Local Prices on Domestic Holidays

For many of us, the subject of price is important when we are taking our annual holiday.

Whilst we may not object to paying a little extra for our luxury hotel, sometimes it can be a little bit of a shock to find higher prices in local resort holiday shops and restaurants etc.
So, what's going on and what can you do about it?

The first thing is that of course there is a simple question of economics here. People on holiday are perhaps a little more inclined to open up their wallets and purses for the sake of having a good time than they would be back home. That means they may be willing to pay slightly higher prices and therefore to some extent, local businesses might understandably wish to take advantage of that.

It's worth remembering also that some of our native resorts only have a few weeks peak income-earning potential each year, so it's a question of 'making hay while the sun shines' so to speak.

In other situations, geography can play a part too. Resorts that are relatively isolated and not close to any major conurbations may, understandably, incur higher distribution costs when having food and basic living supplies delivered.

So, the commercial infrastructure's cost base might be higher and those higher costs will need to be passed onto visitors.

However, you don't have to necessarily assume that you can do nothing at all about this.

If you are staying in luxury accommodation, the chances are that there will be a number of shops and eating establishments relatively close by. Those that are in prime tourist locations (typically cute harbour-sides, coastal promenades or trendy town-centres) are by definition likely to be a little more expensive than those on one of the side streets or the outskirts of the town.

So, to put it another way, if you don't like paying a few dollars extra for your meal or stuff in the shops then just stretch your legs a little and the chances are you'll be able to find something much more reasonably priced.

Another thing you can do, assuming it's possible for you, is to travel a little out of season.

At peak holiday times, the pressure on resorts can be high and prices will almost inevitably rise as a result. Assuming you can synchronise it with things like school holidays, travelling outside of those peak times can yield you some fantastic bargains both in terms of your luxury hotel and in local shopping and dining out etc.

At the risk of sounding like an apologist for the domestic travel industry, if you look at the statistics you'll see that business is tough and their profit margins are typically very small. They are hardly 'raking it in' and living a champagne lifestyle based on the few extra dollars here and there that they may be charging over and above the prices you see back home.

So, shop around and try and be flexible when you travel but above all just accept that slightly higher prices may be an inevitable consequence of taking that annual holiday.

FNQ Apartments has the most perfect location of all domestic holidays in Australia, offers a unique foreshore location with all the facilities and services you expect from your Port Douglas holiday accommodation.