Fifteen Cheap Countries To See In The Recession
Falling prices and a stronger dollar have made these exotic locales affordable for Americans.The latest resident of the recession-era bargain bin: a private island in Fiji. Paul De Domenico, a former food industry executive who`d been asking $35 million for his 800-acre slice of paradise, is lowering his price by nearly 20%.
`The good old days are over,` says De Domenico, 74. `I`m at the age now where I`m trying to liquidate some assets.`
Fortunately for the rest of us, a trip to Fiji can be had without making such a pricey commitment, thanks to a sagging local currency. Though roundtrip airfare will set you back about $1,600, the greenback gained 40% on the Fiji dollar over the past year--which means that once you get there, everything is on sale at a deep discount.
Fiji is just one of many places that`s suddenly more affordable to American travelers.
Top on our list is Hungary, buoyed both by airfares in the $590 range and a currency that the dollar has gained 30% on over the past year. Sweden, our second-ranked country, offers nearly identical currency perks. The dollar has gained a full 50% on Poland`s zloty, meaning that $100 can now get you a $150 hotel room in Warsaw.
On top of the dollar`s increased value, Americans will find tremendous deals on rooms as hotels around the world try to entice reluctant visitors.
`Middle-range hotels have definitely been lowering rates,` says Michelle Finkelstein, vice president of sales at Our Personal Guest, a San Francisco-based travel agency. `A lot of high-end hotels haven`t lowered their rates because it`s hard to get them back up. So they`ve been throwing in free nights and other perks.`
Zack OMalley Greenburg
forbes - 11 June 2009