People Who Use Travel Agents Are Happier Than Those Who Don't

TRAVELSTORE WE'VE BEEN WHERE YOU WANT TO GO www.TRAVELSTORE.com · EST. 1975 . People Who Use Travel Agents Are Happier Than Those Who Don't USE OF AGENTS IS GROWING 13% 13* of travelers used a traditional travel agent in 2013 - about one in ten Americans - up from 11* a few years ago. Among leisure travelers who did not use a travel agent in the past year, 41% said they were open to using one in the future. 11% Americans That Used an Agent Millennials accounted for 29% of those who used an agent; Boomers accounted for 22%, and Gen-Xers accounted for about 50%. 2011 2013 22% Boomers 49% Gen-Xers 29% Millennials BETTER TRIPS Overall, more than half of leisure travelers who used an agent said their vacations were better than trips they had booked without agent assistance. 58% Boomers 53% Gen-Xers Millennials who used an agent were most likely to report that their vacations were better as a result, followed closely by Boomers and Gen-Xers. 59% Millennials Consumers who use a travel agent also travel more, taking one more trip a year than consumers who don't use an agent - an average 4.7 trips a year, compared to 3.6. CONSULTING THE PROS The convenience of having an expert plan a trip as well as travel professionals' knowledge of destinations and suppliers were the top reasons for using agents. Respondents said their agents were their most influential source for selecting hotels, vacation packages, destinations, airlines, and cruises. BUSINESS TRAVEL TRENDS About two in ten people used an agent to book their business travel in the last year. Here, too, the data indicated that those who used agents for business travel make more trips per year than those who don't. Business travelers who use agents are also more likely to book travel over the phone directly with a travel service supplier. Source: ASTA