TravelAge West
Intel and Insights for Today's Travel Advisor

Explore TravelAge West

Destinations

Back
  • Africa & Middle East
  • Asia & South Pacific
  • Caribbean
  • Central & South America
  • Europe
  • Hawaii
  • Mexico
  • USA & Canada

Travel Types

Back
  • Family
  • Adventure
  • Cruise
  • River Cruise
  • Tour Operators
  • Luxury
  • Hotels
  • Culinary
  • Romance
  • Wellness
  • Sustainability

Directories

Back
  • Hotels
  • Cruise

Interactive

Back
  • Click & Win
  • Geo Quiz
  • Slideshows & Video
  • Wave Winner Videos

Professional Development

Back

Industry Insight

  • Business Features
  • Interviews
  • Events
  • Opinion
  • Tech
  • Podcasts
  • Coronavirus and Travel
  • Need to Know Research

Education

  • Certifications
  • Digital Guides
  • Fams
  • Thought Leadership
  • Advertiser Spotlight
  • Webinars
  • Quick Q's

Events

  • Global Travel Marketplace
  • GTM West
  • WAVE Awards
  • GTM by Northstar

Get Us in Your Inbox

I accept the T&C and Privacy Policy.

Search TravelAge West

Clear Field
Kenneth Shapiro // (c) 2013 Kenneth Shapiro
Kenneth ShapiroSVP/Content Director of the Retail Group

Share

  1. Home
  2. Industry Insight
  3. Opinion

New Travel Research Examines Consumer Values

Jun 24, 2018
New Travel Research Examines Consumer Values
A new survey shows that agent expertise is most important to clients.
Credit: 2018 Getty Images

What:
The first-ever Ensemble Agents Make A Difference Survey, which collected input from nearly 2,000 Ensemble agents, examined what clients value most about working with a travel professional. The top responses were: product knowledge (65%); destination knowledge (53%); help in emergency situations (30%); special deals/amenities (26%); time savings (22%); and price (11%).

Why It Matters:
These survey findings bode well for the agency community, indicating that expertise and know-how far outweigh price when it comes to client expectations. The results show that an advisor is better served by building an agency based on top-notch customer service and expertise, instead of budget pricing. (www.joinensemble.com)

Fast Facts:
- Survey results also indicate a banner season ahead when compared to the same three-month period last year. Seventeen percent of Ensemble agents said their business is up significantly (more than 25 percent); 39 percent said business is up (between 5 and 24 percent); 34 percent said it is the same; 9 percent said it was down; and only 1 percent said it was down significantly.

- The Ensemble Members Make A Difference Survey was conducted in May and reflects input from more than 1,800 travel professionals in the U.S. and Canada.

What They Are Saying:
“To have price come in dead last tells us we’ve turned the corner when it comes consumer awareness of the real value a travel professional makes in creating extraordinary vacations,” said Carl Schmitt, vice president and head of marketing for Ensemble Travel Group. “The days of ‘Can you get me the best deal?’ are gone, and hopefully for good.” 

The Details
Ensemble Travel Group
www.joinensemble.com

Get Us in Your Inbox

I accept the T&C and Privacy Policy.

Tell Us What You Think! forum

Related Content

Ensemble Conference 2017_FT2

What We Learned at the 2017 Ensemble Travel Group International Conference

  • Most Read
  • Most Shared
  1. 5 Future Leaders to Watch List, 2026
  2. Here Are All the Fall Travel Trends for 2026
  3. 14 ChatGPT Prompts Every Travel Advisor Should Use
  4. Top Black Friday Travel Deals for 2026
  5. How River Cruising Is Becoming More Adventurous

From Our Partners

More From TravelAge West

Clients can take advantage of these limited-time offers for their next adventure.

All the Black Friday Travel Deals You Need to Know

Data collected by travel app Going suggests there are a few ways to save on air travel this summer.

These Summer Airfare Trends Are Great for Deal-Seeking Travelers

Buzzy evening events at Hotel del Coronado and the San Diego Air & Space Museum allowed for organic networking.

5 Things We Learned at Signature Travel Network’s 2025 Owner’s Meeting

Atlas Ocean Voyages is among the many cruise lines offering Black Friday and Cyber Monday deals this year.

Here Are the Black Friday and Cyber Week Cruise Deals for 2025

Melissa DaSilva, deputy CEO and chief sales officer of TTC Tour Brands

Industry Q&A: Melissa DaSilva, Deputy CEO and Chief Sales Officer of TTC Tour Brands

Why Affinity Groups Are a Growth Engine for Advisors

Why Affinity Groups Are a Growth Engine for Advisors

Advisors will have the chance to visit Peru on a Trafalgar fam trip.

TTC Tour Brands Announces Second Tour Week Following Success of March Debut

Trafalgar River Cruises is among the brands benefiting from the updates.

TTC Tour Brands Overhauls Groups Program

According to new Need to Know research, travel advisors are regularly looking for educational opportunities.

Travel Agents Value Continuing Professional Education

More Stories Like This

Though the weather systems mostly impacted Kauai, visitation is down across the islands.

Hurricanes Lowell and Nolo Dampen Visitation to Hawaii

Read The Story
The right suppliers can help travel advisors manage emergency situations.

6 Ways Suppliers Can Help Travel Advisors Actually Take Time Off

Read The Story
Editorial: Why It’s Worth Traveling to Less-Visited Destinations

Editorial: Why It’s Worth Traveling to Less-Visited Destinations

Read The Story
Holiday airfares are hitting a 10-year high, but there are ways for travelers to maximize the potential for savings.

Holiday Travel Fares Are Hitting a 10-Year High

Read The Story
To reduce costs, travelers are choosing to stay within the U.S. or travel in off-peak periods.

MMGY Research Shows Travel Intent Is Strong, but the U.S. Market Is Increasingly Divided

Read The Story
Karen Morales, founder of Joyward Travel and Fora Accessibility Program Lead, is an accessible travel expert.

There Is No ‘Best’ Accessible Travel Destination — Only a Best Fit for Each Client

Read The Story
Editorial: Adventure Travel Is More Mainstream Than You Might Think

Editorial: Adventure Travel Is More Mainstream Than You Might Think

Read The Story
Editorial: What the OTA Era Can Teach Travel Advisors About AI

Editorial: What the OTA Era Can Teach Travel Advisors About AI

Read The Story
Some families see travel as an educational opportunity.

Why Taking Kids Out of School to Travel Is Becoming More Mainstream

Read The Story
Agentic AI tools may pull together travel ideas and inspiration, but not all travelers are ready to trust results when it comes to final payment.

Agentic AI Interest Is Up, But Trust Is Middling

Read The Story
TravelAge West

About TravelAge West

  • About Us
  • Contributors
  • Sales Team
  • Contact Us
  • My Profile
  • Terms of Use
  • Privacy Policy
  • Do Not Sell or Share My Data

Advertise

  • Advertise With Us
  • Write For US
  • Media Kit
  • Upload Ad Material
  • Digital Ad Specifications
  • Reprints
  • Subscribe to Print

Stay Connected to TravelAge West

Get Us in Your Inbox

I accept the T&C and Privacy Policy.


Northstar Travel Group

Northstar Travel Group

  • Travel Weekly
  • Travel Weekly Asia
  • TravelPulse
  • TravelPulse Canada
  • TravelPulse Quebec
  • Meetings & Incentives
  • Travel Technology
  • Corporate Travel
  • Hotel Investment
  • Data Products
  • AGENTatHOME

Copyright © 2026 Northstar Travel Media, LLC. All Rights Reserved. 301 Route 17 N, Suite 1150, Rutherford, NJ 07070 USA | Telephone: (201) 902-2000

Load Carousel Here
Load Video Here