Positive agent news

Bookings: up. Revenues: up. Overall, a new online survey was viewed as a positive trend for travel agents. The survey by the American Society of Travel Agents (ASTA) looked at the first two months of 2004. Said Richard M. Copland, ASTA president and CEO: “We are extremely pleased to announce these survey results, which indicate that the travel industry is moving forward in an encouraging direction.” He added the survey also underlined that consumers still value the expertise and personal service by booking trips through travel agents. Four out of five agents among the 300 who completed the survey said the number of bookings in early 2004 were greater than the previous year. A much lower 7.5% said bookings were down. In the area of revenue, 77.7% of agents reported an increase this year over 2003. Only 10% said revenues were down. Cruise bookings were also positive, with 57.6% saying their Wave Season bookings are up. The survey found that Mexico and the Caribbean are the top two destinations for 2004 land-based packages. The study also indicated that honeymooners are heading to the Caribbean in larger numbers. Hawaii was second in popularity for land-based destinations. The survey was distributed to ASTA members, and Carlson Wagonlit and Uniglobe travel agents.