Despite the fact that money is tight for most working Americans, the travel industry is booming. Summer bookings for air and hotels are robust and there are few bargains in play.
While trying to put together a late fall trip to the Caribbean, I stumbled upon this stat: hotel prices down there are 60 higher on average than before Covid.
Even mid-range dwellings are scrapping $800 a night when you add up all the unnecessary charges. Like beach chairs, WiFi, and "resort fees," it never ends. Want breakfast? At least $50 per person in many places. Order a drink? Expect $20 a pop. Sobriety pays.
In the USA, travel is also through the roof. Try renting a car for a week. Crazy. You could put a down payment on a lease for a three week rental.
So what's going on? Two things. First, the travel industry is making up for what it lost during the pandemic lockdown. In addition, Americans need relief; they are looking to have some fun in the middle of growing societal chaos.
If you spend some time investigating, you might keep costs down. If you have a tent, that might help. Or a skateboard. But inflation dominates as the summer of '24 approaches. Nothing is cheap or easy.
As old Walter Cronkite once said: "that's the way it is."
