Contact:
Jennifer Michels
pr@asta.org
Positive Results Released for May 4 National Travel agent Appreciation Day
Alexandria, VA, May 2, 2016 – New research from The American Society of Travel Advisors (ASTA) proves that travel agents save consumers time and money. Consumers report that travel agents save them an average $452 per trip, and four hours in travel planning. Perhaps most importantly, consumers said that agents help them avoid costly mistakes.
The independent study, "Best of Both Worlds: Quantifying How Travel agents Save Consumers Time and Money," was funded by Carnival Corporation and conducted by market research firm TNS Global. Detailed findings of the final version of the survey will be available on ASTA.org by May 30.
"We couldn't hold back the good news, and that is that travel agent usage is at its highest level since we began commissioning independent consumer research three years ago. At this point, consumers have tried it all. They've booked online, they've gone direct, and they've used a travel agent. This study dispels the myth that booking direct with suppliers or spending hours online yourself gets you a better deal, or gives you a happier travel experience. Consumers told TNS Global that if you want a better travel experience, use an agent," said ASTA President and CEO Zane Kerby.
ASTA is releasing the results in honor of National Travel and Tourism Week May 1-7, with a special focus on Travel agent Appreciation Day, Wednesday May 4. "We want to say 'thank you' to our members all over the globe for all you do every day to advise and protect your customers," Kerby said. In addition, ASTA's sister brand, the National Association of Career Travel agents (NACTA), is declaring the month of May "National Travel Consultant Month." Congratulations to all NACTA members. More information on that can be found on NACTA.org.
Key preliminary findings in the ASTA survey include:
Check back to ASTA.org/Research at the end of May for final survey results.
ABOUT ASTA
Rebranded in 2018 as the American Society of Travel Advisors, ASTA is the leading global advocate for travel advisors, the travel industry and the traveling public. Its members represent 80 percent of all travel sold in the United States through the travel agency distribution channel. Together with hundreds of internationally-based members, ASTA’s history of industry advocacy traces back to its founding in 1931 when it launched with the mission to facilitate the business of selling travel through effective representation, shared knowledge and the enhancement of professionalism. For more information about the Society, visit ASTA.org. Consumers can connect with an ASTA travel advisor at TravelSense.org.