Discounts Give Travel Agencies Boost in 1Q
by February 9, 2009 12:00 am 58 views
The marquee outside Travel Connection Ltd. in Rogers says it all: “The World On Sale.”
Al Gannon of Travel Connection said that while Jan. 1 traditionally kicks off a travel agent’s busy season, phones started ringing more frequently on the Monday after Christmas.
Travel Connection tied Design Travel Inc. for the top spot on the Business Journal’s annual list of largest travel agencies with $7.5 million in revenue each during 2008 (click here to see the list.)
“There’s been so much doom and gloom, but now the news media is actually helping us,” Gannon said. “They’re saying if you’re thinking about taking a vacation, now is the time to do it.”
With a global recession entering a second year, heavy discounting on airfares and more flexibility on group rates are the norm, Gannon said. For example, a cruise line may drop its group rate discount to groups of 12 from 16.
Courtney James, owner of Gulliver’s International Tours, said Disney is offering some unprecedented discounts such as three free nights with a four-night purchase at its properties, including steep discounts on tickets.
James was thankful to leave behind the fourth quarter that saw the financial system collapse.
“Since Jan. 1, things have really been brighter,” she said.