A majority of independent travel agents say business increased last year over 2009, according to ASTA’s 2010 NACTA Independent Agents Report.
“Travel agents are continuing to evolve and transform their business models to stay successful, and independent agents are just one piece of the puzzle,” said ASTA President and Chair Chris Russo.
Fifty seven percent reported more business last year than the year before.
The study found that most home-based agents:
• Have between 10 years and 19 years of travel experience.
• They are heavily cruise-dependent, although most sell a full spectrum of travel products.
• The majority sell under US$250,000, although an elite three percent sell more than $1,000,000 in travel products.
• Seventy-five percent of respondents have a cruise niche and earn an average commission of 14 percent on those sales
• While most averaged 33 hours a week selling travel in 2010, only one-third say travel is their only source of personal income.
• Thirty-three percent of respondents have employees and/or independent contractors.
• Sixty-seven percent of independent agents do not use a Global Distribution Service (GDS).
• Among suppliers, Royal Caribbean was the top cruise supplier, Globus the top escorted tour supplier, Marriot was the top hotel supplier and Sandals was the top resort supplier.
• The Caribbean and Mexico were top destinations.
By David Wilkening
