(ARA) - The 2005 Atlantic hurricane season featured 28 named storms, breaking the previous record of 21 storms set in 1933. Now, one year after the most active hurricane season in history, including the devastation of Hurricane Katrina, destinations from Louisiana to Florida have rebuilt infrastructure and set out to lure tourists back with special offers.
"Popular destinations have put endless hours into restoring their cities back to where they were before the 2005 hurricane season," said Marita Hudson, from the CheapTickets' Cheap Squad. "Travelers who believe that lightning won't strike twice in the same place can enjoy a vacation at significant savings and provide a valuable boost to local economies."
Will travelers venture back to hurricane prone destinations as the 2006 storm season arrives? One thing is sure - those who do can find excellent value, and a measure of security, with a little advance planning.
The following are tips to coordinate a fun, budget-friendly and safe vacation:
1. Use a travel Web site to find the best off-season value.
Several destinations impacted by storms in 2005 are offering great rates to lure back vacationers during the off-season. For example, on CheapTickets.com, the average savings on a flight and hotel package during August and September, which is a non-peak booking period, is 25 percent in the Florida Keys and 22 percent in New Orleans (versus peak booking period).
If you're still nervous about travel to storm prone regions, but determined to find great value, consider off-season destinations in non-hurricane impacted regions of the world, both domestic and international. CheapTickets.com offers special deals through September to locations as diverse as Richmond/Williamsburg Va., or to Argentina and Brazil.
2. Purchase travel insurance.
For extra peace of mind, consider purchasing travel insurance in advance. Most leading online travel websites have partnerships with insurance providers that offer low-cost plans that can cover trip cancellation, interruption due to weather and other factors. Travel insurance plans vary so be sure to read the small print and make sure hurricane coverage is provided. Also, check with your credit card company or homeowner's policy to learn whether you already have travel coverage.
3. Ask about hotel preparedness.
Don't be bashful about asking hotels in advance whether they have made any changes since 2005 in terms of storm preparations. Ask in particular whether the hotel has an emergency generator system and hurricane evacuation procedures in place.
4. Research activities in advance.
Check on a destination's top tourist spots in advance to ensure they are up and running after last year's storms. In New Orleans, for example, the French Quarter was largely spared the effects of flooding. A useful strategy is to purchase tickets to various activities and events before leaving home. The "Activities Tab" at CheapTickets.com allows travelers to purchase tickets for tours and events at the same time they are booking air travel and hotel reservations. Regarding a trip to New Orleans, purchase tickets to the Audubon Zoo, with over 2,000 of the world's rarest animals, or reserve a Swamp & Bayou Tour across the Mississippi River.
