Will more deals to come in 2010 get you traveling?

We see it everywhere. We’ve talked about it here. Travelers looking for a bargain have not been disappointed by 2009’s plethora of good travel deals.  Now, some experts are saying 2010 could be even better.

With forecasts that air travel and hotel sales could fall by another two percent, bargain hunters next year may see hotels offer additional free nights and other discounts as incentives to get travelers to come and stay for a little while longer. Deloitte and Touche analysts say travelers might also benefit from airline incentives like a monthly travel pass, which could help entice more leisure travelers to take to the skies.

The reason? Despite the many deals we have enjoyed this year, Americans are still planning shorter stays on future vacations. Those shorter stays could could force hotels to lower their nightly rates, so many may begin offering goodies to help fill their rooms.

So where should you look and how do you get the best deals next year? According to this site from the Today Show, you should be able to find deals just about anywhere you look in 2010, but some of the best deals will be found in unexpected places. Here are a few that I found interesting…

* Save by treating yourself. Business travelers flying business or first class are down, and those numbers could stay depressed through much of 2010. Empty seats in business and first class could translate into big deals – and more comfort — for you. Just be careful: a girl (or boy) could get accustomed to this kind of travel. We splurged on a trip to Seattle this summer and flew the family on business class. Our kids adjusted a little too quickly to the perks of business class, and are going to be in for a shock the next time they fly economy.

* Similar to those empty first-class compartments, company retreats to Vegas or conferences in Hawaii have fallen off during the recession. By going where the people aren’t, leisure travelers could find great deals at resorts that might have once been over their budget.

* To encourage advance bookings, many resorts may offer “off-season” rates even during the peak periods next year. The site also says to look for big sales on cruises early in the year.

* Book online to take advantage of deeper Internet discounts. Or better yet, use your social media skills and check out the special deals airlines like Lufthansa will offer to the Facebook and Twitter set.

With all of these possible deals floating around, the question is how many travelers will take advantage?

Which of these deals would be most appealing to you? Are you a fan of an airline travel pass that would allow you more flexibility as to when or where you fly? Would an additional free night lure you to extend your stay, or would you simply prefer a lower nightly rate and a shorter visit?

Are upscale resorts and business/first class seating off of the table for you while the recession is still on, even if you could get them at off-season or discounted rates?

How about Twitter and Facebook? Would you respond to airline discounts you get through social media sites? Do these inspire loyalty to the airline?