on the record O
Group Travel Survey
Shows Resilient Market ON FEBRUARY 20, 2009,
tions sent to Leisure
Leisure Group Travel Magazine con-
Group Travel’s InSite
ducted a survey of group travel buyers
e-newsletter sub-
regarding their groups’ travel inten-
scribers. 207 partici-
tions for the calendar year. This period
pants took part in the
was chosen as a strategic mid-point in
survey.
the 2009 travel season, a time when
While the results
group planners have a strong indica-
of the survey are
tion of advance customer deposits on
weighed down by the
large-ticket trips they launched for sale
overall sluggish eco-
last summer/ fall and a firm handle on
nomic environment
customer intentions for all trips sched-
that is gripping the
uled through the first half of the year. The survey was compiled by the magazine’s editorial team with invita-
United States, the leisure group travel
Based on responses from Leisure
industry, compared to other market
Group Travel readers, here is what’s
sectors, is proving very resilient. Do-
happening in the marketplace:
mestic and cruise travel indicators for
faith-based incoming agency
First
in
Germany
2009 are holding steady, a bright spot
• Seven in 10 leisure groups will plan
for any domestic destination or cruise
an equal or higher number of trips in
line looking to salvage an otherwise
2009 than in 2008, with 55% planning
bleak 2009. While the overseas out-
about the same number and 14% plan-
bound market is showing cracks, there
ning more. Load factors, however, will
is business on the books.
be lower, according to 69% of respon-
How are leisure groups bucking the
dents.
trend? In an “open response” format,
© Oberammergau
readers indicated techniques they are
• Three-quarters of group travel buy-
employing to better market their busi-
ers expect to book as many or more
ness. Marketing & advertising was
domestic motorcoach trips in 2009.
mentioned more as the key ingredient
Are you looking for a reliable partner for your trip to Germany and Europe?
in keeping their name out front than
• Nearly 6 in 10 said they predict
any other response. Groups are em-
steady or increased bookings for do-
We are specialised in: I Martin Luther and Reformation I Passion Play Oberammergau I Art & Literary study tours I Choir & Music tours
ploying conventional and web-based
mestic air trips.
travelers. Face-to-face presentations
to 53% of respondents, while 29%
We are related to the Catholic and Protestant Church.
and a reshuffling of tour products have
predict fewer cruise bookings and 18%
also been effective. While none of these
anticipate more cruise bookings.
Biblical Tours Stuttgart – Germany Fon 0049 711/61925-27 · Fax -827 E-Mail: incoming@biblische-reisen.de www.biblical-tours.com
tactics is new, they support the thesis
8 April 2009
strategies to stay fresh in prospective customers’ minds, with an increased
•
use of promotional discounts to lure
about the same as in 2008, according
Cruise bookings in 2009 will be
that in a recession you can’t run away
• Nearly two-thirds of group travel
and hide if you want to thrive – a busi-
buyers say overseas group travel will
ness needs to be visible and pro-active.
be down this year, with 30% expecting LeisureGroupTravel.com