Travelers Remain Reliant on Travel Professionals, Says New Travel Survey

Co-President's of Ensemble presenting at the "Think Big" Conference in Dallas, TX

“These positive survey results tell us that in spite of some very challenging world events – both natural and manmade – most consumers are resolute in carrying through with their travel plans,” said Stephanie Turner, President & CEO of Brentwood Travel.

Volatile world events have done little to deter consumers from carrying through with their travel plans, according to results of the just-released 2017 Ensemble Insights Survey. What’s more, the role of the travel professional and interest in lesser-known destinations and travel insurance have taken on an even greater importance by consumers in their travel planning activities.

The survey was conducted in September and based on input from nearly 2,000 Ensemble Travel Group members in the U.S. and Canada, including Brentwood Travel of St. Louis, MO. Results were released last month in Dallas at Ensemble’s annual conference attended by more than 850 members and industry partners. Stephanie Turner, President and CEO, along with Stacey Acree, Senior Vice-President; Stacey Hohene, Supervisor of Leisure Travel; Missi Wilson, Marketing Associate; and Travel Consultant's Carrie Fry and Julie Skrainka from Brentwood Travel attended the four-day convention.
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The Brentwood Travel staff at the Ensemble Conference

​​Of the survey respondents, 43 percent said world events such as terrorism, protests, and election results have had “little to no change” in their travel bookings for 2017 and 2018. Thirty-four percent of the respondents indicated their clients were placing a greater reliance on booking with a travel professional; 32 percent noted an increased interest in lesser-known destinations for their vacations; and 31 percent reported an increase in travel insurance bookings. Members could choose multiple answers for the question.

“These positive survey results tell us that in spite of some very challenging world events – both natural and manmade – most consumers are resolute in carrying through with their travel plans,” said Stephanie Turner, President & CEO of Brentwood Travel. “We’re particularly encouraged by the metrics that showcase a travel advisor’s expertise because this tells us consumers understand a professional’s value given our world’s ever-changing conditions.”

In addition, the appeal of experiential travel continues to resonate with consumers. When asked what is more important to the majority of clients – price or experience – the latter was the clear preference as 70 percent of respondents selected experience, compared to a distant 30 percent opting for price.
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Survey results also indicate 2018 to be a banner year ahead across all travel segments, with 66 percent of respondents expecting total travel bookings to increase compared to an already strong 2017 where 64 percent of those questioned expect bookings to be up this year. 

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