Where Are The 2009 Travel Hot Spots?

Where will the travel hotspots be for recession-ridden Americans in 2009?

Would you believe St. George, Utah? Or Budapest? Here are some annual Top 10 lists.

Budget Travel has posted its top budget travel destinations for 2009:

• Austin, Texas -- A hot venue for indie rock, bluegrass and country music, Austin is home to the South by Southwest music festival and Austin City Limits.
• Washington, D.C. -- On top of the presidential inauguration, the Capitol's visitor center has undergone a major makeover. Better yet: Admission is free to all national monuments.
• Hawaii -- Barack Obama's home state is suffering from a tourist drought, so airlines, hotels and and tour operators are pricing deals aggressively.
• Budapest, Hungary -- The strong U.S dollar in Hungary makes this art, culture and historical gem super affordable. SRO tickets at the Hungarian State Opera House go for only $2, Budget Travel reports.
• Reykjavik, Iceland -- Iceland has been hammered by the global economic downturn, which is good news for travelers booking flights to the capital, Reykjavik, on Icelandair, and exchanging dollars for kronurs.
• Mexico -- South of the border has always been a popular destination for budget-minded Americans, and this year will be no different. The dollar's exchange rate against the peso is the strongest it's been years, Budget Travel reported.
• Berlin, Germany -- The wall fell 20 years ago and Berlin has been on a tear ever since as an architectural and cultural capital, while still remaining affordable.
• Vancouver, B.C. -- The U.S.-Canadian currency exchange rate has returned to 2005 levels and the city is primping as it prepares to host the Winter Olympics in February 2010.
• Cambodia -- Budget Travel reported that Cambodia drew about 2 million visitors in 2008, more than 10 times the number it drew a decade ago. But it's still off the radar for many Americans, and a bargain.
• Panama -- Panama appears poised to join Costa Rica as a mainstream destination for American travelers. Get there before the crowds and prices go up.

TripAdvisor conducted a survey of travelers to determine where they will be traveling in 2009. Here are the site's top 5 U.S. hot spots:

• St. George, Utah - A two-hour drive northeast of Las Vegas, St. George is a gateway to natural wonders including Zion National Park and Cedar Breaks National Monument.
• Englewood, Fla. - Englewood sits between Sarasota and Fort Meyers on the Gulf of Mexico, not far from the balmy beaches of Sanibel and Captiva islands.
• Keauhou, Hawaii - On the western coast of The Big Island of Hawaii, about 60 miles from Hilo, Keauhou is near the lava beds of Kona and Hawaii Volcanoes National Park.
• Mount Pocono, Pa. - In the heart of the wooded hills and valleys of the Pocono Mountains, Mount Pocono is an easy escape valve for folks from the New York City area.
• Haines, Alaska - At the head of the longest fjord in North America, Haines is the closest city to Glacier Bay National Park -- and more than 700 miles south of Anchorage.