Reality Check:Agents Say US Leisure Travel Spending Recovering
Leisure travel spending is bouncing back in 2010 as U.S. consumer sentiment gradually repairs, but prices are beginning to firm again from recession lows, according to travel agents. Travel specialists said momentum started building in the fourth quarter, and first-quarter travel bookings are well outpacing those of 2009. Per-trip spending is rising, especially on airfare, though lodging perks like free nights and meals are sticking around for now. Recession-era trends like shorter stays are still in place, but travelers are booking further in advance than they were last year
