PhoCusWright Report Optimistic for Travel Agents

A new report by PhoCusWright, a leader in travel industry research and intelligence, is optimistic about the future of travel agents. PhoCusWright’s “Travel Agency Distribution Landscape: 2006-2009” claims that although the Internet has been a significant area of growth and central driver of change in travel distribution over the past decade, the traditional travel agency segment remains significant.

According to the report, the travel agency distribution channel represents a large and dynamic opportunity accounting for nearly 70 billion euros in sales, or 41 percent of all travel booked in the United States.

PhoCusWright presented the first definitive sizing and analysis of the travel agency marketplace. The report was conducted in partnership with four leading U.S. travel industry organizations -American Society of Travel Agents, Airlines Reporting Corporation, Cruise Lines International Association and Performance Media Group- and the results came from a survey of nearly 1,900 agents and more than 60 in-depth interviews. The research spans the travel industry, including storefront-based travel agents and home-based agents, agency owners and managers, travel suppliers, technology and distribution companies, travel agency consortia, franchises and industry associations.