What is your dream vacation? What is your inspiration? One of my favorite vacations ever was to Moorea in Tahiti, one of the most romantic and relaxing places in the world with an incredible island culture, world-class diving and snorkeling, and pristine natural beauty. Recently, I’ve been hearing a lot of people say that they feel like they can’t afford their dream vacation this year. With everyone’s busy lives and the uncertain economy, it’s understandable that planning a vacation may seem too daunting a task. However, you may be surprised to know that it’s an unprecedented time for finding travel deals. Dream destinations are more accessible now than ever before.

Here at Travel Ticker®, we recently conducted a Dream Vacations Survey to get a better idea of how people were feeling about travel. One message came through loud and clear: people have a deep desire to take a vacation, and they’re looking for an opportunity that is impossible to turn down. In fact, 86% of respondents were ready to travel the same amount or more in 2010. Of the folks traveling more, 51% thought they would book a trip mostly based on the right kind of deal.

For travel-seekers who want to take that dream vacation, here are my 10 tips on how to take advantage of this deal-friendly travel environment:

1. Let the deal be the inspiration. This is the best tip I can provide. The trick is to be flexible with your travel plans to get the most mileage from your dollar. You can get a similar experience in so many different ways. Fortunately, many destinations are fighting over business right now, and you never know who’s going to come out with the next doorbuster deal to catch your attention. Plus, being spontaneous about your travel destination can be half the fun of the vacation.

2. Get a head start on your paperwork and be prepared. First things first. Even if you don’t have a specific trip in mind, get your passport. Processing times (without extra rush fees) can take a month or more and a new travel deal can be here and gone in as quick as 24 hours. Some travel deals are too good to pass up and the key is to act fast.

3. Set a realistic monetary goal for your vacation before you start looking. You are more likely to take that dream vacation if you set aside your funds ahead of time. Alternatively, you could also set a clear target price range for your trip instead. Once that goal is set, you’ll feel more comfortable in locating and purchasing your vacation quickly.

4. Know your travel style, and stick to it. Would you rather lie on the beach all day or see as many sights as you can? It’s best to identify the type of vacation you want up front. There are many options available, so it can be hard to figure out what suits you best. Our survey results may help you understand what your style is.

Beach destinations are at the top of our respondents’ wish lists. I am seeing resorts bend over backwards to attract tourists to their beaches, so this year you can soak up the sun in any number of places. The Caribbean, Mexico, San Diego, and Hawaii all have outstanding savings and package deals.

Coming in second on our survey were big city vacations, which are also on sale all over the world. You can take a bite out of the Big Apple with some amazing New York City sales, or let loose in Las Vegas. This is also true across the pond. Europe is a dream destination for many Americans, and with multiple four-season cities like Paris and Madrid, you can have a great trip any time of year. Turkey, a dream destination of mine, is another location with savings and beautiful sites throughout the year.

Third on our list were outdoor adventures. Some people think this is for adrenaline junkies alone, but thrill seeking doesn’t always require a big physical commitment or giving up luxury. One of my favorite adventure vacations was an unforgettable trip into the jungles of Costa Rica, exploring the beautiful cloud rain forest canopies and experiencing the hospitality of its warm people, all while enjoying great accommodations.

5. A good time doesn’t require huge travel time. Now that you have the type of vacation and price range that you’re comfortable with, how much time can you dedicate to your trip this year? Don’t be discouraged if you can’t escape for long periods of time. Big experiences don’t always require big travel. You’ll be surprised by the amount of diversity within single-digit flight hours.

6. Understand seasonal travel trends. Masses of people attend Carnival in Brazil in February. Travelers flock to Pamplona, Spain, for the Running of the Bulls in July. College kids flood Cancun for Spring Break. These events drive prices up. On the flip side, Paris and other European cities are quiet during August because locals are on summer holiday, so it’s cheap and you’ll have easier access to activities than at busier times of the year.

7. Leaving on a Jet Plane – midweek. You can save hundreds of dollars just by shifting your flights by one day. You’ll find the best fares generally are reserved for midweek travel. Tuesdays and Wednesdays are particularly good, especially for international flights.

8. Exchange rates make a bigger difference than you think. The deal might look amazing at first, but think about how much you’ll be spending on food, entertainment, and shopping while you’re travelling. Now, imagine if your dollar only went half as far as it could have somewhere else. Take currency differences into consideration and you’ll really stretch your travel dollars… as much as two or threefold!

9. Utilize online resources to score the best deals. Let online travel tools do the hard work for you. During a down economy, travel providers look for channels to maximize their reach to consumers. Currently, they’re using outlets like geo-targeted deal newsletters and sites like Travel-Ticker.com, often providing exclusives and flash-sale opportunities.

Social media also offer a way to save. From promotional discounts and contest giveaways to the latest in travel deals, it is becoming easier to have other people bring the information to you via Twitter or Facebook. By simply following travel experts and providers, keeping an eye on popular hashtags (e.g. #TravelTuesday), conducting Twitter searches, consumers can let the deals do all the work. You can even follow me at @travel_ticker.

10. If you have a big window of free time, take advantage now. Maybe you have a little downtime during school or work? If so, take an extended trip. Circle-the-globe styled itineraries and continent-wide trips allow you to have a truly immersive experience. The best part is that they’re more affordable than you think. Point-to-point tickets that cover Asia and South America can be booked with air passes starting from $500. I was able to take an unforgettable, eight-month trip from Ecuador to Mexico during one of those rare windows of free time, and the trip was rich with memories… and savings!

We all need a vacation for exactly the reason why most people think we can’t take one: we lead stressful lives. A well-earned break rejuvenates, increasing our productivity at work and at home. On a personal level, reconnecting with loved ones is easy when you’re learning about new cultures, exploring new destinations, and enjoying life-changing experiences together. So, for the 27 percent of folks in our survey that are thinking about putting off a vacation in 2010, my response is that this is the year you CAN make those travel dreams come true. With a little preparation and some tips to point you in the right direction, you can find that dream travel experience that you may have never thought possible. So, where will 2010 take you?

About Barbara Messing
Barbara Messing applies her passion for travel to her role as vice president of Travel Ticker. She currently leads the team that brings the innovative Travel Ticker website and newsletter to life, and is dedicated to delivering handpicked, insider deals to motivated travelers.

As a leading executive in the travel industry, Barbara is a go-to source on travel industry trends and how consumers can find inspirational travel getaways on a dime. From speaking at conferences such as the Los Angeles Times Travel & Adventure Show, to being consulted for her expert insights by national broadcast shows and top tier journalists, Barbara brings the color of an industry insider to any news angle. She is also active on Twitter @Travel_Ticker and Condé Nast Traveler chose her as one of the top 21 Twitterers to follow in its October 2009 issue.

About the Survey
The Travel Ticker survey was conducted online from November 16 until December 2, 2009 among Travel Ticker users, with 4,985 completed responses. More information on the survey is available upon request.

Travel Ticker and Travel-Ticker.com are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Hotwire, Inc., in the U.S. and/or other countries. Other logos or product and company names mentioned herein may be the property of their respective owners. © 2010 Hotwire, Inc. All rights reserved. CTS# 2053390-40