Looking Back with Travel Market Report, Part One: Trends

The past five years have been a tumultuous period for travel agents. But then, that’s pretty much business as usual in the volatile travel industry.

In honor of its 2009 launch, Travel Market Report is taking a look back at those five years and its role as the Voice of the Travel Professional. We’ve covered agents’ issues and concerns from commissions to technology, supplier relations to best practices, sales and marketing to the changing face of the agent community.

We’ve also checked in with ASTA, ACTA and our own advisory board members for their take on developments during the last five years along with their thoughts on the future for travel agents.

We’ll continue to highlight those comments this week. Among them:

“The biggest thing we’ve faced recently is the economic downturn of 2008 because it was so widespread. And, the constant media coverage succeeded in keeping it all front and center. While it adversely affected a great many people, the negative publicity and ‘paper losses’ drove those with adequate disposable incomes for travel to think twice.”—Andi McClure-Mysza, co-president, Montrose Travel

“The future is good for travel agents. Consumer are on to the fly-by-nights. They are really relying on referrals and stories of great travel planners. . . .Showing different trends and ways to market with best practices [are important for agents].”—Sandy Anderson, owner, Riverdale Travel Leaders

“I believe that travel agents are still relevant and necessary. If travel agents establish their expertise and display their qualifications they can make headway with the online sites and ‘do it yourselfers.’ Following world trends, looking at new technology and adapting to the changing needs of consumers has to be put as a priority for travel agents to thrive and avoid extinction.”—Jennifer Doncsecz, president, VIP Vacations

Here’s how Travel Market Report followed the trends:
 
2009
Medical Travel to Grow 9% Says Grail Research
Research showed that medical tourism—an under-reported trend—was on the rise.

2010
Up, Up, and Away: The Impact of Rising Air Costs
Air costs were up in 2010, following the first signs of a business travel recovery in the summer of 2009.

2011
Gens X and Y Turn to Travel Agents to Buy Cruises
CLIA research found that Gen X and Gen Y cruisers were booking cruises through travel agents in unexpectedly large numbers.

2012
Get Adventurous: Adventure Travel is Booming
Growing at an astoundingly high yearly rate, adventure travel was fast moving into the mainstream.

2013
Millennial Clients, Yes They are Different
The millennial generation of 18- to 30-year-olds grew up glued to their devices—no surprise that they’re devoted to technology when it comes to travel.

2014
Travel Trends 2014: Unplugged, Imperfect, Fast
Privacy, technology overload and a desire for “authentic’ travel experiences are seen as the key drivers behind clients’ travel choices.