Survey Finds 4 in 5 Americans Prefer Working With A Travel Counselor To Plan A Major Trip
The national survey, which was conducted online from June 3 to 7, 2021, among a national sample of 1,190 adults, found that about 3 in 4 Americans would prefer to work with a human rather than a computer to access travel information that cannot be found online (75%), get travel recommendations (71%) or request an upgrade on a flight or hotel welcome convenience (73%). People also prefer to work with someone to help them find travel discounts (57%) and gain access to exclusive events and experiences (65%).
There were other interesting findings across demographics:
- Among Generation Z respondents, 56% said they had never booked a trip with a travel counselor. However, in the wake of the pandemic, 52% would consider booking a trip with a travel counselor in the future. 45% said they are “likely or very likely” to book their next travel experience using a travel counselor.
- Among Millennials, 49% have never booked with a travel counselor, but 50% would consider booking a trip with a travel counselor in the future. 39% said they are “likely or very likely” to book their next travel experience using a travel counselor.
- For Generation X respondents, only 39% have never booked with a travel counselor, and 39% would consider booking with a travel counselor in the future. In the wake of the pandemic, 38% said they are “likely or very likely” to book their next travel experience using a travel counselor.
- And for respondents aged 57 and over, not surprisingly, only 22% have never booked a trip with a travel counselor in the past.
“Many expect the younger generations, especially the digital-native Gen Z, to prefer to book trips online for themselves,” said JD O’Hara, CEO of Internova Travel Group. “However, that is not the case as we see more and more people seeking advice from a travel counselor in these very different travel times.”
Internova recently launched the “Become human. Human Book. “campaign to promote the value of a travel counselor as the complexity of travel continues in the wake of the pandemic. At the heart of the campaign is an immersive web experience on BookHuman.Travel that connects consumers directly with travel advisors across the United States of Protravel International, Tzell Travel Group and Andrew Harper Travel, the travel brands of Global Travel Collection, the luxury and premium division of Internova.
“Travel counselors have been the unsung heroes throughout the pandemic, saving the day for their travelers, supporting essential workers and reuniting families around the world,” O’Hara continued.
About Internova Travel Group
Internova Travel Group is one of the world’s largest travel services companies with a collection of leading brands delivering high-quality personal travel expertise to leisure and business. Internova manages leisure, business and franchise businesses through a portfolio of separate divisions. Internova represents more than 62,000 travel counselors at more than 6,000 company-owned and affiliated locations, primarily in United States, Canada and the UK, with a presence in more than 80 countries.
About Global Travel Collection
World travel collection (GTC), a division of Internova Travel Group, is the world’s largest collection of international luxury travel agencies, including the well-established networks of Protravel International, Tzell Travel Group and Colletts Travel, as well as Andrew Harper, In the Know Experiences, All Star Travel Group and R. Crusoe & Son. GTC Consultants and Agencies are industry leaders in providing premium travel services to leisure travelers, business executives and the entertainment industry. The combined global reach and leverage translates into value, recognition and preferential treatment for its travelers around the world.
SOURCE Internova travel group
