Pricey energy hasn't stymied travel agents
After surviving 9-11, economic recession and Internet competition, local travel agents are confident that recent fuel-inspired airfare hikes won’t derail their industry comeback of recent years.
In fact, local agents are reporting one of the best springs in years, as vacationers show renewed interest in Europe, Orlando and the expanded array of cruises, culinary tours and adventure destinations. Many customers, including empty-nester baby boomers, have money to spend on luxury, they say. And those who are watching their budgets due to rising fuel costs are still choosing to get away."People work so hard nowadays. For the most part the nine-to-five job is gone," says Elaine Osgood, president of Milford-based Atlas Travel International. "I think people feel if they don’t take a vacation, they’re going to burn out."
That attitude, as well as increased confidence in travel safety and some new travel niches, has made this a growth year for local agencies. Osgood expects her 62-person agency, which caters to 80 percent corporate travel and 20 percent leisure, to replicate the 63 percent growth it had last year.
Manager Diane Worona of Framingham-based Horizons Unlimited Travel, which also focuses on 80 percent corporate travel and has an office in Worcester, says her company’s 16 agents are finally seeing pre-9-11 business levels. And Leslie Hayden, senior agent at Carlson Wagonlit Travel of Framingham, notes her company just hired two new agents to bring its total to eight in what she agrees is a comeback year for travel.
Corporate travel is remaining strong as the economy continues to improve, agents say. While companies are watching their travel dollars closely with price increases, Osgood says that makes Atlas Travel’s services more appealing. Corporate clients rely on her company to manage travel expenses.
Despite the growth of on-line booking services, travel agents says there is still a demand for their expertise and trip monitoring services by vacationers who want to feel confident in their trip arrangements. And, says Henry Ostrout, manager of four-agent Spencer Travel Service, many people still want to be able to sit down and talk over their travel plans with an agent.
What vacationers are talking a lot about lately are cruises. Bookings are up by 50 percent, according to Hayden. One reason is the abundance of cruise ships. Cruises used to be for the well-heeled older traveler, says Kristen Zern, executive director of the Association of Travel Marketers in New York City. But many more travelers got exposed to cruising vacations after 9-11, when cruise lines dropped prices "ridiculously low" to stay afloat.
A key focus for cruises and travel in general is the family market, agents say, and there is a growing trend of extended families traveling together. Osgood says even business travelers are more inclined to add family members to their trips.
The destination wedding and vows renewal markets are niches that many agencies, including Carlson Wagonlit and Horizons Unlimited, are cultivating. More couples are getting married in vacation spots, with family and guests joining them on the trip.
As fuel prices continue to rise, travel experts do expect to see some impact on business. But they expect it to be more of a tempering of travel plans than scrapping them altogether. "Instead of doing the 10-day Disney trip, people may be doing the seven-day," says Ostrout.
Micky Baca can be reached at mbaca@wbjournal.com
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