Collection Development "Budget Travel": The World on a Shoestring

Just over 50 years ago, Arthur Frommer demonstrated the affordability and accessibility of European travel for everyone with the publication of his groundbreaking Europe on $5 a Day (current editions, reviewed below, reflect inflation). Today, the market is saturated with a plethora of travel resources (print, web, and video) that cater to those of us who don't want to break the bank in order to satisfy our wanderlust.

It's clear that budget travelers are no longer just backpacking students armed with Eurorail passes. Despite a weak U.S. dollar and a slowing economy, Americans still have to take their two weeks of vacation, but increasingly many cost-conscious families and individuals want more bang for their bucks, exchanging expensive trips for more authentic and affordable travel experiences.

To save money, many Americans are planning trips to less-expensive domestic and international destinations where their money will stretch further. An October 12, 2007, USA Today report (“As Dollar Falters, Travelers Hunt for Bargains”) identified current budget travel hot spots as Mexico, South and Central America, Thailand and other Southeast Asian countries, and Eastern Europe.

Bear in mind that however the U.S. dollar fluctuates, many tourists still will set their sights on pricey Western Europe but will want information on how to arrange an affordable vacation there. Likewise, those heading to the Beijing Olympics this summer will seek advice on the most economical ways to enjoy their Chinese holiday. But don't forget that a significant number of patrons will opt out of international travel and choose to stay close to home with shorter trips to U.S. spots within their means.

Interestingly, as Arthur Frommer's blog pointed out last December, a growing subcategory of budget travel is medical and dental tourism. Even when airfare and hotel accommodations are factored into the total cost, it is still cheaper for uninsured or underinsured Americans to get their teeth fixed and their medical conditions treated abroad—consider Mexico or South Korea! Then there are those travelers personally interested in extended foreign stays or in cultural exchanges. Although the resources in these areas remain more limited, patrons will appreciate details on these growing trends.

While budget travel pioneer Frommer's, an imprint of Wiley's, now publishes guides that cater to deeper pockets, it continues to serve cost-conscious travelers. And the market has seen the arrival of new guidebook publishers offering inspiring variations on the budget travel theme.

As you consider which guidebook series to acquire, keep in mind that each has a different focus with different features; some are better for young backpackers (Let's Go or Lonely Planet's Shoestring Guides), whereas others are excellent for inexperienced tourists who need advice on traveling wisely (Rick Steves) or who want cultural and historical background (Moon) or who want to sample foreign nightlife (Rough Guides). And some series had their roots in backpacking but now cater to a wider variety of budgets and ages (e.g., Lonely Planet, Rough Guides).

Thus, depending on patron demand and interests, libraries should provide a varied collection of series titles, even though this may appear at first glance too duplicative. Each imprint has its own special qualities to recommend its consideration. You will find that Rough Guides is the one budget travel series that consistently offers color images and maps; most other budget series feature only black-and-white graphics. More sumptuous color series, such as DK's, are better for learning about cultural attractions than for budgetary advice.

Budget travel information is, of course, also available online and on DVD. The major imprints continually update their guides through their own web sites, podcasts, blogs, and forums. This is especially important when it comes to cost details. In addition, the online world enables a greater number of experienced travelers to share tips on quirky niche sites and in online travel communities, though viewers should bear in mind that not every source has the road-tested authority of a well-received series of published titles.

Time-sensitive travel guidebooks usually expire sooner than passports. Titles over three years old are serious candidates for weeding. Remember that most imprints regularly update their offerings, add new destination titles, and keep their web sites au courant.

The following bibliography addresses budget travel basics, highlights the major guidebook series, covers niche travel, and recommends some of the best web travel sites. Starred [*] titles listed below are recommended for all public libraries.