Fifty-eight percent of the home-based agents polled in the 2008 year-end survey taken by the Outside Sales Support Network (OSSN) said they are optimistic that their businesses will grow in 2009. And, 69 percent said their revenues increased in 2008, despite the souring U.S. economy.
Those results are the latest highlights from an expansive online survey that OSSN conducts annually among its home-based travel agent members. The 2008 year-end survey was conducted last month.
"OSSN agents have decided not to accept the 'gloom and doom' verdict they're hearing in the news every day about the economy," OSSN President and Founder Gary M. Fee says. "Instead, they're ready this year to dig in, grow their client bases, and do what's necessary not only to survive, but thrive, in tough times."
The survey also found that, within the past five years, 41 percent of the responding agents had changed their travel niche or specialty and 26 percent switched from the host agency model in favor of securing a booking ID number and handling their own reservations.
"As more suppliers worry this year about maintaining their sales levels, home-based agents have grown into an extremely professional, dependable partner," Fee notes. "Home-based sellers of travel will be a steady rock for many travel vendors this year who find other distribution channels not as helpful for preserving yields and overall revenues."
The results offer an insight into current industry issues. Fifty-eight percent of the agents said terrorism has not stopped their clients from traveling internationally. Almost 55 percent said declining commission levels have affected their desire to sell cruises. And, while 61 percent took part in at least one virtual travel trade show in 2008, only 20 percent found the virtual event beneficial.
The complete survey results have been posted on OSSN's Web site (www.ossn.com/ossn_survey/2008yearendsurvey/index.html).
Founded in 1990, OSSN (www.ossn.com) is the largest trade association in North America dedicated to serving the needs of home-based travel agents. OSSN represents more than 7,000 agents with 63 chapters across North America.
