TRAVEL agents across Australia have reported higher sales of group touring products in the past 12 months, according to the results of the latest Travel Daily/travelBulletin industry survey.
The independent research found almost half (43%) of those polled had seen higher sales – a significantly higher proportion than the previous year – while just 12% had seen declining sales.
The top three brands sold by travel agents in the past year were APT, Trafalgar and Scenic, followed by Intrepid, Insight, Contiki and AAT Kings – indicating a particularly strong showing by The Travel Corporation.
The study also looked at customer brand recognition, with 82% of agents polled saying Contiki was most likely to be asked for by name – fractionally ahead of Scenic and APT at 81%.
APT was the personal favourite brand cited by most travel agents, followed by Scenic, Intrepid, Contiki, Trafalgar, Wendy Wu and G Adventures.
Key drivers of agent preference included “excellent product” and “excellent service” the survey found, along with other factors such as “knowledgeable staff,” excellence in training, call centre service and local area marketing.
The survey results are in the latest issue of travelBulletin, with the full report available to buy via research@traveldaily.com.au.
Source: traveldaily