The economical flattening of the world has seen the relinquishing of travel as the niche past-time of the aristocracy. Industrialization, globalization and the middle-class boom of the twenty-first century has changed the face of the tourism industry. With over nine hundred international tourists contributing to over a trillion dollars to the world economy, tourism is the sustaining force of a growing number of countries. It employs a vast number of people world-wide directly or indirectly. Hospitality services account for a major portion of the tourism industry, with hotels, inns and lodges mushrooming all over a popular tourist destination. With the burgeoning of the industry there are accommodations available to fit any budget- from the money guzzlers to the ones on a shoe-string budget.
Contrary to popular perception, money always does not guarantee the quality of travel. Travel is a holistic experience and all the money in the world does not buy one. The value of the experience with respect to the budget is what counts most. While the limousine crowd can loosen their purse strings and can pick a place of their choice, budget travelers have to cut back on luxury and spread their budget with a little more discretion.
However, competitive pricing and growing competition have led to the phenomenon of cheap hotels offering a multitude of amenities that were hitherto never heard-of. With most travelers more interested in the heritage of a destination, cheap hotels allow their budget to be spent in a wholesome bucket rather than on living expenses only. With families of average incomes looking to travel internationally there are budget hotels available to suit every palate. Cheap hotels are also a lifesaver for students traveling on a nominal budget for fun or educational purposes. Salesmen and other professionals traveling for business purposes face a lot less hassle and can easily find accommodation in budget hotels.
While fabulous window views, a fawning hospitality and almost decadent luxuries are not a part of the portfolio of cheap hotels, cheap hotels do offer all the basic amenities and often unexpected small delights of luxury. The growth of the tourism industry has led to the presence of budget hotels all over the world, often in prime locations such that the tourists do not suffer any inconvenience during their sojourn. With the Internet having made the world a much smaller place, quaint places for accommodation at reasonable rates at easy to locate and make reservations. However travelers should take care to choose the place such that their entire trip is not compromised by their accommodation.
A trip is made memorable through the sights and smells of the stay. Monetary issues should not deter imbibing the culture of a place. Therefore whether traveling for business or pleasure it is worthwhile to make the stay economical at cheap hotels while splurging a little more on the experience of the travel.
Photo via chuck.miser
