Two news items of note were in my inbox this morning:

1) Average costs for business travelers—which often eventually trickle down to leisure travelers—are expected to rise up to 13 percent next year due to the current economic situation, according to the 2009 Industry Forecast from Dallas–based Advito, a unit of BCD Travel.

2) Even the rich are feeling the economic hit and scaling back their spending on luxury good and services, according to the latest update of the Annual Survey of Affluence and Wealth in America, from American Express Publishing and Harrison Group. The survey was initially conducted last December, but is updated quarterly.

The silver lining in the latter report? Travel so far has been immune to this downturn. While the wealthy are spending less on jewelry, fashion and accessory purchases, spending on luxury travel is up. (Although that may change with the next revision of the report: Current responses were taken the week before the Wall Street meltdown began.)

Other luxury segments seeing an increase are cars, home decor and children’s clothing. The possible reasoning behind the increases? These items benefit the entire family.

My question to you, especially those readers with children: How important is travel in your life? With the anticipated increase in airfares and other fees, will you scale back your 2009 vacation plans, or look to make cuts elsewhere?