Hear what experts say about what a great time this is to benefit from the many travel bargains out there.

Like taking advantage of a beaten real estate market, if you have discretionary cash to spend on an exotic vacation, travel opportunities are everywhere. Vendors are hurting and want your business. If you have wanted to take that dream vacation now is the best time.

The travel industry has been hurting for a while and prices are being slashed to attract travelers. Places like Hawaii, Mexico and the Caribbean are offering heavily discounted travel packages and many new resorts have come on line. New resorts have sprung up in Jamaica, Dominican Republic, Cancun and the Mayan Riviera. Occupancy rates have been low with a large supply of hotel rooms.

If these resorts can cover their cost of having a guest stay in an otherwise empty room, the resort will profit from the money you spend at the bar, the restaurants, the spa and other activities. Last-minute travel deals are a win-win situation. The resort fills an empty room and makes money, and you the traveler get a great deal.

Peter B. Diaz, President and CEO of VoyageMonkey.com Online Travel says "Not only are we seeing deep discounted last-minute travel deals but longer term reservations booked well in advanced are seeing magnificent savings. The cruise industry is offering some of the best value vacation bargains we have seen in a long time. In recent years you have had many mega-cruise ships built. The law of supply and demand coupled with the recent economy has forced the cruise lines to compete heavily on price. It's very easy in today's market to cruise for under $100 per day per person."

Look at places like Maui Hawaii that rely heavily on tourism, occupancy rates have been low and their local economy has felt the pinch. Not only are the Maui resorts offering great deals, but the local businesses are competing for your dollars with benefits such as two for one drinks, early bird dinner specials and dining coupons. Starwood Resorts has regular specials on some of their Kaanapali Maui properties which include The Westin Maui Resort & Spa, The Sheraton Resort at Black Rock and the Westin Kaanapali Ocean Resort Villas. These are all four star resorts of the beach offering luxury accommodations and plenty of amenities.

Cabo San Lucas Mexico is also seeing some deep discounted travel specials. Suffering from bad press about Mexico drug gang crimes and the swine flu, Cabo is desperately trying to fill vacancies. Remember that Cabo is very isolated from mainland Mexico and what goes on there. Peak season luxury beach resort hotel rooms are easily available from between $100 to $200 per night. There are regular daily flights to Cabo from many major US cities. There have also been some heavily discounted travel deals to Cancun Mexico & the Mayan Riviera as well as many other Mexican resort destinations. Bad media press about Mexico is often good news for the fearless traveler.

You may not see a better time to take a luxury vacation and go someplace special. If you can afford it, make the commitment and take time off to travel like a king. You may not see an opportunity like this in a long time. It's time to search your favorite travel website or call your travel agent.