Articles tagged “travel agents”

When online booking engines decimated the travel agent industry beginning in the late '90s, it was the "human vending machines" who went out of business, not the real travel advisors.

This is good-ish news for travel agents, especially since the demographic they were most likely to lose because of their tech-savvy booking skills indicate they still see value in travel agents.

The number of travel agents has decreased dramatically in the last two decades, and the ones that remain have focused on providing a suite of specialty services, rather than banking on the random trip that's better handled in a DIY fashion.

Online travel agencies are taking market share when it comes to hotel bookings for leisure and business travelers, but hotels' own direct channels still dominate, and travel agencies are still well ahead, too, if the TravelClick numbers are to be believed.

The traditional travel agency business model is changing and these sectors are the last to have their distribution systems disrupted. Agencies will need to learn to adopt to coming changes to maintain their position in the respective markets.

This study looks at the changing proportions of business models without taking into account the actual volume of agencies. The focus on market share rather than hard numbers hides the true health of the industry.

Agents that work with large corporations or older clients will likely see fewer returns than those who work with digitally savvy travelers.

Travel Leaders Group may see an opening to acquire some travel agencies in Europe to fuel its growth while American Express Business Travel figures out how a proposed joint venture with a private equity group is going to work.

After brutal battles between airlines and travel agencies over the last few years, IATA realizes it can't push through the changes in distribution that it seeks without some buy-in from the other side. New battles may be in the offing so enjoy the peace while she reigns.

"Craving for Travel" is geared for a mass audience, and not for people schooled in discussions of segments, surcharges and fare classes. The play undoubtedly fits in well with the messaging of its travel industry sponsors in a light-hearted way, but also celebrates the feats of a now 79-year-old woman entrepreneur, and the behind the scenes challenges that travel agents and travelers at almost every turn.