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Comment by EnLinea Media on December 2, 2009 at 9:12pm

ASTA study examines trends in travel agency business

December 1, 2009
(Forimmediaterelease.net) Whereas some travel agencies were able to weather the past year unscathed, the majority of agencies showed large drops in revenue and transactions, according to the recently-released ASTA Travel Agency Business Trends survey. The survey also shows that while most leisure agencies are expecting to recover in early 2010, corporate agencies are not expecting a recovery until the spring of 2010 or later.

“Every agency executive, like me, who wants to benchmark revenue and transactions against other agencies or who wants to know the changes other agencies are considering to succeed, should read this report. It is a great tool for anyone planning for the future," said Chris Russo, ASTA president and chair.

Among the survey's findings were:

• When comparing the first half of 2009 to the same time period in 2008, 78.2 percent of agencies saw a decrease in revenue, while 75.2 percent saw a decrease in transactions.

• 63.6 percent of agencies saw a decrease in the number of clients when comparing the first half of 2009 to the first half of 2008. Not surprisingly, corporate agency respondents have seen greater decreases in revenue.

• 76 percent of respondents cut “operating costs" and 54 percent “took less pay" in response to the economy.

• More than half of all responding agencies are planning no changes in regards to employees. A larger percentage of corporate agencies are considering changes in regards to employees.

ASTA conducted the study to assist leisure and corporate agencies in planning for the future, as well as benchmarking their first half 2009 sales performance. The report looks at changes agencies made to weather the past year, as well as changes planned for the future. Agencies were asked specifically about changes in employment and independent contractor usage to gauge how employment has been affected by the slowdown.

The ASTA Research Family is comprised of a representative sample of ASTA member travel agency owners and managers. The report indicates a 95 percent confidence with an error rate +/- 4.8 percent.

Premium members receive ASTA's Travel Agency Benchmarking reports as part of their membership. ASTA Travel Agent members may purchase the entire report for US$99; ASTA Allied members pay US$199. Non-members pay US$299. For additional information, please contact mteates@asta.org or visit the research page on www.ASTA.org .

ABOUT ASTA

ASTA's (American Society of Travel Agents) mission is to facilitate the business of selling travel through effective representation, shared knowledge, and the enhancement of professionalism. ASTA seeks a retail travel marketplace that is profitable, growing, and a rewarding place to work, invest, and do business.

ASTA Kristina Rundquist/Laura Gajewski Phone: 703.739.8710 Email: PR@asta.org Web: www.asta.org

Comment by Akash Poddar on December 1, 2009 at 2:01pm

Hi, my name is Akash and I manage a travel agency in India. While I will seek help on many destinations as i need help, please feel free to ask questions about India if you need any clarifications.

Akash

Comment by One Nation Travel Turkey on November 30, 2009 at 1:33pm

Istanbul Tours, Cappadocia Tours, Ephesus Tours, istanbul travel, turkey tourism http://www.allistanbultours.com

Comment by charmaine on November 30, 2009 at 12:13pm

How many of you have sold packages for the Football World Cup 2010 in South Africa?

Comment by Ms. Corky Champagne on November 16, 2009 at 3:59pm

It is very hard to be a good agent for your client in an area you don't know well. Let US be your experts. Having lived here 35 years myself, let me help you sell Alaska to your client! It's not just about cruising the Inside Passage - we have land here too! Please visit www.alaskaadventureunlimited.com We specialize in small group discovery tours in Alaska.

Comment by Juan Carlos Mate on November 3, 2009 at 1:33pm

We are launching a new online discount program for inbound travelers to North America. Sold to European TA and TO. Thousands of discounts in all major cities in dining, events, attractions, even movie tickets!. Great added value. Retention tool.
visit us at www.eovgroup.com

Comment by Cheryl Sebastian on October 24, 2009 at 9:15am

Purple Pineapple offers a wide selection of Luxury Villas and other accommodations throughout the Caribbean. We live on Tortola in the BVI and have specialized in arranging fabulous vacation stays for over 15 years; and now we look forward to offering you the same great experience that our clients have come to enjoy over the years.
BVI's are beautiful, laid back, non-commercial islands remincent of the way the Caribbean used to be. Easily accessable via PR or St. Thomas.

The picture was taken from an upstairs patio on the beach at Little Apple Bay with Jost Van Dyke across the way.

Comment by Judith Isaacson on October 22, 2009 at 5:04pm

At Drive-Israel.com we plan custom road trips in Israel to explore the country. Trips are usually self-drive, with rural, luxury and kibbutz lodgings integrated into the mapped route. Clients receive detailed itineraries, with maps, that match their interests.

Comment by EnLinea Media on October 21, 2009 at 11:52am

Attending World Travel Market in London Nov. 9-12? We are too! Why don't you indicate your attendance on our calendar so everybody knows who's going? Simply click "Your RSVP" in the middle column!

Hope to C U in London!

Comment by One Nation Travel Turkey on October 20, 2009 at 6:45am

We have been home for nearly 2 weeks now but I wanted to write to thank you once again for organising our 5 day trip around Turkey. We thoroughly enjoyed every part of it. Our hotel accommodation was excellent, our tour guides were all very informative and we had some lovely meals. Thank you too for providing us with free transport to the airport on the morning of our departure. We are already recommending One Nation Travel to everyone we speak to about our trip and are hopeful that we will be able to pass some business your way. Our best wishes to you and your colleagues at One Nation Travel, Kind regards Gary and Jennifer Zerna http://www.allistanbultours.com/

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