Despite the impact of higher fuel prices on the cost of travel, resourceful Americans are finding ways to travel for the holidays this year - even if it means adjusting their plans. More
than half of American adults (53 percent) are planning to travel this year,
according to a recent survey by discount travel site Hotwire.com.  Of those
traveling, 61 percent stated that fuel prices have impacted their travel
plans.
The survey results underscore how Americans continue to value celebrating
the holiday tradition of traveling to see family and friends - or to simply
get away. While fuel prices have impacted travel plans, the majority of
Americans are still traveling. In fact, only 7 percent of those surveyed
decided not to travel this holiday season as originally planned. Americans
determined to travel this season are finding ways to adjust their plans and
compensate for higher fuel prices.  The top three strategies for those whose
plans have been affected by fuel prices:  taking fewer holiday trips, cutting
down on the amount of time traveling or using a different mode of
transportation.
  For those Americans balancing the cost of holiday travel and gift
purchases, many are finding that their shopping list is outweighing the cost
of traveling for the holidays.  The majority of those planning travel and
purchasing gifts (63 percent) will spend less on travel compared to holiday
gift purchases.  In fact, only 17 percent of those traveling will spend more
on travel than holiday gifts.
  “The good news is that there are still ways for travelers to find savings
on holiday travel. By traveling on off-peak days between Nov. 29 and Dec. 19,
you can find significantly lower prices,” said Barbara Messing, vice president
of customer experience at Hotwire. “And traveling on the holiday itself like
Thanksgiving, Christmas Day, or New Year’s Eve can also yield lower prices for
yuletide airfares, but still allow Americans to be home for the holidays.”
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