Traveling has changed over the years. Some of it for the better and some for worst. The travel industry experienced one of its most catastrophic setbacks in 2020 with the onset of the pandemic. Amazingly, they began recovery long before other industries to this laypersons’ eyes and according to BEA.gov
The travel and tourism industry—as measured by the real output of goods and services sold directly to visitors—increased 64.4 percent in 2021 after decreasing 50.7 percent in 2020, according to the most recent statistics from the Travel and Tourism Satellite Account (TTSA) of the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA).1 https://apps.bea.gov/scb/issues/2023/02-february/0223-travel-tourism-satellite-account.htm
It feels like there are so many rules and hoops to jump through to simply book a trip. I’m not talking about fancy limos and first class accommodations. More of getting from point A to point B without my knees up under my chin from shortened leg space on planes, the varying levels of “all-inclusive” items on the cruises or finding a room where I am looking at something other than the roof of the adjacent building.
nickel and diming
I realize this is a business. But it is still their playground and their rules. It doesn’t matter what service I use there always seems to be small print. Small print that adds up to more unanticipated dollars.
VRBO (Vacation rentals by owner) lost their ability to manage costs when the management company decided to levy a host and service fee outside of the fees that the actual owners required. These can be upwards of 50% of the total cost.
All inclusive cruises have added in tiers of rooms, varying liquor packages that never seem to pan out and my favorite..specialty dining. A cruise has always been about the food. You paid one price, you got the meals, the fancy service and the opportunity to try new things. Now you seem to get mediocre offerings with a hefty surcharge.
Finally there is the air. Seat spacing has been steadily decreasing since the 1990’s according to an article from CBS news. https://www.cbsnews.com/news/airline-seat-size-faa-complaints/ This is mainly due to the diminishing pitch between seat backs along with some airlines that have narrowed the actual seat space from 18″ to 17″ allowing more patrons per flight and the more costly designated cabins/seats.
This has been reported as an attempt to offset the rising fuel costs beginning in 2008. (Not sure what the rationale was before that?)
the worst offender
My overall favorite nickel/dime is luggage. I am never more stressed than when I start packing my suitcase for a trip. The dimensions are exactly as required but the weight. What was the weight limit of 50 lbs. based on? To purchase a suitcase that is capable of surviving the pitch onto a conveyor, squished by 100’s of items on top of it you need substance. The suitcase itself is approximately 10-15 lbs. leaving little margin for the necessities like bottoms, tops and shoes. Oh and if you are the size of my Rennie (a giant of a man) then triple the weight for each of those items.
I asked about the weight choice once and was told that it was to protect the workers health that handled the bags. That sounds reasonable and thoughtful. But query? Does the extra $100 that is charged for excessive weight suddenly offset the danger? Or is it used for back repair?
Is the upcharge for heavy baggage going to change the weight and balance of the plane? This is an important feature. Weight distribution in flying is a real thing but I’ve never seen them seat people according to size. 
And don’t get me started on those people that tie 4 bags together and call it two to avoid paying the fees.
But lets think about that a moment. Their game, their rules.
what about those that don’t follow the rules?
The travel and tourism industry is a customer based service. It should be all about us, shouldn’t it? But don’t we have an obligation of some sort to do our part?
If you don’t like the game or the rules, it’s simple. Don’t play!
Whether we like it or not the rules were put in place by the policy makers. People that earn A LOT of money to study outcomes and reactions and anticipate the fallout before it happens. They are also the ones that take the overall hit when things like a pandemic strike and pilots and staff become almost non-existent.
don’t be that guy
We live in an increasingly intolerant world. Accountability has gone to the wayside. There is something we can do about it.
mind your manners
When did it become o.k. to shout at one another? In a public place and to someone who is just trying to do the job asked of them?
These days we can instagram, post, Tweet and report a review on anything. Without repercussion, at least for you. But what about that person that is depending on that job? A lot of these resort areas have residents waiting in line for the chance to work. A thoughtless comment such as “he didn’t smile at me and doesn’t seem to like his job” can be the end for that poor fellow.
Yelling at the flight attendant because she didn’t get to you at your pace to serve another drink? I recently saw a review where a patron was scathing in its outrage when an all-inclusive resort dared to charge an additional fee. The reason? The parents had failed to mention that they were bringing their 3 and 9 y.o. along. Their excuse was that they didn’t eat much.
I’m not asking that we lower our expectations. But don’t be the one that goes to another country and is angry because they don’t speak your language. Their country, their rules.
Playing the travel game? Their rules and their equipment. If you don’t want to play the game, stay home. But above all whatever you do, be kind.
Sassaleeyours…