The decline of the euro in 2010 has been a strong selling point for agents who are looking to send their clients to Europe. As David Costabile, associate director of product of international for Collette Vacations, recently told us, “The euro and pound have come down considerably to allow for more competitive pricing versus other global destinations... [and] bookings have come closer-in and clients are continuing to travel with companies they trust.”
Even in the aftermath of that unforunate volcano incident in Iceland, it's been an ideal time for Americans to travel to Europe.
Of course, this has not always been the scenario. Before the euro currency, before the advancement of transatlantic aviation and just after World War II, a lot needed to be done in order to make Europe enticing for American travelers. How do we know? We took a look at our archives from nearly 60 years ago. Back in the late 1940s, the European Travel Commission and the Tourism Committe of the Organization for European Economic Cooperation joined forces to produce a million-dollar (which was A LOT in those days) advertising campaign. Travel Agent covered this story back in 1949 (see the full article for yourself by clicking here).
As we celebrate our 80th anniversary, we're taking a look at what was happening in the industry in the past and asking agents to share their thoughts on what has changed in the industry up until the present. So please share your thoughts by posting a comment below, writing us at our Facebook page, sending a tweet to our Twitter page or by engaging in a discussion in real time at AgentNation (the only social community online for all kinds of travel agents, which certainly wasn't around 80 years ago). We want to hear from you.
And while you're here, learn more about how we're celebrating eight decades of covering the travel industry for travel professionals.