Though travel forecasts are a dime a dozen, and all sorts of lay-commentators have expressed every kind of opinion about the state of travel, some actual hard facts have now come to light. The Air Transport Association, representing all the airlines, has just announced that air ticket sales in February 2009 fell by 19% off the pace of similar sales in February 2008. Twelve percent fewer travelers boarded U.S. airlines in that month. And the drop-off was felt not simply in mainland travel but in travel trans-Atlantic, trans-Pacific, and to Latin America.

So travel is off. But nearly 90% of all Americans are continuing to travel. And when they do, they are seeking bargains and values beyond all else.

For that conclusion, we can thank the British arm of the Kayak airfare search engine, which last week published a survey of what British travelers are looking for. (Earlier surveys have shown that the attitudes and expectations of these Brits are virtually identical to those of Americans).

Here's what Kayak found:

• Ninety-two (92%) of the audience surveyed will go online to find the best prices for airfares, rooms and car rentals, believing that websites provide the best deals.
• Vacationing at low cost will be a bigger concern for them (32%) than having fun (24%) or protecting the environment (1.5%).
• Sixty-six (66%) will henceforth vacation in the off-season to take advantage of lower prices.
• Forty-six (46%) will stay with friends and relatives.
• Forty-two (42%) will "trade down" the number of stars they will require on the hotels they choose.

Note, in particular, the emphasis on the internet as a means of discovering bargain vacations. That, and a continued reliance on guidebooks for hotel, restaurant and sightseeing descriptions and appraisals, confirms the public attitudes that we've found among American vacationers.

Though some have criticized this blog for its alleged over-emphasis on special deals and discounts, we're going to continue to make those discoveries a hallmark of our content.