Will travel agents be needed in the future?

A 2023 consumer research survey from ASTA (the American Society of Travel Advisors) found that 50% of travelers are more likely to use a travel advisor post-pandemic. (This is a 7-point increase from 2022.) Here are the crib notes: There's no better time to become a travel agent.



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A 2023 consumer research survey from ASTA (the American Society of Travel Advisors) found that 50% of travelers are more likely to use a travel advisor post-pandemic. (This is a 7-point increase from 2022.) Here are the crib notes: There's no better time to become a travel agent.

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As of 2023, there are over 400,000 people employed in the Travel Agencies industry in the US. The industry is forecast to grow by 7.1% throughout 2023, clearly demonstrating that demand for travel agents remains strong.

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Today, despite multiple threats to their business model, travel advisors appear to be here to stay. Many expect a surge of 2022 bookings, with clients ready to travel again after a year and a half of pandemic lethargy.

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A significant reduction in the number of travel agents. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, full-time agents declined from a peak of 124,000 in 2000 to 82,000 in 2019. From 1997 to 2013, retail travel agency headcount fell by 59 percent—from 22,938 to 9,387, said Skift, a travel media and events company.

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Then along came online booking sites like Travelocity and Expedia. These and other web platforms gave consumers the ability to plan and purchase their own trips. Losing clients to online providers and reduced commissions hurt brick-and-mortar agencies, leading many to downsize or leave the industry altogether.

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Eco-tourism Sustainability has become an increasingly important issue in recent years, and travelers are now more aware than ever of the impact their trips have on the environment. In 2023, we can expect to see a rise in eco-tourism, which focuses on environmentally responsible travel.

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A resounding 87% of survey respondents expect to travel at least as much as they did in the prior year, with 49% selecting that they expect to travel more. This is especially true among younger respondents, with 59% of those between the ages of 18 to 26 planning to travel more in 2023.

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Approach it as a side hustle with the potential for growth. Being a travel agent can be a great way to make extra cash, especially if you already have other businesses or entrepreneurial ventures. If you're a serial entrepreneur, juggling multiple ventures might come naturally to you.

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How do travel agents get paid? Commissions – you are paid a percentage of the cost. Service fees – you charge a fee for arranging each segment of travel. Salaries – you work for a large travel company.

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16 Top Challenges Facing Travel Agencies 2022 and Beyond Inflation
  • Unstable Labor Market. ...
  • Oil Pricing. ...
  • Post COVID Pandemic Travel Apathy. ...
  • Social Media Deterioration. ...
  • Dynamic Pricing. ...
  • World Events. ...
  • Managing Clients and Global COVID Restrictions and Protocols. ...
  • Developing a Profitable Niche.


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The short answer is, yes. 22% of U.S. travelers used a travel advisor 1. This percentage will grow, with 50% of travelers reporting they're more likely to use a travel advisor post-pandemic (a 14% increase from 2022!) 2.

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In 2023, I expect that to reverse and year-over-year fares to fall. With China—the last major country with covid travel restrictions—poised to reopen on January 8, I'm anticipating a huge uptick in transpacific flights (which are currently down 50% compared to 2019). More competition = cheaper fares.

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Global business travel spending is expected to recover to its pre-pandemic total of $1.4 trillion in 2024 and grow to nearly $1.8 trillion by 2027, fueled by more favorable economic conditions than expected in 2022 and 2023. In 2022, global business travel spending rose 47% to $1.03 trillion.

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Gen Z in Hospitality: Adapting to the Next Generation of Travellers. Generation Z or Gen Z, refers to the group of people who were born between the late 1990s and early 2010s. A diverse demographic who grew up in a rapidly changing world, shaped by technology, social media, and a growing awareness of social issues.

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Tourism 2025 is a framework to unite New Zealand's large and diverse tourism industry and ignite strong, aspirational economic growth. The objective is to create $41 Billion of Total Tourism Revenue in 2025 by improving the competitiveness of New Zealand Tourism.

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In conclusion, while AI has transformed the travel industry, it is unlikely to replace travel agents completely. Rather, AI and travel agents will work together to provide the best possible experience for travellers.

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But travel agencies also typically fall under “high risk.” One reason for that is the higher-than-average chargeback rates that can come from bookings for a future trip that a client later wants to cancel.

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Top 10 Online Travel Agencies USA
  • Booking.com.
  • Expedia.
  • Airbnb.
  • Hostelworld.
  • Vrbo.
  • Agoda.
  • HotelTonight.
  • HRS.


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