2. 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.

3. 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) 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.

4. 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 For part- time agents, the increase has been from 24% to 32%, respectively.

5. 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 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.

6. 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.

7. 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.

8. 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).

9. Advertising Strategies
Small agencies should develop their own websites- complete with trip ideas and online booking- and manage 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.

10. 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.