 heating bill will be &gt;$2000 higher than last season due to heating oil costs. Since the payment plan runs July-June I'm already paying ~$200 more / mo to the oil co. Salary hasn't increased 1c. That money comes straight out of my discretionary spending.

Airfares are one reason, but inflation -- both in the U.S. and overseas -- is adding to travel costs. A few years ago a $200 room in Italy was a splurge for me. Now I'm grateful if I can find a pretty hotel under $250. Yes, I know this is relative, but I think you get my drift. The same holds true for food. Add in the declining dollar, and people need to think twice on how they will spend their money once necessities are paid for -- for some people, discretionary income is melting away with the cost of energy, food, etc. Unemployment is inching its way up, and people are concerned about their jobs in the future. I've been fortunate enough to travel a lot, and my co-workers look at me in wonder. For them it's only a dream, and as the economy worsens, that dream is floating away for them.

The one other thing I will mention is the hassle in flying. I never liked it...now I hate it. I have to fly on my job, but vacation is voluntary. I know some people who just don't want to deal with the hassle.

OK J62 I understand that hurts but wouldn't you think about a cheaper holiday then? For eg. you might have gone to Europe before but now may go to South America instead. Paris or London might be too pricey now but what about Spain or Turkey as an alternative. I know money is tighter - hell, we've travelled with the crappy AUD$ for a few years now so we know all about budget travel :'(

Yes, I certainly am thinking about a cheaper holiday. Your suggestion that instead of traveling to London or Paris reminds me of a 19th c French quote. (paraphrase)

Your highness, the people have no Paris vacation to take. All they have is take out bread sandwiches and neighborhood pool water.

No Paris? Let them go to Spain instead.

At times like these, with job uncertainty, stock market decline (real $ gone) and all other costs rising as well it's a good time to rethink normal spending habits and build from a simpler base.

Casinos are down as well

Ameristar Casinos -60%
Boyd Gaming - 77%
Gaylord Entertainment -44%
Las Vegas Sands Corp -37%
MGM Mirage -60%

Fodor's +250%

Interesting stuff Palenq.

I;m signed up for every cruise company email - the sales are coming in 10 at a time - and every week Las Vegas is sending me offers for free room plus a dvd player or $50 gas ticket or whatever - (they must think I'm some kind of big gambler not - although I do love those one armed bandits -

but I figure by the time I get through with Las Vegas it would cost me $1000 to $1500 which is airfare to Paris (although last time my free room in Vegas had the Eiffel Tower right in front of the penthouse window = and I could see the Bellagio fountains and hear them a bit too.

Really they must have me confused with someone else , but I'm not going to tell them grinning.