The Week in Stats: Travel Numbers Trending Positive

This week in travel stats, overall metrics were trending positive for the industry, from a jump in agent air sales for the first half of 2014 to the best visitor numbers in Alaska since before the Great Recession.

Agent Air Sales Up in First Half of 2014

U.S.-based travel agencies reported strong gains in air sales for the first half of 2014 versus the same period last year, according to new data from ARC. Air sales were up 5.14 percent year-over-year in the first half of 2014, totaling $48.5 billion versus $46.1 billion in 2013. Sales for June 2014 were up 7.4 percent at $7.6 billion compared to June 2013 at $7.1 billion.

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Alaska Sets Visitor Record

Alaska set an all-time visitor record of 1,966,700 for 2013-2014, beating the previous record set in 2007-2008. Additionally, 2013-2014 saw the most significant growth (+6 percent) in a single year since 2005-2006. 

Source: State of Alaska Department of Commerce, Community and Economic Development

Marriott Tops Hotel Buzz

According to YouGov BrandIndex's Buzz score, which asks respondents, "If you've heard anything about the brand in the last two weeks, through advertising, news or word of mouth, was it positive or negative?” Marriott came in first in hotel branding buzz for the first half of 2014. 

Source: BrandIndex

Carnival Tops Most Improved Brand Buzz

Carnival topped the list of brands with the most-improved positive consumer sentiment, according to YouGov BrandIndex's Buzz score.

Source: BrandIndex