A Place for Professional Travel Planners

Slides:



Advertisements
Similar presentations
Chapter 10 Marketing to Travel Agents
Advertisements

Travel Agents. Travel Agents: Who are they? A travel agent is a professional who specializes in making travel arrangements on behalf of other people.
3.04-UNDERSTAND DESTINATION MARKETING STRATEGIES. Unit 3-Understand hospitality marketing.
Over The Horizon – Mauritius Founder/ Managing Director : PUSHPA RAO.
Unit 3-Understand Hospitality Marketing
Yatra is one of the leading online travel companies in India and committed to our mission of “creating happy travelers.” Since their inception in 2006,
Benefiting from Americans’ Generosity
Record Revenues Indicate Plenty of Disposable Income in the Economy
Excellent Early Forecast
In Search of Growth As the overall restaurant industry experienced a 3.8% revenue increase during 2015, total US pizza restaurant sales were essentially.
Focused on the Road Ahead, Despite Headwinds
Rubbish Revenues Rebound
Interior Design Services
2015: In Rarefied Air According to US Bureau of Transportation statistics, the 25 US scheduled service passenger airlines, which are the basis of the.
Hair Care Salons The Image Makers.
Clear Sailing Ahead According to Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA), the global cruise industry beat the association’s original 2015 projection.
Industry Strength Maintained Among Troubling Trend
Retailers Jumping for Joy
Travel Agents Are Still in the Game
Mechanics Dynamics According to First Research, the number of establishments in the retail auto repair industry (oil change shops excluded) hasn’t changed.
Surging Toward a Satisfactory Sales Season
Steady Profit Centers for Local Entrepreneurs
A Relatively Smooth Ride
A Good Base Coat For all of 2014, housing starts are expected to total 1.09 million, or a 17.2% increase over The forecast for 2015 is even better,
A New Day for Used Cars New light-vehicle sales may receive most of the headlines, but the used-car market enjoyed an equally great 2015 with a 5.6%
The Sounds of Success According to the Hearing Industries Association (HIA), hearing aid sales have increased significantly during the last three quarters:
Hardware Stores Hold Their Own
A Small-Business Success Story
Used Merchandise Stores Go Mainstream
Thunder Road Turnaround
Integrating Indoor and Outdoor Living
Bed-and-Breakfasts Benefit from an Improving Travel Industry
Shipments and Sales Surge
Caring for Your Body’s Largest Organ
Status Quo Sales According to US Census Bureau data, total US retail jewelry stores sales were $ billion during 2015, only a 0.007% increase from.
The Up-and-Down Economy
More Than Mere Indulgence
Party Poopers According to Seeking Alpha, the U.S. party supply industry has annual sales revenue of approximately $10 billion. Party City is the.
More Vehicles, More Miles = More Auto Parts
Will an Improving Retail Sector Extend into 2018?
Happier Americans Are Bigger Consumers
The Art of Understanding Men
2017: The Last, Best Year? Total 2017 US light vehicle sales were a very respectable million units, 1.7% fewer than 2016’s record year, but exceeding.
A Red-Hot Market Cools During 2017
2018 Will Be a Record Year “Twice”
A Record Number of Passengers Generated Fewer Profits
An Industry Renewed After robust annual private-sector growth during of 8–11%, the first three quarters of 2017 declined to 2–4% annually.
Modest Industry-Wide Revenues Increase
Insignificant Revenue Increase
What Americans Like To Do With Their Time Off
Auto Repair Market Profiler 2018
Another Healthcare Sector Experiencing Growth
Industry Revenues Improve, But Still Negative Numbers
A Robust Economy Is Good for Insurance Agents and Brokers
Providing a Safe, Healthy Haven for Children of Working Parents
More Americans Fishing
Back at the Front of the Pack
A Competitive Climate Companies that sell, lease, install, service and monitor security systems generated total 2015 estimated industry revenues of $75.0.
Helping Young Americans Chart a Path to Career Success
Limousine Services 2018 Profiler
Total Travel Spending Tops One Trillion Again
Facing Every Professional Challenge with Increasing Confidence
Interest in Travel on the Increase
Used Merchandise Stores Go Mainstream
On the Trail of the American Traveler
Retail Rebounds During Second Quarter
Accomplishing More with Less
Make Mother’s Day a Retail Sales Spike
Security Dealers/Integrators Are Cautiously Optimistic
Industry Insights According to The NPD Group, total 2018 sales for the automotive aftermarket, which includes parts, tires, batteries and many other.
Presentation transcript:

A Place for Professional Travel Planners Despite consumers’ increasing use of the Internet and new US Department of Transportation rulings that could inhibit travel agencies’ competitiveness, the industry recorded a modest 1.1% increase in total revenues for 2013: $17.7 compared to $17.5 billion for 2012. The industry was able to generate this slight increase with 550 fewer airline-accredited agencies, or 7,218 compared to 7,768 during 2012, and 135 fewer retail locations, or 13,127 compared to 13,262 during 2012. The industry arranged 2 million fewer travel trips, 144 million for 2012 and 142 million for 2013, but processed $5 billion more in annual travel sales, $142 billion and $147 billion, respectively.

Travel Happy From a low of 1.9 billion total domestic person trips (leisure and business) during 2009, the number for 2014 will be 2.09 billion and is forecast to increase to 2.19 billion by 2017, a 15.3% increase from 2009. US business travel is projected to increase 6.6% during 2014 to $290 billion. According to the American Society of Travel Agents (ASTA) 2014 survey of its corporate agency members, 52% said their revenues increased during the first half of 2014 compared to 56 percent for the first half of 2013. Total US travel expenditures are forecasted to increase 5.1% for 2015, 4.9% for 2016 and 5.4% for 2017, significant increases compared to 3.9% for 2013 and 4.3% for 2014.

Inside the Travel Agency The travel agency industry consists of three types of companies, many of which do business in more than one category: retail agencies for leisure and small-business travelers, corporate agencies and tour operators. Of all ASTA members, 70% employ full-time or part-time agents and/or independent contractors. The other 30% are one-person agencies or independent contractors.   Since 2012, the full-time agents that primarily telecommute (work from home) have increased from 27% to 33% for 2014. For part- time agents, the increase has been from 24% to 32%, respectively.

Sustaining Sales Success According to ASTA sales and revenue survey data, 47% of members said their revenues increased during the first half of 2014, compared to 46% for the first half of 2013. Independent agencies and corporate agencies exceeded the all-member percent, at 53% and 52%, respectively. For all ASTA members, the projected average profit margin from total revenues will be 9% for 2014 and a forecasted 10% for 2015, which would be a 67% increase compared to 2010’s average profit margin of 6%. ASTA-member travel agencies have experienced a 32% decline in their share of the domestic travel sector, a 48% increase in international travel, a 6% increase in leisure travel and a 20% decrease in corporate travel.

Adjusting to the 21st Century Traveler Agents are helping to guide consumers through all the information they find during online searches, to make wise choices about a vacation or trip itinerary and to reveal hidden charges of which consumers are unaware. Agents are specifically important to luxury travelers. Many are older than 50 years of age, and are more likely to plan itineraries that involve multiple transportation methods and travel to exotic locations. According to a 2014 AAA survey, 85% of Americans have a positive perspective of travel agents, especially as it relates to personalized services and reducing the stress and hassle of planning and booking.

Advertising Strategies Recommend that larger travel agencies advertise on TV prior to Christmas and New Year’s to help holiday travelers plan and book trips with less stress and hassle. Travel agencies can compete with online services by offering customized packages and by guaranteeing they'll be ready to help clients out of tough spots. Agents can solve problems like flight cancellations, overbooked hotels, or last-minute itinerary changes. Agents can also offer travelers' families peace of mind by knowing how to get in touch with them no matter where they are. Advertise these services on television to let consumers know what you have to offer.

Advertising Strategies Travel agencies will find TV an excellent medium to promote discounts or special offers to consumers who book 2015 trips early in the year. For maximum exposure, see if your local TV station would like to do an "Escape of the Week" piece on its morning news program. Once a week, you can feature a popular or unique travel destination and time-sensitive package deal. To appeal to consumers of all kinds, cover a range of activities and include destinations that are distant as well as local (2-3 hours by car).

Advertising Strategies Small agencies should develop their own websites- complete with trip ideas and online booking- and manage email lists to stay in touch with customers. Since travel agents rely on word of mouth, social media can work wonders. Be sure to have an account where you can post pictures of your latest travel adventures, special deals, and recommendations. Ask clients to post messages, photos, and testimonials to express their satisfaction. Advertise to diverse consumers in your area. Target an ethnic group with foreign-language brochures or bilingual staff. Reach out to other demographics, like college students or the elderly by giving a travel safety seminar at a college or retirement home. Connect with brides-to-be by offering honeymoon-planning seminars at local bridal shops.

Social Media Strategies To compete with online services, local travel agencies must use social media to provide relevant content that helps consumers perceive them to be the local experts on travel in general or specific market niches, such as cruises or exotic destinations. Travel agencies should ask all satisfied customers to record and upload photos and videos while they are traveling and write comments about how the agency exceeded their expectations. Retail travel agencies with experience serving the corporate/business sector should consider posting articles on LinkedIn explaining their experience and sharing business travel tips to reach executives and professionals.