Traveling can be a lot of fun, but it’s also expensive. One of the biggest costs is staying in hotels, so it pays to know some strategies for saving money on accommodations.
The best way to save on hotel prices is by booking directly with the hotel chain. Doing so eliminates the cost of commissions paid to third-party websites and many chains will offer a lowest-price guarantee. If you find a lower price on an aggregator site, contact the hotel and see if they will match it—they often do. This can result in extra freebies, like gift cards to use toward a future stay.
Another tried and true method for saving on hotels is to adjust your travel dates. It’s no secret that hotels are busiest during peak tourism seasons, when they need to fill their rooms to make a profit. But going off season can cut your costs significantly by avoiding the crowds.
Lastly, you can save on hotel rates by cutting out the middleman and using rideshare apps to book your accommodation. These apps have become a mainstay in the travel industry and offer users flexibility, convenience and, in some cases, even discounted rates.
While the travel and tourism industries technically cater to slightly different audiences, they’re tightly connected in terms of their basic product: enjoyment. Managing the many elements involved in traveling—including transportation, accommodations and hospitality, tourism and leisure, food and beverage, and entertainment—requires the collaboration of multiple sectors to provide the ultimate experience for travelers.
With post-pandemic “revenge travel” poised to peak this summer, the U.S. travel industry is preparing to welcome back guests looking for new experiences and ways to stretch their dollars, according to EY’s Sachin Avadhani and Michael Selinger. “The key to success this year will be to make the trip feel authentic and unique, whether that’s through education on a destination or an unexpected surprise or delight,” they said.
Whether you’re looking for an opulent and iconic grand hotel, a quirky and cool-minded boutique, a picturesque inn straight out of a storybook or a budget-friendly hostel or Airbnb experience, there’s a hotel to fit every traveler’s needs. The most important thing is to find the one that works best for you. Using the tips and tricks above, you’re sure to find the perfect accommodation for your next getaway. Happy traveling!