Italy ranks first as the single most popular destination within Europe for vacation packages and tours, with Las Vegas in first place domestically, according to an informal survey conducted by the United States Tour Operators Association, whose members account for the majority of tours and vacation packages sold by travel agents in the U.S.
Year 2000 Festivities Attributed to Popularity
This is the sixth year in a row that Italy has placed first as the most popular international destination for tours and vacation packages, notes USTOA president Robert E. Whitley, who stated that year 2000 festivities in Europe, and a strong U.S. economy, are fueling interest. Germany, too, which placed second in popularity, is profiting from year 2000 activities, such as the once-in-a-decade Passion Play staged in the Bavarian town of Oberammergau.
Las Vegas Again Surpasses Orlando
For the second year in a row Las Vegas slightly edged out Orlando and Disney World, with which it tied last year. Instead, this year New York tied with Orlando for second place as the most popular U.S. destination for tours and vacation packages.
Hottest Growth
Las Vegas also came in first as the hottest growing U.S. destination, with Spain and the Central European destinations of Prague and Budapest in a tie for second place on the European continent. Elsewhere, Indo China was noted as the hottest growing destinations in Asia.
First-Time Destinations
When asked which destinations they were offering for the first time, four USTOA companies cited expanded offerings within the U.S. and Canada. The middle east, too, was cited, particularly Israel and Sharm El Sheik in Egypt's Sinai Peninsula, as was Southeast Asia.
Sales Strong as Independent and Family Travel Lead the Way
The vast majority of USTOA survey respondees were highly optimistic about the 2000 travel season, with nearly 80% expecting sales to increase anywhere from 10% to 100%. Not surprisingly, in this jubilee year, companies offering religious pilgrimages expected the highest sales growth. However, nearly 40% of responding companies reported anticipated sales growth of between 20 35% this year compared to last year.
This year's survey also bore out the fact that vacation packages and tours are becoming increasingly diversified. Independent, more active vacations continue to gain momentum, with one-third of responding companies citing this as the hottest trend, followed by family travel at nearly 25%. Holding ground were shorter, all-inclusive, and escorted tours, along with rail tours, modular (mix and match) and special interest vacations.
USTOA Active Member companies represent nearly 150 brand names in travel, accounting for10 million travelers and $8 billion in sales annually. The association's members must adhere to the travel industry's most stringent standards, including participation in the USTOA $1 Million Consumer Protection Plan.
For a copy of USTOA's "Smart Traveler's Planning Kit," phone 1-800-GO-USTOA (468-7862), or e-mail information@ustoa.com. A listing of USTOA Members and the destinations they serve is also available by keying in www.ustoa.com.
MOST POPULAR DESTINATION
International:
First Place: Italy
Second Place: Germany
Domestic:
First Place: Las Vegas
Second Place: Orlando/Disney World, New York
HOTTEST GROWTH
International:
Spain, Central Europe, Prague, Budapest
Domestic:
Las Vegas
FIRST-TIME DESTINATIONS
Expanded U.S. & Canada, Middle East, Israel, Sharm El Sheik Egypt, Southeast Asia
VACATION PACKAGE SALES
80% of companies expect increases
40% of companies expect increases of 20 35%
HOTTEST TRENDS
Main Trends
Independence, More active vacations, Family travel
Holding Firm
Shorter vacations, All-inclusive, Escorted tours, Rail tours, Modular, Special interest vacations
Public Relations Contact:
Linda Kundell Communications
(212) 877-2798, (212) 877-3387 fax
(For all other inquiries about USTOA, please contact USTOA.)
