Prices up, sentiment down

The Travel Industry Association of America’s quarterly Traveler Sentiment Index shows a steady decline in the fourth quarter, but that’s no surprise, says TIA. The index marks the lowest point of the year, but consumers are more negative about travel because prices have increased more than 4% since last January, TIA says. “However, consumer interest in traveling for leisure remains stable, andthey’re more positive this quarter about having enough free time to travel,” TIA said. Consumer perceptions about the affordability of travel showed the greatest decline, falling 9.2% from the same time the previous year. TIA, which represents all components of the US travel industry, began to measure consumer perceptions about travel safety starting with the fourth quarter of 2001 following 9-11.