What Is Happening In The Group Travel Industry?
Summer has started and bookings were strong to start the season, now it has come time for the cancellations to begin and they have.
After a slow year in 2008 with a drop of 15% from 2007, I had an optimistic look on 2009. Bookings were strong as gas prices were high and people were hoping that group travel would prosper.
This year has been a total surprise as the lower and moderate priced trips have been a disaster and the higher end tours have held steady or have had a slight increase. Does this mean that we should plan more higher end product for 2010? I am baffled.
I feel it is time to keep looking for new and unique products, maybe higher priced that hopefully will attract the baby boomers (60 - 70 years) into traveling on a coach tour. I also feel that we need to package more product with less structure and more independence.
It is time to be inventive, creative, cost conscience and continue to find ways to attract the younger participant that will be your client for the future.
Tags: Group travel, motorcoach tours, travel