What Tour Packages Do People Buy At Natas Fair August 2011?

Hi Friends,

Today is the last day of Natas Fair August 2011. Are you curious what tour packages do people buy at Natas fair?

Here is some summarized report from Channel News Asia:-

1) With a weakening Euro and US dollars, tour packages to Europe and US become the preferred travel destinations.

2) Japan and South Korea are also expected to be one of the best sellers. Sales to Japan are stabilizing after the March earthquake and fear of radiation  fades away. There could be pent up demand for Japan tour packages as people have delayed their travel plans during first half of 2011.

3) However, with the slowdown of global economy, people are generally cautious about spending. People may cut down the number of trips they make this year.

4) Singaporeans do love to travel. It is a way to pamper themselves after a year of hard work. An interesting survey revealed that 60% of respondents make 2-3 trips per year and 12% make more than 4 trips per year.

Do you know that if you are on a tour packages, the weakening Euro and US dollars do not necessarily make these tour packages cheaper?

Last year, my friend went on a Europe trip. She was telling me that tour packages went up by S$500 instead. We thought that the strong demands of tour packages to these countries, coupled with high fuel charges sent the tour package prices higher.

Having said that, travelers still benefit from the weakening Euro and US dollars on out of pocket expenses such as shopping, meals during free and easy day which are not included in the tour packages. Such expenses are denominated in the source country currency and thats why travelers can benefit from a stronger Singapore dollars.

My personal thought is if you really want to benefit from a stronger Singapore dollars, then why not do a free and easy tour? When you join a tour package, about 70% of the traveling expenses are already fixed in SGD. However, when you do a free and easy tour, you control more than 70% of the expenses in the weakened currency.

First, you book your own airfare from Singapore to your travel destination. Airfare prices have remained more or less unchanged.

Next, you book hotels and land tours, which prices are denominated in the weakened currency.

For travelers who do free and easy tour, always remember to check the movement of currency. It is always a method to stretch your traveling budget when you go to a travel destination where their currency is weaker. So this year, consider skipping  Australia!

Last but not least, always enjoy your trip after spending your money!

Cheers,

Karen