A June travel agent survey by Bank of America indicates a pickup in pricing
as booking windows lengthen and Alaska and Caribbean pricing improves. Bank of America analyst
Michael Savner writes that the June booking window improved by three days,
primarily due to pricing increases. "Prices are changing rapidly on far
out bookings," said one agent that was polled. "In one instance,
group prices have gone up 50 percent six months out." Surprisingly, new
passport rules have hurt 2008 bookings. "I am finding more people are
hesitant for booking with my 2008 groups," said one travel agent." They
are scared that passports are going to be required for sea travel next summer."
Another agent said that the passport rules are confusing some clients. In terms
of destinations, one agent said Alaska is out
this year, and Europe is starting to fizzle as
the value of the dollar is making people wait until next year. The Caribbean,
however, is making a comeback, said the agent, especially on cruises embarking
from Bayonne, New York
and Baltimore. New
deployments are helping too, said another agent. "Customers like something
new."
