Ever wondered why gift cards- a soaring component of holiday sales is less associated with travel and more with the Best-Buys and Macys of shopping!

1) Agreed travel rates keep changing and a fixed-value gift card might not do much at a time of soaring demand and sold-out rooms. But why is travel so hard to gift?

• Preferences - People have myriad preferences in hotels, airlines, activities, packages and destinations. It's hard to keep track of someone's "traveler" profile.
• Hotels and airlines are rarely in a mood to reward customers outside of what they offer them during an actual stay or flight.
• These days, travelers have got into the "review and book" mode for the smallest of trips and hotel stays. They are fussier about where they stay and how they travel.

Perhaps, a holiday travel registry with traveler profiles and preferences could guide friends and family in making a decision about gifting travel. This could also apply to weddings and preferences for honeymoon destinations.

Vijay is Chief Operating Officer and part-founder of Apple Core Hotels- a chain of 5 midtown Manhattan hotels offering value and comfort in the heart of the city.Member of the board of Directors - Hotel Association of New York.  www.vijaydandapani.com