Carlson reports "promising news"

When Carlson checked up on the health of the travel business with its 287 agencies in the US, it found “promising news.” Eighty three percent of respondents, for example, said bookings for the year ahead were even or up over this time last year. Another 85% said they were “fairly optimistic” or “very optimistic” about business in 2004. Asked to forecast the five most popular US destinations for 2004 based on bookings to date, 85% of respondents named Las Vegas. Caribbean cruising was the most popular international destination, named by 77%. One emerging hot spot was Punta Cana in the Dominican Republic, which did not even make last year’s top ten list. “Punta Cana has swiftly become one of our network’s best sellers, and our travel experts receive excellent feedback from their customers who’ve experienced the island,“ said Roger F. Block, executive vp of Carlson Wagonlit Travel’s Associate Division. London was the sixth most popular international and top European destination. Carlson Wagonlit Travel Associates 2004 Travel Trends Survey was described as the agency’s most comprehensive survey to date. Responding owners, managers and front-line agents from the 287 agencies represent nearly a third of the company’s locations throughout the US.