Financing a Vacation

I have been communicating with several doctors and nurses over the world about the future of travel in the wake of the Financial crisis in the U.S, Canada  and other parts of the world.

It seems that travel and tourism are down all over. In Winnipeg this does not seem as obvious and it would appear that Manitobans are still proceeding with their vacations regardless of the situation,

The travel industry is adjusting and may be giving out deals but I think one major driving force for us is some escape from the Winnipeg Winter which we all expect each year.

Through the years I ask people about what they are doing and how long they are staying which is always part of my assessment of what vaccines or anti-malarial medication to recommend. People differ in their situations across the board but I have noticed some effective strategies some have used to make ends meet.

Many families seem to go on one big vacation every 2-3 years (I know this because that was the last time they saw me). They still have an annual vacation but one much lower key such as the southern US. This has an added benefit of making the big trips more special and something to look foreword to.

Some travelers, more likely backpackers go out on extended stays with the intention to get work. This is more easily to do with a legal working visa now more than ever. In the past illegal working travelers can be a vulnerable population in a foreign country. There are accounts of after agreeing to work under the table being cheated and in some cases never being fully paid. When you take on a job illegally you lose some of your legal rights with local authorities since workers fear being deported if found out. It is now important to get the necessary working visa to avoid this ugly scenario.

Some travelers come to see me after they finished paying off their visa bills from their prior vacation.

There are people who relate how they worked two jobs, saved up and are now ready to travel. These travelers are always best prepared.

Some people are not picky where they will go to and come to me asking for vaccinations that would cover either Mexico, Dominican Republic or Cuba because they know they are going t go to one of these hot spots as soon as the deals are announced.

Fortunately the vaccinations are very similar except some parts of the Dominican Republic require anti-malarial medications. In most cases though it is very easy to accommodate last minute travelers.

In our current economic forecast it is always better to pay off preexisting debt or save up for big purchases (car, house etc. ). Being in a situation of debt after a vacation is no fun and always puts you in a negative situation with money unavailable for other purposes.

Doing the math, high interest loans such as credit card or overdraft become much more difficult to pay off.

I believe also that travelers also enjoy their vacation when they know they have earned it and can relax completely. Staying on a reasonable budget while traveling will ultimately allow travelers to do more trips in their lifetime too.

Lastly although it is important to work hard when times are tough everyone always needs a vacation for their mental and physical health. If you can t afford to travel far make sure you do the some time for yourself even pending time at home with friends and family.