Advantage members expect to see a “significant reduction” in the number of high street agents over the next couple of years.
Speaking at the Advantage conference in Lucerne former pilot and Monkey Business director John Peters revealed the results of a survey of Advantage members which suggested that the number of independents will fall further.
Conversely he told delegates the same survey revealed a growing demand is expected for independents in the future from consumers.
Peters said this apparent mismatch highlighted that good businesses will thrive but those which are badly run or do not add value successfully would flounder.
The survey placed the internet at the top of the pile of future influences on business, up 25% on 2009 and jumping from third to first place.
The economic downturn dropped to second place with discounting and overheads in third and fourth respectively.
The members still believe price is at the forefront of consumers’ minds with agent service again coming in second but the former was down 5% while the latter jumped by 21%.
From a business travel perspective the belief of members is that there will be more consolidation in the travel management company sector.
Overall Advantage members scored the organisation 8.5 out of 10 which McEwan hopes to increase to 9.5 in 2011.