This week, the travel stats were encouraging for agents. Between a recent survey by AAA highlighting the value of a trusted advisor to a report from Travel Leaders that showed bookings on the rise, signs are pointing to growth.
85 Percent of Adults Find Value in Travel Agent
According to a recent survey by AAA, 85 percent of Americans find travel agents provide cost-effective, trouble-free, personalized vacation planning.
“Travelers see great value in working with an agent,” said Bill Sutherland, vice president, AAA Travel Services. “They enjoy working with travel agents, who can save them time, money and the frustration of navigating the many complex travel offerings that are available today.”
Agents Report Solid Business Travel Growth
Nearly 86 of business travel agents polled by Travel Leaders Group in a recent survey said business travel bookings are better than or on par with this time last year. The survey says there was a 3.3 percent increase in those stating year-over-year bookings are higher.
The survey also reports a double-digit increase in the number of Travel Leaders Group business travel agents who said that 11 percent or more of their business travel airline bookings are in First or Business Class.
Airline Profits Rise in Second Quarter of 2014
With the help of fee income, U.S. scheduled passenger airlines reported a net profit of $3.6 billion in the second quarter of 2014, up from $507 million in the first quarter of 2014 and $2.2 billion in the second quarter of 2013, the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS) reports.
The 27 U.S. scheduled service airlines reported an after-tax net profit as a group for the fifth consecutive quarter, BTS reports.
GBTA Says Minor Mishaps Cost Travelers Thousands
A new study by the GBTA Foundation – the education and research arm of the Global Business Travel Association — found that air travel mishaps (delayed flights, canceled flights and missed connections) are "by far" the most common travel problem encountered by travelers.
Over the past year, on average, travelers experienced 3.3 of the 16 different mishaps in the blue columns above.
Top Destinations for Affordable Luxury Hotels
According to new data released from the Hotels.com Hotel Price Index, travelers paid the most for five-star hotels in Tokyo, Rio de Janeiro and Boston in the first half of 2014. The company has compiled information on top destinations where clients can find luxury stays for less.
Keep visiting www.travelagentcentral.com for the latest travel industry news, trends and statistics.