Report: travel agents remain in demand
The internet has been a significant area of growth and vastly changed the travel distribution system in the past decade but the traditional agency segment remains significant and compelling, according to a new study.
PhoCusWright says agencies are deserving of careful study and consideration.
According to their report, US travel agents sold $110 billion in 2006, representing 41% of the total $266 billion travel market.
The report says agents sold $107 billion, or 38% of the market in 2007, and projects that agency sales will be one-third of the total market by 2009.
PhoCusWright says the number of travel agency locations and travel agents is large, fragmented and highly varied. It says there are approximately 24,000 travel agency locations in the US and a total travel agent population of 111,000.
According to PhoCusWright, the typical leisure agency today is focusing on more complex travel such as cruises, vacation packages and independent itineraries, where commissions are still relatively high and more experience and expertise is needed.
But it also says that changes in the travel market have created opportunities for new travel agency models such as home-based agents, cruise-only agents and agents focused on adventure, family, or honeymoons and weddings.
Report by David Wilkening
David
Vegas’s Billion-Dollar Secrets – What They Don’t Want Tourists to Know
Visit Florida’s New CEO Bryan Griffin Shares His Vision for State Tourism with Graham
Chicago’s Tourism Renaissance: Graham Interviews Kristin Reynolds of Choose Chicago
Graham Talks with Cassandra McCauley of MMGY NextFactor About the Latest Industry Research
Destination International’s Andreas Weissenborn: Research, Advocacy, and Destination Impact
Graham and Don Welsh Discuss the Success of Destinations International’s Annual Conference
Graham and CEO Andre Kiwitz on Ventura Travel’s UK Move and Recruitment for the Role
Brett Laiken and Graham Discuss Florida’s Tourism Momentum and Global Appeal
Graham and Elliot Ferguson on Positioning DC as a Cultural and Inclusive Global Destination
Graham Talks to Fraser Last About His England-to-Ireland Trek for Mental Health Awareness
Kathy Nelson Tells Graham About the Honour of Hosting the World Cup and Kansas City’s Future
Graham McKenzie on Sir Richie Richardson’s Dual Passion for Golf and His Homeland, Antigua
ADS PRO 
Phocuswright reveals the world's largest travel markets in volume in 2025
Higher departure tax and visa cost, e-arrival card: Japan unleashes the fiscal weapon against tourists
Cyclone in Sri Lanka had limited effect on tourism in contrary to media reports
Singapore to forbid entry to undesirable travelers with new no-boarding directive
Euromonitor International unveils world’s top 100 city destinations for 2025