Hotels like the Shangri-La, the Hyatt and the Conrad in Hong Kong have seen occupancy dropping from the high 80s, even 90s, to the 60s. The next three, four months, even six months, is going to be soft. But it's traditionally a soft period anyway after the Chinese New Year. My observation is that it will turn much better for the travel trade from the third quarter of this year. It's not a meltdown, a disaster, as you suggest.
Most bargains are for economy travel.
But you may be able to save 50 percent or more on published fares in the front cabins, especially on carriers such as Malaysia Airlines, Thai Airways, Garuda Indonesia, Korean Airlines, Philippine Airlines and Singapore Airlines. Companies can get discounts of up to 25 percent on published fares depending on how many ''seat-miles'' they buy a year. The same applies to hotel groups. Schedules are liable to change without notice. And negotiate with individual properties rather than central reservations.