Travelers can expect to find some great deals worldwide in 2015. Whether you want to take a trip to the tropics, head to the Far East or stay in the good ol’ U.S.A., there are several spots where you can get a lot of bang for your vacation buck. Here are four bargain destinations for domestic travelers and three international destinations that will offer significant savings due to increased competition for tourists.
Domestic vacations
Dallas. This Texas city tops discount travel site Priceline.com’s list of the most affordable destinations for 2015. Not only does it have the lowest average hotel room rate ($86.31 per night) of any major metropolitan area, but also Dallas boasts many attractions, according to Priceline. The city hosts festivals throughout the year, has several arts venues and five major professional sports teams.
Texas Hill Country. After a stop in Dallas, head south to Texas Hill Country -- Austin and San Antonio, in particular. These two cities are primed to open nearly a half-dozen new hotels next year, says Travelzoo senior editor Gabe Saglie. So inventory to fill means deals will be available. Plus, there are plenty of arts, culture, history, nightlife and outdoor activities to soak up in Austin and San Antonio.
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Orlando. Although Orlando's main attraction, Walt Disney World, can be pricey, visitors can find plenty of affordable accommodations outside the theme park. The Florida city ranks third on Priceline’s list of most affordable destinations for 2015, with an average daily room rate of $89.57. In addition to staying off-property, here are more ways to save money at Walt Disney World. And Priceline travel editor Brian Ek recommends avoiding Orlando during the peak spring break travel period, when pricing isn't as competitive because hotels quickly fill up with tourists.
Salt Lake City. The capital of Utah is the gateway to nearby ski resorts and several popular national parks including Arches, Yellowstone and Grand Teton. Plus, there’s plenty to do in and around Salt Lake City, especially for outdoor enthusiasts. It’s Priceline’s second most-affordable city for 2015, with an average daily room rate of $88.24.
International vacations
Asian cruises. China may not seem like an obvious choice for cruising, but Shanghai has poured serious money into building its cruising infrastructure to handle the world’s largest ships, Saglie says. As a result, cruise lines are adding new ships and itineraries throughout Asia, including China, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, South Korea, Sri Lanka and Thailand. As cruise lines compete to fill their cabins, expect to see more deals, he says.
Brazil. Brazil’s investment in infrastructure for the 2014 World Cup and the 2016 Summer Olympics will put pressure on travel companies to entice international travelers to the region, Saglie says. So you can expect to see some great discounts on hotels – including the 400 new hotels that will be operational by 2016. Travelers flying out of Florida can also take advantage of the increased competition generated from new routes out of Miami offered by American Airlines), and new routes out of Fort Lauderdale and Orlando offered by Azul Brazilian Airlines, he says.
Puerto Rico. Americans don’t need a passport to escape to this tropical island that is a territory of the U.S. Thanks to the addition of new and increased services from airports around the U.S. in recent months, flights to Puerto Rico are now among the cheapest to the Caribbean, Saglie says.
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