Bright outlook for travel agents

Holidaymakers are still jetting off to the sun with the number of overseas trips this year expected to top last year’s figure of 6m.

Despite the sun splitting the stones in Ireland this summer, the Irish Travel Agents’ Association (ITAA) reveals that the majority of its members have not seen a fall in business for the second quarter of 2013 compared with the same period in 2012.

The quarterly survey was conducted by the ITAA to gauge how its members felt the second quarter of the year fared compared with the same period in 2012.

The results are positive, with nearly three quarters of members either seeing no change in business turnover, or an increase.

In 2012, ITAA members sold €967m worth of travel.

In addition, outbound travel created €150m for the Irish economy with holidaymakers’ pre-holiday spends in airports and retail outlets. The public took over 6m overseas trips in 2012 according to the CSO. This figure is set to rise in 2013.

ITAA members feel the biggest factor affecting business is the economic environment, as well as consumers returning to travel agents for expert advice and for bookings.

Commenting on the findings, Pat Dawson, chief executive of the ITAA said: “The results from our survey are very interesting. The level of bookings has increased, or stayed the same compared with this time last year for almost 72% of our members who participated in the survey. The most important statistic of all is that most of our members feel positive about the business year ahead.

“Overall this is a very confident result for the travel industry, our members and clients. We are excited and are looking forward to the remaining months of this year.”

* A new initiative of the ITAA is the launch of its new website with weekly travel agent deals for the public to view. The site offers the public every type of package holiday on offer, be it family holidays, cruises, or honeymoons.