From Donna L Montaldo,
Your Guide to Coupons / Bargains.
FREE Newsletter. Sign Up Now!

A big slump in business travel which is forcing hotel chains to offer deep discounts to keep their rooms occupied may provide the best deals in years for consumers planning family vacations.

Because of the downturn in the economy in general businesses are scheduling less trips these days and fewer employees are taking business trips. Business travel is at it lowest rate in 10 years, according to one report. This situation has caused many hotel chains to turn to the online discount travel agencies to try to fill their empty rooms.

The theory is a room rented at a discount rate, any rate, is better than an empty room -- and this spells deep discounts for consumers planning trips and who are willing to book their reservations online.

"You can find the same hotel room $100 cheaper on a Web site than by calling an 800 number" for a reservation center, Jeff Weinstein, editor-in-chief of Hotels Magazine, told Reuters.

"Online hotel sales have been soaring as discount sites attract millions of buyers with their special rates," said a recent industry analysis from consulting firm PhocusWright Inc.

"There are low price guarantees," Lorraine Sileo, a spokeswoman for PhocusWright, told Reuters. "Some will say 'go to Expedia (for a price quote) and we'll give you 10 percent less,' and they'll also offer other specials -- three nights for the price of two and so on."

"It's always good to shop around," she advises.