In past discussions, we’ve looked at how you can keep your travel plans and save money, to adjust to the economical environment that’s befallen us in 2008.  The economic crisis hit worldwide, and the entire world tuned in to find out who America’s forty-fourth President would be, to get an idea of what might be expected.  In history class, they used to teach that the President had little to do with the American economy, and the world economy, at least in respect to other issues.  This past October, the economy became the main concern in the Presidential election.

Tuesday, November 4, 2008, a record number of voters turned out in what was among the largest (proportionately speaking) elections of America’s history.  Barack Obama became the President-Elect, and now, Americans and people all around the world look to the future of the economy.

There’s been much comparative talk of the stock market crash of 1929 in comparison to this past October.  While percentage-wise, this October was not as severe, the markets did see the largest decline measured monetarily.  For some time, in order to recover from the Great Depression that stemmed from the crash of 1929, the government brought into implementation several policies to safe-guard the economy from suffering such a cyclical blow again.

So the question is what will become of our national and global economy?  Barack Obama promises that we can work together for change.  Change is certainly needed, as the economy, though not in the same bad shape as this past October, is still hurting.  Obviously, everyone will be working toward a stronger economy.  What pace of recovery can be expected and how will that recovery influence the travel industry?

Chances are that airfares won’t be affected very much, or at least anytime soon, as those costs are not only associated with the economy, but also fuel costs, and while we continue to work toward more efficient energy systems, and ideally, sustainable energy, that shift won’t occur overnight.

But as the economy moves in waves, that is, it experiences crests and troughs, perhaps Tuesday’s election was the catalyst to get us moving out of our current trough.  Determining the pace at which the economy will change is difficult immediately after an election, but the promise of a new President is the promise of the opportunity for change, and hopefully that change will lift our economy.

So how will that affect the travel industry?  In sheer numbers, not very much, because those who were traveling last year are still traveling this year; just not as far.  Improvement of the national and global economy though will likely increase global travel for recreation.  The travel industry, like the election itself, may become a catalyst for positive change.

Until the economy is repaired and healthy once more, travel needn’t halt or slow because of travel deals like getting a seventh day of free parking in many of the off-site parking lots featured on AirportParkingReservations.com.