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| Photo by Freeimages.com/danas ffff |
A new study by Travel Leaders Group has the lowdown on where clients are headed this fall and through the end of 2015.
According to a nationwide survey of travel agents, New York City ranks as the top domestic destination for travel during the remainder of 2015 – a spot typically held by Orlando or Las Vegas. Internationally, Americans are headed on Caribbean cruises, first and foremost, while the rest of the top five is rounded out by: Cancun, Mexico; London, England; European river cruises; and Rome, Italy. Travel Leaders Group travel agents also provided insights into Greece travel, top types of trips and destinations for Millennials – with Honeymoon travel leading the list, and more than 87 percent of respondents indicated year-to-date comparable bookings are better than or the same as last year.
This survey was conducted by Travel Leaders Group from August 3 - August 25, 2015, and includes responses from 1,152 U.S.-based travel agency owners, managers, and frontline travel agents from the flagship Travel Leaders brand, along with those affiliated with Travel Leaders Group’s Cruise Specialists, Nexion, Protravel International, Results! Travel, Travel Leaders Corporate, Tzell Travel Group and Vacation.com units.
Travel Leaders Group travel agents from across the U.S. were asked to name up to five top domestic and international destinations they’re booking for the remainder of the year. The following information and trends are based on actual booking data.
Study Highlights
Over 87 Percent Indicate Overall 2015 Travel Bookings are Better or the Same as 2014: When asked to compare overall 2015 travel bookings so far to 2014 at this time last year, a majority (62.8%) indicated that their bookings are higher and 24.4 percent indicated that they are the same as compared to a year ago.
Cruise Bookings versus Last Year: When specifically asking those who counsel clients on cruise vacations about bookings compared to last year, 89 percent stated their comparable cruise bookings are either higher than or equal to this time last year (48.2 percent said cruise bookings are higher, while 35.5 percent said cruise bookings are on par with this time last year).
European River Cruises: European river cruising moved up a spot on Travel Leaders Group’s Top International Destination list for this fall. When comparing overall 2015 river cruise bookings, more than 85 percent stated their bookings are higher than or equal to this time last year (49.9 percent said European river cruise bookings are higher, and 35.5 percent said European river cruise bookings are on par with this time last year).
Millennial Travelers: As Millennials begin to travel more, Travel Leaders Group travel agents were asked whether they have seen an increase in clients who are 30 years old or younger. More than four out of every 10 respondents (41.3%) indicated that bookings for clients in that age range have increased, while 50.2 percent stated bookings have remained the same over the past year.
The top types of trips and destinations that Travel Leaders Group travel agents are booking for clients 30 years and under are:
Greece Travel: Because of the recent financial turmoil in Greece, we asked Travel Leaders Group agents to compare their current Greece bookings to this same time one year ago. More than 44 percent indicated that bookings are on par with last year, while 39.2 percent indicated their Greece bookings are down.
Optimism in the Travel Industry: When asked for their personal outlook on their business for the remainder of 2015, an overwhelming majority (97%) indicated they are either positive or neutral.
