WDBJ7 Roanoke News and Weather NRV Lynchburg Danville | Slumping economy won't affect Americans' travel plans
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Travel agents shouldn't take a longer lunch break just yet. The national forecast is sunny for the travel industry despite the slumping economy. Travel spending is expected to increase a little more than 5% compared to last year.
But do local travel businesses say the economy is affecting travel? Three Of the ones News7 spoke with say yes; one agent seeing as much as a 50% drop since last year at this time. However two businesses say no, that business is still strong.
Martin Travel says while people might be changing their travel habits, they're still zipping up the suitcases.
"The value of the dollar has affected the euro," says Martin Travel President Mel Ludovici. "People are taking more domestic vacations, Dominican Republic where the dollar goes a long way."
By the way, AAA Mid-Atlantic has bought Martin Travel. Ludovici says nothing will change. He will remain the president and everyone will keep their jobs.
