With prices at the pump and at the ticket counter getting out of hand, many travelers are resorting to the unthinkable, calling off their trips. That’s too bad, but it has happened from time to time when the economy enters a downturn. Most are content to stow their backpacks and Larium pills and wait for a better time to travel.

For those who say “to hell with in,” and hit the road anyway, here are a few penny pinching tips that might come in handy in scarce times.

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With the Olympics coming, China’s travel industry is about to get loads upon loads of promotion. NBC will undoubtedly feature Beijing-related pieces in between events. Bob Costas (or is it his writers?) will have some humorous monologues about the cultural differences between China and the U.S.

As long as anti-government protests don’t rage in the streets of Beijing, the games will be a boon for China’s tourism business.

That raises a question: will China’s newfound popularity make it into a giant over-visited Asian theme park? Will soccer moms toss around the words: “going to China this summer?” The same casual way that they now refer to Italy or The Bahamas or Hawaii. Most of all, will the games make China a more expensive place to visit?

Fear not!

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