8 Vacation Spots: What’s Hot and Not in Recession

“Staycation” may be the buzzword of the recession thus far, but that doesn’t mean everyone is spending their holidays at home. With cheap Caribbean deals around and a surge in house-swapping, it’s seeming like the biggest post-recession change isn’t how much we’re traveling so much as where we’re traveling to.

Destinations like Hawaii, Mexico, and the Disney amusement parks all report that they’ve been hit hard by the downturn, even while the cruise industry and campgrounds report record numbers of tourists. We took a closer look some of summer’s most popular destinations to see what’s hot (and not)–so you can see where there might be bargains, or too many recession travelers.

Hawaii
Worldwide economic fears have diminished Hawaii’s tourism industry, with the state experiencing its lowest month for tourism in 18 years back in April and hotel occupancy rates dropping to 75 percent…

Recession Lexicon: Lazylancing

n./ Just when we wondered whether we might be running out of new downturn words, we got a Tweet from adventurous polymath Christina Davidson: “They miss what all my laid off journo friends R doing now. We call ‘lazylancing’ a way to justify travel.”

Lazylancing is when you subsidize your travel with freelance work, as Davidson did last year after being laid off from her job. “I decided to take a couple of months and go backpacking through Turkey and Syria,” she says. A story she wrote for The Atlantic ended up covering a good part of her expenses for the three months. “You may be hard pressed to get anyone to admit to this,” she says—writers want you to think they’re working hard. At the same time, more people may be lazylancing; they might as well. “There are so few regular jobs out there, and it’s a lot cheaper in the third world…

Recession Briefing 8.5: The Downturn Helps Standup

What you need to know today to survive and thrive in the recession.

The recession is sparking a new era in stand-up comedy. People still want to laugh. In fact, they need to laugh. They just can’t afford to go out and spend too much money. (The Atlantic)

The recession has made legal service a more daunting expense for many. That has created a surge of litigants who must navigate the often-bewildering justice system by themselves. (Chicago Tribune)

Fun-seekers venturing out to farm fairs, art festivals and other mainstays of the American summer are finding either crowds or cancellation notices this year. (Associated Press)

If you come across a good article or blog post about the recession pass it on. To receive Recession Briefing in your inbox, subscribe to our daily email.

Recession Briefing 7.16

What you need to know today to survive and thrive in the recession.

To deal with its recession tourism slump, Hawaii is considering the construction of a galactic etherport to fly tourists through space. (The Atlantic)

The recession has failed to dampen philanthropic spirit, with many rich people increasing their charitable giving, according to a new report. (Economist)

New York and California are usually the leaders in producing and losing millionaires. But a new study suggests that on a percentage basis, some smaller cities were hit harder in 2008. (Wall Street Journal/Wealth Report)

What Recession? An Airline for Your Pet

Pet Airways launched Tuesday with the tagline “Travel for your best friend.” And “where pets fly in the main cabin, NOT in cargo!”

Well, thank goodness for that. If your pet has been roughing it in this downturn, good news is that Pet Airways is here. For just $300 *each way*, you can send your pup from New York to Los Angeles and back. If you want to meet him there, you’ll have to find your own way. So far, only dogs and cats are welcome.

The pets will be treated to regular bathroom, feeding and play stops along the way, and they will each have their own carrier spot where seats usually go. Flight attendants will check on the pets en route every fifteen minutes.

The real sign that boomier times are here? Pet Airways is booked for the next two months…

Recessionary Travel Devices

Ah, summer. A time of travel, fun — and trying to cut down on staycations. If you’re getting away this summer, or even thinking about it, The Simple Dollar has these rules for keeping costs down. The list was written for businesses, but it seems useful for anyone heading out on the road:

Plan around public transportation. Before you leave, figure out how to get to your hotel using public transportation in the city, print out the route, and keep it with you. Do the reverse for the return trip as well.

Make lodging reservations directly with the branch you’re staying at. Use web sites to identify places to stay, but before reserving a room, call the hotel directly before using the online reservation system and don’t hesitate to ask for a reduced rate while on the phone. You’re likely to get a much better rate, particularly if it’s out of season, during the week, or you’re staying for a longer period.

Don’t spend a dime in the airport. Throw a few granola bars and an empty bottle into your carry-on bag…

Recession Briefing 7.7

What you need to know today to survive and thrive in the recession.

Sperm banks and donor agencies say the recession is prompting a surge in calls from people who hope to make money by donating their sperm or eggs. (USA Today)

Pamplona, Spain, is known for daredevils sprinting with one-ton fighting bulls. But a new brand of jitters has set in at one of the world’s great fiestas as businesses ponder the partypooping impact of economic woes. (Associated Press)

A group of the biggest U.S. banks said they would stop accepting California’s IOUs on Friday. (Wall Street Journal)

Recession Briefing 6.16

What you need to know today to survive and thrive in the recession.

The Obama administration has turned back pleas for emergency aid from one of the biggest remaining threats to the economy — the state of California. (Washington Post)

Credit card companies are increasingly doing something they have historically scorned: settling delinquent accounts for substantially less than the amount owed. (New York Times)

As the recession lingers on, more travelers are redeeming their frequent flyer miles. (USA Today) But credit card companies have said they may be reducing rewards. (Recessionwire)

Many companies are turning to a novel but unheralded program known as work-sharing, where employers reduce their workers’ weekly hours, often by 20 or 40 percent, and then states make up some of the lost wages. (New York Times)

Since the recession started blocking many traditional career paths, record numbers of 20-somethings, and even many established professionals, have ventured out on a new track: public service. (Houston Chronicle)

Like many Americans who have been forced to redefine success because of the recession, laid off auto worker Troy Long is trying to shrug off his misfortune and become a professional wrestler. (Washington Post)

The not-so-great financial lessons we learned from board games as kids. (The Big Money)

Still lucky enough to have a job? You’re likely doing the work of two or three people, working longer hours and not getting any extra pay. (CNN/Money)

Everyone knows how the recession has impacted job seekers — there are fewer jobs and lots more competition — but here’s what it looks like from an employer’s side. (U.S. News & World Report)

High style at low prices may be possible for smart shoppers — many of whom are finding the best deals at their neighbors’ houses. (CBS News)

If you come across a good article or blog post about the recession pass it on. To receive Recession Briefing in your inbox, subscribe to our daily email.

What’s Weathering the Summer Recession

This Memorial Day kicked off a different kind of summer for many of us. The warm weather and slower pace are as welcome than ever; the big change is how much less we have to spend. We know what we’ll be keeping a lid on, but were curious about the broader trends across the country. Are summer camps closing? Are barbecues fizzling out? Some of the answers surprised us.

Down: Vactation rentals
Inventory is up and prices are down in resort areas from the Hamptons to New Hampshire’s Lake Winnepesaukee to North Carolina…

Recession Briefing 5.20

What you need to know today to survive and thrive in the recession.

With tightened budgets and layoffs abounding, is it okay to ask for a raise this year? Tread carefully and the request can be both sensitive and successful. (Philadelphia Inquirer)

Welcome to the summer of the furlough. During this recession, everyone from universities to technology companies are using furloughs as a way to cut payroll without further trimming their staffs. (Fortune)

As cash-strapped consumers face escalating food prices, Wal-Mart, Kraft, Unilever and Campbell are using the magical $1 price to appeal to people cooking more at home. (USA Today)