People are traveling these days and the numbers are strong, but if information from the U.S. Tour Operators Association (USTOA) is any indication, fewer of them may be traveling to Europe and the United Kingdom.
The weak dollar looks to be responsible for some significant numbers, compiled by USTOA. In a recent informal survey by the group, more than 50 percent of the companies serving Europe and Great Britain said their bookings to those parts of the world had fallen. Some companies reported 20 percent fewer bookings.
The association reports that an additional 60 percent of companies responding to the poll said they expect the weak dollar to result in price increases in the coming year, increases in the 5 to 15 percent range.
The strategy to keep people coming to Europe and the U.K. from the U.S. is “Inclusive products that bundle more features into a single price,” suggests Bob Whitley, USTOA President. European river cruising is a case in point. Whitley says its appeal, in part, stems from the fact that it “includes meals and sightseeing.”
As for how the anemic Greenback will impact overall 2008 bookings, some said it’s too early to tell. Others say it won’t have an effect. But travel is a malleable thing, and the world is a big place. Several tour operators believe the weak dollar will prompt people to travel to other parts of the planet.
“What is almost certain,” says Whitley, “is that travelers will be more careful in comparing the number of meals and excursions included upfront.” The key this coming year for U.S. travelers, more than most, is going to be value.
© Cheapflights Ltd Jerry Chandler
