Independent travel agents are optimistic 2008 holiday bookings will be up on last year despite the credit crunch.
A survey of 1,000 independent agents by field marketing company The Network, showed that 38% of agents expect holiday bookings through the trade to increase by 5% to 10% on last year. A further 23% are even more confident, saying bookings this year could be up by as much as 10% or more.
The results, which come despite reports of doom and gloom in the financial markets, reflect general confidence in the travel trade, with many companies claiming consumers are continuing to book holidays.
But the survey also showed 25% believe the number of bookings will be the same as last year, and 9% believe they will be up by less than 5%. Only 6% of agents surveyed believe bookings this year will be down on last year.
Meanwhile, agents predicted Australia, Italy and Greece would see the largest bookings growth this year.
Of the agents surveyed, 17% named Australia as likely to see the biggest growth in bookings in the longhaul market, followed by 12% for the US, 7% for South Africa, 6% for China, and 5% for New Zealand.
In the shorthaul market, 15% said Italy would see the biggest growth in bookings in 2008 and 15% named Greece. Also tipped to do well was Spain with 12%, Egypt with 11% and Croatia with 9%.
The survey results are from face-to-face interviews with independent travel agency staff in January. The Network is planning regular similar surveys.
The Network’s business development director Paula Lacey said: “The prospects for 2008 holiday bookings through the trade are hugely encouraging.”