More than 700 members of the American Society of Travel Advisors (ASTA) participated in a spring survey that suggests that more consumers are turning to travel advisors to book their trips.
Most advisors said that business is booming, with 81% of advisors reporting increased year-over-year sales. Twenty-seven percent of advisors said that more than half of their clients are working with an advisor for the first time.
Inflation and the rising cost of travel are not what keeps advisors up at night: Instead, the majority (86.8%) of travel advisors fear flight delays and cancellations.
And two-thirds of advisors said that their clients are more likely to travel overseas versus last year, with nearly half (43%) opting for a “bucket-list” trip.
The survey also looked at consumer willingness to pay professional fees in exchange for the service of an advisor. More than half of the advisors surveyed said that their clients are willing to pay a fee. (The majority of fees range from $100-$300.)
The most popular destinations booked by travel advisors include Europe, the Caribbean and Alaska, with Alaska surpassing Mexico and Hawaii. The top European countries include Italy, France and the United Kingdom. The five most popular Caribbean islands include the Dominican Republic, the Bahamas, Jamaica, Turks and Caicos and Puerto Rico.
The survey also indicates that ocean cruise sales are trending up, with 70% of ocean cruise-selling advisors (90% of respondents) reporting bookings well into 2024. River cruising trails behind, as less than half of advisors (46.7%) have bookings for 2024.
“These numbers are positive and bear out what we hear from our members almost every single day,” said Zane Kerby, president and CEO of ASTA. “Business is booming, and travel advisors continue to be a vital part of the travel industry. Advisors continue to bring their clients elevated experiences, peace of mind and unmatched customer service. Those will never go out of style.”