Travel Agent - February 16, 2009 - (Page 52)

BUSINESS OPER ATIONS HOME-BASED TRAVEL AGENT Industry Pulse: 2009 Home-Based Survey BY MICHAEL BROWNE WE RECENTLY RAN A SURVEY of the home-based readers of Travel Agent to get their gauge on what’s happening in the industry. We launched our survey in October, and here we present the complete results. More than 360 agents responded to the online survey, which ran from October 27 through November 26. Of the agents we polled, almost half (46.7 percent) describe their business infrastructure as being home-based working through a host agency. So when we eliminate the traditional brick-and-mortar agents or the independent contractors affiliated with them, we get a better idea of how many home-based agencies work with host agencies, and the percentage jumps up to a significant 61.7 percent. And it’s an experienced group. Half of the respondents reported being a travel agent for more than 10 years, and—on a promising note—nearly 35 percent report being an agent anywhere from one to five years, showing that there is some new blood coming into the industry. When asked specifically how long they have been home-based agents, close to a third (31.7 percent) fall in the two- to fiveyear range, and another quarter from five to 10 years. Again, we see a growing market here, with more than 25 percent reporting that they have been home-based travel agents from less than a year up to two years. The Top Destinations When it comes to destinations, the Caribbean rules. Among home-based agents, just under half (46.4 percent) say that the Caribbean is their most popular booking, by an overwhelming margin. Coming in at a distant second is Mexico, with 16.8 percent, but don’t be surprised to see that percentage rise this year as more properties and resort destinations there are developed. The U.S. and Canada are close behind Mexico, at 14.8 percent, and also may increase in popularity, depending on the economy. Cruises top home-based agents’ sales offerings, with 44.8 percent of all agents selling more cruises than tours or hotels and resorts. This figure is pretty consistent year to year, as cruises continue to be regarded as the most profitable travel product. When we look at annual sales volume, the majority of home-based agents fell in the $25,000–$100,000 range (1 percent) and $101,000–$500,000 (36.9 percent)—which represented year-to-year improvements for both groups. In 2008, 28 percent reported in the $25,000–$100,000 range, while 31.4 percent reported $101,000–$500,000. Some of that may be attributable to inflation based on fuel prices, but most agents did report an increase in actual volume. CONTINUED ON PAGE 54 How long have you been a home-based travel agent? 31.7% 25.1% As a home-based travel agent, do you work through a host agency? 16.7% 16.7% No 38.3% Yes 61.7% 9.8% Source: Home-Based Travel Agent, 2009 Source: Home-Based Travel Agent, 2009 Less than one year 1–2 years 2–5 years 5–10 years More than 10 years 52 | TravelAgent February 16, 2009

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Travel Agent - February 16, 2009

Travel Agent - February 16, 2009 Contents Small Luxury Hotels of the World Launches Agent Portal Affluent Travelers Aren't Slowing Down Agents Speak Out on MIMs Royal Hideaway Expanding Caribbean Resorts Continue Renovating From the Editor From the Publisher Europe Pacific/Asia Las Vegas Mexico Los Cabos Caribbean, The Bahamas & Bermuda Cruises Weddings Cover Story: The Travel Society Business Operations Economic Uncertainty is One of the Top Challenges Cited by NSBA Survey Respondents Keeping a Business Plan Up-to-Date is Constant Task Technology Education Offers Opportunity During a Downturn Editorial Index Agent Access In The Spotlight Advertising Index Special Supplement: Brazil Specialist

Travel Agent - February 16, 2009

Travel Agent - February 16, 2009 - Travel Agent - February 16, 2009 (Page Cover1) Travel Agent - February 16, 2009 - Travel Agent - February 16, 2009 (Page Cover2) Travel Agent - February 16, 2009 - Travel Agent - February 16, 2009 (Page 1) Travel Agent - February 16, 2009 - Contents (Page 2) Travel Agent - February 16, 2009 - Contents (Page 3) Travel Agent - February 16, 2009 - Contents (Page 4) Travel Agent - February 16, 2009 - Contents (Page 5) Travel Agent - February 16, 2009 - Affluent Travelers Aren't Slowing Down (Page 6) Travel Agent - February 16, 2009 - Affluent Travelers Aren't Slowing Down (Page 7) Travel Agent - February 16, 2009 - Caribbean Resorts Continue Renovating (Page 8) Travel Agent - February 16, 2009 - Caribbean Resorts Continue Renovating (Page 9) Travel Agent - February 16, 2009 - From the Editor (Page 10) Travel Agent - February 16, 2009 - From the Editor (Page 11) Travel Agent - February 16, 2009 - From the Publisher (Page 12) Travel Agent - February 16, 2009 - From the Publisher (Page 13) Travel Agent - February 16, 2009 - From the Publisher (Page 14) Travel Agent - February 16, 2009 - From the Publisher (Page 15) Travel Agent - February 16, 2009 - From the Publisher (Page 16) Travel Agent - February 16, 2009 - From the Publisher (Page 17) Travel Agent - February 16, 2009 - Europe (Page 18) Travel Agent - February 16, 2009 - Europe (Page 19) Travel Agent - February 16, 2009 - Europe (Page 20) Travel Agent - February 16, 2009 - Europe (Page 21) Travel Agent - February 16, 2009 - Pacific/Asia (Page 22) Travel Agent - February 16, 2009 - Pacific/Asia (Page 23) Travel Agent - February 16, 2009 - Pacific/Asia (Page 24) Travel Agent - February 16, 2009 - Pacific/Asia (Page 25) Travel Agent - February 16, 2009 - Las Vegas (Page 26) Travel Agent - February 16, 2009 - Las Vegas (Page 27) Travel Agent - February 16, 2009 - Las Vegas (Page 28) Travel Agent - February 16, 2009 - Las Vegas (Page 29) Travel Agent - February 16, 2009 - Mexico (Page 30) Travel Agent - February 16, 2009 - Mexico (Page 31) Travel Agent - February 16, 2009 - Mexico (Page 32) Travel Agent - February 16, 2009 - Los Cabos (Page 33) Travel Agent - February 16, 2009 - Caribbean, The Bahamas & Bermuda (Page 34) Travel Agent - February 16, 2009 - Caribbean, The Bahamas & Bermuda (Page 35) Travel Agent - February 16, 2009 - Caribbean, The Bahamas & Bermuda (Page 36) Travel Agent - February 16, 2009 - Caribbean, The Bahamas & Bermuda (Page 37) Travel Agent - February 16, 2009 - Caribbean, The Bahamas & Bermuda (Page 38) Travel Agent - February 16, 2009 - Caribbean, The Bahamas & Bermuda (Page 39) Travel Agent - February 16, 2009 - Cruises (Page 40) Travel Agent - February 16, 2009 - Cruises (Page 41) Travel Agent - February 16, 2009 - Cruises (Page 42) Travel Agent - February 16, 2009 - Cruises (Page 43) Travel Agent - February 16, 2009 - Cruises (Page 44) Travel Agent - February 16, 2009 - Cruises (Page 45) Travel Agent - February 16, 2009 - Weddings (Page 46) Travel Agent - February 16, 2009 - Weddings (Page 47) Travel Agent - February 16, 2009 - Cover Story: The Travel Society (Page 48) Travel Agent - February 16, 2009 - Cover Story: The Travel Society (Page 49) Travel Agent - February 16, 2009 - Cover Story: The Travel Society (Page 50) Travel Agent - February 16, 2009 - Cover Story: The Travel Society (Page 51) Travel Agent - February 16, 2009 - Business Operations (Page 52) Travel Agent - February 16, 2009 - Business Operations (Page 53) Travel Agent - February 16, 2009 - Business Operations (Page 54) Travel Agent - February 16, 2009 - Business Operations (Page 55) Travel Agent - February 16, 2009 - Economic Uncertainty is One of the Top Challenges Cited by NSBA Survey Respondents (Page 56) Travel Agent - February 16, 2009 - Economic Uncertainty is One of the Top Challenges Cited by NSBA Survey Respondents (Page 57) Travel Agent - February 16, 2009 - Keeping a Business Plan Up-to-Date is Constant Task (Page 58) Travel Agent - February 16, 2009 - Keeping a Business Plan Up-to-Date is Constant Task (Page 59) Travel Agent - February 16, 2009 - Keeping a Business Plan Up-to-Date is Constant Task (Page 60) Travel Agent - February 16, 2009 - Technology (Page 61) Travel Agent - February 16, 2009 - Technology (Page 62) Travel Agent - February 16, 2009 - Education Offers Opportunity During a Downturn (Page 63) Travel Agent - February 16, 2009 - Editorial Index (Page 64) Travel Agent - February 16, 2009 - Agent Access (Page 65) Travel Agent - February 16, 2009 - Agent Access (Page 66) Travel Agent - February 16, 2009 - Agent Access (Page 67) Travel Agent - February 16, 2009 - Agent Access (Page 68) Travel Agent - February 16, 2009 - Agent Access (Page 69) Travel Agent - February 16, 2009 - In The Spotlight (Page 70) Travel Agent - February 16, 2009 - In The Spotlight (Page 71) Travel Agent - February 16, 2009 - Advertising Index (Page 72) Travel Agent - February 16, 2009 - Advertising Index (Page Cover3) Travel Agent - February 16, 2009 - Advertising Index (Page Cover4) Travel Agent - February 16, 2009 - Special Supplement: Brazil Specialist (Page BCover1) Travel Agent - February 16, 2009 - Special Supplement: Brazil Specialist (Page BCover2) Travel Agent - February 16, 2009 - Special Supplement: Brazil Specialist (Page B1) Travel Agent - February 16, 2009 - Special Supplement: Brazil Specialist (Page B2) Travel Agent - February 16, 2009 - Special Supplement: Brazil Specialist (Page B3) Travel Agent - February 16, 2009 - Special Supplement: Brazil Specialist (Page B4) Travel Agent - February 16, 2009 - Special Supplement: Brazil Specialist (Page B5) Travel Agent - February 16, 2009 - Special Supplement: Brazil Specialist (Page B6) Travel Agent - February 16, 2009 - Special Supplement: Brazil Specialist (Page B7) Travel Agent - February 16, 2009 - Special Supplement: Brazil Specialist (Page B8) Travel Agent - February 16, 2009 - Special Supplement: Brazil Specialist (Page B9) Travel Agent - February 16, 2009 - Special Supplement: Brazil Specialist (Page B10) Travel Agent - February 16, 2009 - Special Supplement: Brazil Specialist (Page B11) Travel Agent - February 16, 2009 - Special Supplement: Brazil Specialist (Page B12) Travel Agent - February 16, 2009 - Special Supplement: Brazil Specialist (Page B13) Travel Agent - February 16, 2009 - Special Supplement: Brazil Specialist (Page B14) Travel Agent - February 16, 2009 - Special Supplement: Brazil Specialist (Page B15) Travel Agent - February 16, 2009 - Special Supplement: Brazil Specialist (Page B16) Travel Agent - February 16, 2009 - Special Supplement: Brazil Specialist (Page B17) Travel Agent - February 16, 2009 - Special Supplement: Brazil Specialist (Page B18) Travel Agent - February 16, 2009 - Special Supplement: Brazil Specialist (Page B19) Travel Agent - February 16, 2009 - Special Supplement: Brazil Specialist (Page B20) Travel Agent - February 16, 2009 - Special Supplement: Brazil Specialist (Page B21) Travel Agent - February 16, 2009 - Special Supplement: Brazil Specialist (Page B22) Travel Agent - February 16, 2009 - Special Supplement: Brazil Specialist (Page B23) Travel Agent - February 16, 2009 - Special Supplement: Brazil Specialist (Page B24) Travel Agent - February 16, 2009 - Special Supplement: Brazil Specialist (Page B25) Travel Agent - February 16, 2009 - Special Supplement: Brazil Specialist (Page B26) Travel Agent - February 16, 2009 - Special Supplement: Brazil Specialist (Page B27) Travel Agent - February 16, 2009 - Special Supplement: Brazil Specialist (Page B28) Travel Agent - February 16, 2009 - Special Supplement: Brazil Specialist (Page BCover3) Travel Agent - February 16, 2009 - Special Supplement: Brazil Specialist (Page BCover4) 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