03 July 2008

Tour cost savings 30% or more

The US Tour Operators Association says planning vacations on your own can save 30% or even more.

ââ¬ÅâœAccording to an informal member survey, travelers can save an average 20- 30% during high season by buying a vacation package or tour, over making the same arrangements on their own,ââ¬~ the association says.

The survey found that travelers can save an average 30% on land/sea vacations, and 20% on air-inclusive packages versus planning the same trip on their own.

ââ¬ÅâœDepending on the destination, travel in low season nets an additional 20% savings, with savings sometimes up to 40% for areas like Mexico and the Caribbean,ââ¬~ says the tour association.  

Depending on destination and complexity of the trip, overall savings on land packages and tours can range anywhere from 5% to 50% and from 10% - 35% on air-inclusive trips.  Savings are based on a typical one week package during high season at rack rates.

Savings have remained constant over the last three years

ââ¬ÅâœIn 2005 we reported an average 30% savings across the board.  While savings on land and cruise packages and tours have remained constant, given the increase in fuel prices and air fares, savings on air-inclusive tours and packages today are slightly less, averaging 20%,ââ¬~ said Bob Whitley, USTOA president. He added:

ââ¬ÅâœThe previous survey, conducted in 1998, revealed a savings of 15% - 20% by buying a package or tour, so tour operators have been able to hold the line.ââ¬~

The survey also revealed that for travelers with limited time, booking a one-week air-inclusive, escorted tour saves an average 9 hours of planning time and an average of 16 transactions.  

Report by David Wilkening

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• How do you save 30%?
  
  

  I think the first line of this story is a bit confusing - it seems to be saying that travellers can save 30% by travelling independently, rather than with a tour operator... but the rest of the story says the opposite...

  By Catrionna Grant, Tuesday, July 8, 2008
• Oops .. wrong leader
  
  

  The US Tour Operators Association says planning vacations on your own can save 30% or even more. I think USTOA was trying to say exactly the opposite ..(at least that is what the rest of the article says ...)

  By Ariane Janer, Tuesday, July 8, 2008