Tour operators see better year in 2011
Last year was one of rebound and higher sales for 2011 are expected, according to three-quarters of US Tours Operators in a USTOA survey.
“International travel saw a rebound in 2010, with more than three-quarters of survey respondents saying that travel had increased by an average 40 percent year over year, largely fueled by growth in Europe destinations,” the poll found.
Less than 15 percent saw business down, and nearly 10 percent said business was unchanged.
Optimism over Europe sales is tempered by the fact that the Oberammergau Passion Play helped spike 2010 sales. This business will need to be replaced in 2011 by other products if Europe sales are to maintain their momentum, USTOA members said.
Domestic travel also was up, although less dramatically. More than half of responding USTOA members reported an average increase in travel by over 30 percent. Fully one-quarter of respondents saw domestic business unchanged compared to 2009, while nearly 20 percent said business was down.
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
Cyclone in Sri Lanka had limited effect on tourism in contrary to media reports
Higher departure tax and visa cost, e-arrival card: Japan unleashes the fiscal weapon against tourists
In Italy, the Meloni government congratulates itself for its tourism achievements
Singapore to forbid entry to undesirable travelers with new no-boarding directive