Tour operators are becoming increasingly optimistic that the recession’s effects on the travel industry are beginning to abate.
Speaking at the Association of Independent Tour Operators (AITO) conference, which began today in Cochin, Kerala, AITO executive director Kate Kenward said a survey of 75 tour operators just before the conference found that 78% predicted booking levels will be the same or higher for next year. Just 59% reported steady or an increase in booking levels over the past 12 months.
Kenward said there were almost “zero” plans for redundancies next year while those operators who replied are planning a 10% increase in marketing for next year.
She added: “The operators are really going forward, they’re now looking at doing more staff training and increasing marketing and getting advice to work more effectively.”
Wanderlust magazine editor-in-chief and publisher Lyn Hughes said a survey of 2,100 consumers created a rosy picture.
As many as 89% said in October that they will be spending the same or more on holidays over the next 12 months, a 9% increase on when they were surveyed in May.
A further 91% of consumers claimed the recession had failed to have an impact on their travel plans and they have become less cost-conscious.
Hughes said when surveyed in May, consumers said price was the second-most important consideration behind the destination itself but this fell to third place in October behind customer service. The destination remained the most important consideration.
Customers are also becoming increasingly web savvy with 64% citing a personal email as their favorite way for a travel company to contact them.
A general e-newsletter remains the second most popular way of getting in contact, while in third place was receiving a brochure.