Every now and again, it's good to read some positive news. According to a new survey, more than 60 percent of people are starting to plan vacations. And even though many Americans are planning to cut back their budgets, the need to get away is more precious than ever.

"Despite economic concerns, the chance to get away remains important for consumers around the globe--and they are finding ways to fit vacations into their budgets," says Mark Hardy, chief strategy officer, Americas for SSI, which conducted the study. "In fact, our research shows that more than three-quarters of our respondents plan to stay overnight at destinations for their vacations, rather than staying home."

In America, the average vacation away from home is about four days. The reason has little to do with time or need. Most people are looking for ways to save money. That may be good news even for places like Las Vegas, which has seen an uptick in family travel as more people learn to recognize it as a hub for ecotourism, adventure tourism, and proximity to national parks.

"Las Vegas is an amazing city that has stepped up the luxury end of entertainment," says James Hoke, president of TourGuy, LLC. "But now, people are looking to be a little less lavish. They value as many once-in-a-lifetime experiences as they can fit within a four-day window. The trick is to save where you can and book your trips earlier."

Five Quick Tips To Save On Trips.

• Adventure Tours. Always book ecotours and adventure tours well in advance. Some sites like TourGuy.com, which lists the lowest priced tours, are sometimes forced to turn people away on peak weeks because there are only so many vehicles available.

• Evening Shows. Splurge on one great show, and then look for incentives on all the rest if you want to take in more. It's not uncommon for resorts to offer incentives to some guests or gamblers to keep them on the property.

• Dining Out. Book reservations well in advance, as the restaurant allows, or, if the hotel has a concierge, ask them to place the reservations for you. Walk-ins are acceptable in Las Vegas, but save those for the times you want to save on a buffet.

• Bid Your Book. Almost every article on vacation savings suggests Priceline. The real goal in Las Vegas is to save as much as you can on the basics, saving that money for the more extraordinary experiences.

• Flying Passengers. The best time to book an airline reservation is between two weeks out and three months out of your travel times. Most airlines begin to lower prices to fill empty seats and then raise them a few weeks before departure. If you do fly in, ask for a bus route schedule to save on taxi fares and car rentals.

"The time is right to plan a Las Vegas vacation," said Hoke. "It might feel extravagant, but it's actually less expensive than many cities, especially now while tourism is a little down. Las Vegas even tied New York for first place as the coolest city in the United States."

Las Vegas scored especially high among adults between 18 and 34. Hoke says people in that age group are most likely to come for the clubs, parties, shopping, and more extreme adventure tours. Tours typically range from just over $70 per person to about $500 for combination adventures.

For more information and other activities around Las Vegas, visit TourGuy.com. Tours are categorized several different ways, but most people choose between ground tours and air tours.