For
Immediate Release
April 15, 2002
FIVE EARLY TRAVEL TRENDS
As the summer travel season approaches, the United States Tour Operators Association has spotted some early trends.
1. People are booking their vacations closer than ever to departure date. "Bookings are short term. We used to see people reserving their vacations 6 to 9 months in advance. This year it's more like 60 days ahead, and we are anticipating that this pattern continue," notes Bob Whitley, USTOA President.
2. Everyone is looking for a bargain, and discounting -- at least through the spring -- is common. "The public is conditioned by airline sales and also by deep discounts following September 11. People are waiting longer than ever to find that perfect bargain," says Whitley, cautioning that as more Americans continue to travel toward the peak vacation season, there will be less discounting.
3. Americans want to experience destinations in more depth. Increasingly, they want to discover the back roads and out-of-the-way places, experiencing everyday life; and joining in activities. "Vacation packages and tours are changing to incorporate more unusual experiences, including visits to local farms, vineyards, and walking tours that explore lesser-known areas," explains Whitley.
4. Families want to take packages, and intergenerational travel is gaining. Some tour operators have introduced family pricing, as increasing numbers of Americans are finding that it's easier to let the professionals do the planning, even on a family vacation, notes Whitley.
5. Group travel -- tours planned by churches, synagogues, local fraternal and social organizations -- is picking up as Americans feel more secure about traveling. "Group members reap the benefits of savings because they are able to purchase travel through a tour operator in larger blocks. There is a lot of comfort in traveling with a group of people who share common characteristics," says Whitley.
The nonprofit USTOA is made up of nearly 140 companies representing some of the most respected names in packaged travel. The association's members -- who must meet the strictest requirements in the travel industry -- provide vacations for more than 10 million travelers yearly. All USTOA members must participate in the USTOA $1 Million Consumer Protection Plan, which protects consumer deposits and payments up to $1 Million per company in the event the company becomes insolvent.
For a listing of USTOA members as well as a free copy of the Smart Traveler's Planning Kit phone 1-800-GO-USTOA; or visit the USTOA website: www.ustoa.com.
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Press Contact:
Linda Kundell
Kundell Communications
(212) 877-2798 phone
(212) 877-3387 fax
LRKPR@att.net or LRKPR@aol.com
For all other inquiries about USTOA, please contact USTOA.
