What to Know About Event Travel to Avoid Paying Higher Rates

As travel planning continues to surge, I have noticed that many events that were forced to cancel the past year and half, have also been rescheduled. Trips are pricing higher than what is typical around the same time when no events are planned.

​Therefore, I thought it would be a good idea to highlight what to look for as you start planning your upcoming vacation, and your options to possibility avoid higher prices.

There’s a dirty little secret about event travel, and that is the fees associated with going to events are more expensive. Call it an event tax if you will, but the simple truth is that traveling to a city that is hosting a big event will cost you more than if you were to travel to the adjacent city or on different dates.

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Why Event Travel is More Expensive?

The unfortunate reality as to why event travel is more expensive goes back to the law of supply and demand. When demand is high, supply goes down, and so prices go up. It’s why hotels that normally charge $89 a night in Tampa, Florida were suddenly charging $350 or more for the exact same room per night the weekend of the Super Bowl. It’s why during the King’s Birthday in Thailand, restaurant, hotel, and attraction tickets tripled overnight.

What to Do If You Want to Travel to an Event?

If you want to visit a city for a festival, to run a marathon, or even just spend time there for a local holiday, you have to plan ahead. If it's the only thing you remember, please plan in advance! The sooner you can book your transportation and hotel accommodations, the more likely you will get the best deal - and most importantly you'll have the best chance to find space in the area, and in the type of accommodation you want. In fact, this is why some people book hotels and flights before they even know who is playing in sporting events as much as a year in advance. As soon as they know where something is being held, they start planning.


Can You Change Your Travel Dates or Travel Area?

In many cases you weren't even aware of a festival, holiday or event happening in the destination you wanted to visit. You may see the high rates and are confused why it's double the price than you've seen before or that it just doesn't feel right if you didn't know better.

I always recommend confirming first to see if there are any special affairs the week you are interested in traveling to said destination. Then you can determine if you want reevaluate your travel dates. You can compare the different weeks to see any savings and determine if it's worth changing dates to avoid the higher pricing, in addition to the more crowds you'll compete with during your stay when going out exploring.
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In some cases, if you book a trip for days outside of the peak time of an event, you can find a better deal. For example, suppose you’re heading to England to watch Wimbledon and only plan on attending the last two days. If you extend your stay after the event is over, the hotel may give you a deal knowing most guests will be checking out after it's over.

Ready to travel, or learn about which destinations you can visit at this time? Let's chat! Schedule with Destinations HD to learn more about our services before you book your next trip.  We can help you navigate the new travel world and plan a stress-free and memorable vacation! 

Need inspiration on where you want to explore next? Take our travel quiz to find out where you should travel next!

Happy travels! 
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