survey

(Dive Travel Business News - January 13, 2012) -- The latest American Express Spending & Saving Tracker indicates that  Americans are planning on fixing up their homes or hitting the road.

According to the survey, 61 percent of respondents plan to spend more on travel and vacations this year. Most leisure travelers (77 percent) will fly to their destination and 27 percent say they’ll be on a plane more often than last year. Virtually all Young Professional leisure travelers will fly to their destination this year (94 percent). Nearly half (48 percent) say they will fly more often than last.

Half of all Americans plan to travel within the 50 states, 22 percent will venture abroad, 41 percent will choose a beach vacation to soak in the sun and 20 percent will hit the high-seas by taking a cruise.

Thirty-five percent say they’re optimistic about their finances in the year ahead. read more »

(Dive Travel Business News - November 05, 2010) -- Speaking at the recent 18th World Travel Monitor Forum in Pisa, Rolf Freitag, President of the consultancy IPK International, said: "The world’s international travel industry is back and now even more dynamic, and this year has underlined its role as one of the mainstays of the global economy". According to Rolf Freitag,  after the worst losses in recent history due to the worldwide economic and financial crisis in 2009, the world’s travel industry is back on course for success, much faster than expected and defying the predictions of international industry analysts. read more »

(Dive Travel Business News - July 10, 2010) -- In the recently published American Express Global Customer Service Barometer, a majority of survey respondents report that quality customer service is more important to them in today's tough economic environment (61 %). They also say they will spend an average of 9 % more when they believe a company provides excellent service.

The new American Express report indicates that customers want and expect superior service but companies haven't done enough to improve their approach to service in this economy. Highlights of the survey include:

• Nine out of ten Americans (91 %) consider the level of customer service important when deciding to do business with a company. 

• Only a little more than a third of Americans (37 %)  believe that companies have increased their focus on providing quality service. About one quarter (27%) feel businesses have not changed their attitude toward customer service.  Another 28% say that companies are now paying less attention to good service. read more »

(Dive Travel Business News - January 20, 2010) -- A new study by Forrester Research indicates that 15% fewer travelers will make online bookings in 2010. A recent article on CNN.com talks about this trend and includes 7 trips not to book online: Adventure travel, exotic travel and international travel in general are just three of the types of trips best booked through a travel specialist. This trend bodes well for those of us in Dive Travel - if you are developing your niche you won't be in competition with the big online travel companies for clients.

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(DiveTravelBusinessNews.com - Dec 1, 2009) -- An estimated 53 percent of all U.S. households are planning at least one leisure trip between now and April 2010, down slightly from the 56 percent who stated the same intention in October 2008, according to the results of the Ypartnerships most recent travelhorizons survey.

The October 2009 survey (which is co-authored every 90 days with the U.S. Travel Association and evaluates demand over the next six months) suggests that the travel industry is not out of the woods yet and that value will be in vogue once again, Peter Yesawich, CEO of the Ypartnership reports.

"Without question, 2009 has been a year of considerable challenge for practically every travel service provider," Yesawich said. "So, as the year comes to a close, our thoughts turn to the year ahead with the hope that market conditions will improve. And for some in the industry, just "stabilize" would come as welcomed relief." read more »

(Leisure Trends - August 30, 2009) - According to Leisure Trends RetailTRAK Survey for August 2009, Scuba Dive Retail merchandise sales while dive services (including dive travel) rose compared to a year ago.  

Total dive industry retail dollar sales were flat compared to August 2008. However, dive merchandise sales sank 18%, while services saw double-digit sales increases for the month. 

Compared to August 2008 here are the category changes in dollar sales by channel:

• Dive Merchandise (Equipment, Suits and Apparel): -18%
• All Dive Equipment: -18%
• Advanced Dive Equipment (BC’s, Regulators, Photo Equipment, Dive Computers & Air Cylinders): -16%
• Entry Level, or Snorkeling, Equipment: -19%
• Dive Suits: -18%
• Dive Services: +23%

  read more »

(May 22, 2009 - DTN) - Travel Trade - The majority of Americans (60%)believe that tours and vacation packages offer more value for the dollar, a recent consumer survey commissioned by USTOA found.

According to an earlier survey of USTOA members, "Buying a tour or vacation package can save an average 20% to 30% in general. In 2009, because of the stronger dollar, international travelers in particular can save an average 20% over last year's prices in many destinations," said Bob Whitley, USTOA president.

The consumer survey also revealed that three out of four Americans are planning a vacation trip this year despite the recession. But people are modifying their vacations by looking for affordable destinations and by traveling closer to home, survey results showed. read more »