I told you that 2009 was going to be the “year of the deal” and, for the moment anyway – I’m looking pretty smart. Here’s the proof:

Besides special airfare sales, I noted that resorts would do whatever they could to lure tourists back, and they are. The Los Cabos, Mexico Visitors & Convention Bureau is offering what they call “free airfare” if you stay at a participating resort – it’s part of the Bureau’s “Fly Me to the Sun” promotion and the details are here (it’s not exactly free airfare – it’s a $400 credit you receive upon check-out, which can be equivalent to the price of an airline ticket).

And USA Today reports that Caribbean resorts are also playing this game: “The luxury CuisinArt resort in Anguilla, for instance, is offering a $500 resort credit to those who book a five-night stay through March 13.”

Several other resorts are advertising similar deals – if you don’t see a deal, ask. And be sure to check with the various tourist boards – for example, the Nassau/Paradise Island Promotion Board has its own special perk — $200 rebates — for people who book both air and hotels there.