Even in a Bad Economy It's a Friendly Planet When it Comes to Exotic Travel

03-02-2009

Eight-day India tour for $999, including airfare; eight days in Ecuador for $1,259

 

Jenkintown, Pa.-March 2, 2009-Tough times spell great savings for those who love to visit exotic locales. And now is the time to find great trips at once-in-a-lifetime prices. For instance this week, Friendly Planet Travel, one of the Internet's leading group travel companies, announced an eight-day group tour of India, Taj Mahal Express, for an unbelievable $999. It comes with roundtrip non-stop airfare from New York, superior four-star hotel accommodations, and expert guided tours of the Taj Mahal, Delhi, and Agra. That price compares to about $1,200 for similar roundtrip non-stop airfare alone, according to the Internet site Expedia.

Why the tremendous savings? According to Peggy Goldman, President of Friendly Planet Travel, exotic locations, many of which are in developing countries, have been seriously impacted by the worldwide economic downturn. "These are travel destinations that depend on American travelers and American dollars to survive," Goldman says. "They felt the impact quickly, and they are more than willing to discount accommodations and services in order to stimulate tourism to help protect their livelihoods."

Goldman says the degree of discounting is something she has not seen in her 30 years in the travel industry. "We are being bombarded by providers-airlines, hotels, land operators and even state-sponsored travel bureaus-desperate to sustain their tourism trade, and they are cutting prices on everything from hotel rooms to airline tickets."

As an example, Goldman says that her group airline pricing, which peaked during the summer of 2008, when oil prices spiked jet fuel costs, has fallen by hundreds of dollars to destinations such as India, Ecuador, and Thailand. At the same time, hotels-many of which were built to accommodate western travelers-are also discounting deeply, especially for group travel operators who can purchase blocks of rooms or airline seats.

You add up the savings and group travelers are benefiting from prices that would have been hard to match a decade ago. Yet ironically, within that decade, the quality of travel in many exotic locations has matured to such a degree that it's now on par with creature comforts found in the most developed countries.

"The global financial meltdown has affected us all," says Goldman. "But for those who love to travel to exotic locales, this is a truly amazing opportunity to go far, see plenty, live well, and spend very little. For the many Americans who can afford to travel, now is the time to make long-held dreams come true, and see the world at remarkable prices."

For more information about Friendly Planet Travel, please contact Jackie Zima at 610-228-2138, 215-534-2973 (mobile), or write to Jackie@GregoryFCA.com.

 

ABOUT FRIENDLY PLANET TRAVEL

 

Friendly Planet Travel (www.FriendlyPlanet.com) makes high-quality exotic travel affordable for everyone. Since 1981, Friendly Planet Travel has been arranging all-inclusive escorted discount vacation packages and cruises to the most exciting destinations in the world at the lowest possible prices. 

 

Each year, Friendly Planet Travel offers more than 30 different group travel packages to Asia, the Middle East, Africa, Europe and South America-at discounts of hundreds of dollars off similar vacations. With no hidden charges, add-ons or surprises, Friendly Planet Travel vacations include convenient flights and airfare, carefully-selected first-class and superior hotels, knowledgeable English-speaking guides, many meals and itineraries as well as friendships and memories that last a lifetime.  

 

Friendly Planet Travel offers its extensive, economical travel services to private groups including universities, religious institutions, alumni associations and families. Groups who wish to travel together can count on Friendly Planet Travel's three decades of experience to operate their group travel program expertly and always at the very best possible prices.

 

Visit us at www.FriendlyPlanet.com.

 

[Back to Press Releases Main]