Guilt Trips Overcome Extravagant Trips

In the past, the affluent have unabashedly taken luxury trips to exotic locations costing big money. Recent months show a slow down in top dollar vacations, although folks are still traveling.

The recent trend in taking a trip seems to be a guilt trip; at least by those who have the funds to travel. A general feeling is that even if you “have” it, you don’t want to be flaunting it in times of extensive job layoffs and economic uncertainty. They feel it does not convey a positive message, and that it is embarrassing to indulge in vacations causing thousands of dollars. Those who are still planning to travel are feeling the need to cut back to assuage their own guilt for spending; decreasing the travel time, traveling coach instead of first class and using frequent flyer miles. And they are being much more tactful in their spending; gone are the days of showing off and boasting about extravagances.

It is not just the affluent that is feeling “luxury shame”, however. Those who have been planning vacations feel the need to downsize their vacation fervor in the face of neighbors and family members who have lost their jobs. Most people, in fact, of the middle class status have indicated that they plan to cut back on travel plans, while at least a quarter of the upper middle class are doing the same.

That is not to say that there is not extravagant spending going on. There are reports of outlandishly expensive offerings being marketed in several venues. Cocktails at one Las Vegas nightclub, complete with stingray cuff links for the men and a gold necklace for the ladies, carry a $10,000 price tag. A night in Barbuda in a private resort can be had for a mere $18,000, while in Waikiki, a guest can use, for free, custom top of the line vehicles such as a Maserati Gran Turismo. Free, that is, when booking a $7,000 per night premier suite at the resort.

For the most part, however, it is evident that the current economic status, which reverberates across the world, is affecting the spending habits of just about everyone. In a time of high discounts and resulting low prices for travel, however, this is still the time to grab great deals when you are able.