There is new, concrete data indicating that American travelers are indeed using the “Brexit Benefit” to their advantage, according to Travel Leaders Group. Today, the travel industry powerhouse – long known for its comprehensive travel survey information – released findings from its most recent nationwide survey of travel agents, and, for the first time ever in its Fall Travel Survey, London claimed the #1 ranking among international destinations. Just as impressive, Maui, Hawaii, also attained its first top ranking as Travel Leaders Group’s Top U.S. Destination for the remainder of the year – last year it ranked third. Orlando, New York City, Las Vegas, and Alaska cruises rounded out the top five domestic destinations.
This survey was conducted by Travel Leaders Group from July 28 – August 24, 2016, and includes responses from 1,145 U.S.-based travel agency owners, managers, and frontline travel agents from the flagship Travel Leaders brand, along with those affiliated with Travel Leaders Group’s Cruise Specialists, Nexion, Protravel International, Results! Travel, Travel Leaders Corporate, Tzell Travel Group and Vacation.com units.
“The ‘Brexit’ vote and resulting fluctuation in the British pound has been incredibly favorable for American travelers, whether for leisure or business trips. While London has always been among the top international destinations on our list, this is further proof that travelers are very willing to adjust and seize upon a prime opportunity when there’s increased value in a particular destination,” stated Travel Leaders Group CEO Ninan Chacko. “Domestically, Maui has long been among the most sought after destinations for American travelers, but had never surpassed Orlando, Las Vegas or New York City for the top spot. Because the Zika virus has had an impact on some individuals’ travel decisions, particularly those who are pregnant, Maui’s positioning has been bolstered by having no cases of locally-transmitted Zika.”
Travel Leaders Group travel agents from across the U.S. were asked to name up to five of the top domestic and international destinations they’re booking for the remainder of the year. The following information and trends are based on actual booking data.
| Rank | 2016 FALL – Top Domestic | Percentage | 2015 Rank |
| 1 | Maui, HI | 34.1% | 3 |
| 2 | Orlando, FL | 32.4% | 2 |
| 3 | New York City, NY | 30.5% | 1 |
| 4 | Las Vegas, NV | 28.0% | 4 |
| 5 | Cruise – Alaska | 25.5% | 5 |
| 6 | Los Angeles, CA | 19.6% | 6 |
| 7 | Honolulu, HI | 18.8% | 8 |
| 8 | San Francisco, CA | 17.2% | 7 |
| 9 | Chicago, IL | 14.2% | 9 |
| 10 | Washington, D.C. | 12.4% | 10 |
| Rank | 2016 FALL – Top International | Percentage | 2015 Rank |
| 1 | London, England | 31.0% | 3 |
| 2 | Cruise – Caribbean | 30.1% | 1 |
| 3 | Cancun, Mexico | 29.1% | 2 |
| 4 | Rome, Italy | 23.2% | 5 |
| 5 | Paris, France | 17.7% | 6 |
| 6 (tie) | Cruise – Europe (River) | 17.5% | 4 |
| 6 (tie) | Punta Cana, Dominican Republic | 17.5% | 8 |
| 8 | Cruise – Europe (Mediterranean) | 13.6% | 7 |
| 9 | Montego Bay, Jamaica | 10.8% | 10 |
| 10 | Florence and/or Tuscany, Italy | 10.0% | 9 |
Additional Key Findings:
“Brexit” and the British Pound: When specifically asking those who counsel clients on leisure travel whether the increased value of the U.S. dollar compared to the British pound amplified interest among clients in travel to countries within the United Kingdom, 45% responded affirmatively.
- Of the segment of Travel Leaders Group travel agents indicating clients had increased interest in travel to countries within the United Kingdom (England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland), 61.9% also reported an increase in bookings to the UK.
Europe Travel Bookings: Despite considerable news coverage of several security-related incidents in Europe, half of the Top 10 International Destinations being booked for the remainder of the year are for European destinations – including #5 Paris, France. Here are additional insights into European leisure travel.
- Overall Land-based Travel: When asked, “Compared to this time last year, how are your overall 2016 Europe land-based bookings?” 74.8% said their bookings are higher than or equal to this time last year (31.1% state “higher” while 43.7% state bookings are even).
- For all travel agents stating their bookings of land-based leisure travel to Europe are up over last year, 1% stated that the favorable exchange rate between the U.S. dollar and euro has been a factor in their increased bookings.
- Luxury Land-based Travel: When the same question about overall 2016 land-based bookings was asked, but specifically regarding luxury land-based European vacations, 82.5% of agents who book luxury travel to Europe indicated that their luxury bookings are the same or higher than this time last year (28.8% state “higher” and 53.6% say bookings are equal to last year).
- According to Travel Leaders Group agents, the stronger U.S. dollar played a factor in bookings for 70.5% of their luxury travel clients.
Travel Window: Agents were also asked about the timing of upcoming leisure travel for the majority of their clients headed to Europe.
| My clients want/need to go to Europe right now. | 9.4% |
| My clients are going to Europe within the next 3 months. | 30.0% |
| My clients are planning to go to Europe in the next 6-9 months. | 18.6% |
| My clients are planning to go to Europe in the next 9-12 months. | 18.4% |
| My clients are planning to go to Europe in the next 12+ months. | 10.1% |
| My clients are holding off on planning a Europe trip. | 13.5% |
- When the 13.5% who responded that clients were holding off on Europe were asked, “What is the main reason the majority of your clients are holding off on planning a Europe trip?” the top three responses among this very small segment of respondents were: “Terror Threats,” “Political Uncertainty” (e.g. Brexit, elections in key European countries, etc.), and “Selecting Other Destinations Domestically.”
Overall Bookings for 2016: When Travel Leaders Group travel agents were asked about their overall 2016 travel bookings compared to their 2015 bookings, 79% indicated that bookings are higher than or on par with last year at this same time (43.1% stated “higher” and 35.9% said bookings are even).
Optimism in the Travel Industry: When asked for their personal outlook on their business for the remainder of 2016, despite a small decrease from the past two years, a significant majority (94.2%) indicated they are either positive or neutral.
Travel Leaders Group is one of North America’s largest travel companies – encompassing nearly one-third of all travel agents – and generated gross travel sales of approximately $21 billion in 2015. Travel Leaders Group is a leader in both the retail travel agency space and corporate travel, and it consistently ranks as one of the top travel companies nationwide.
| 2016 | 2015 | 2014 | 2013 | 2012 | |
| Optimistic | 72.7% | 80.4% | 79.8% | 79.0% | 74.0% |
| Neither optimistic nor pessimistic | 21.5% | 16.6% | 16.0% | 15.3% | 18.3% |
| Pessimistic | 5.8% | 3.0% | 4.2% | 5.7% | 7.4% |
About Travel Leaders Group
Travel Leaders Group (www.travelleadersgroup.com) is transforming travel with a commitment to our vacation and business travel clients via our progressive approach toward each unique travel experience. Having already assisted millions of travelers – through our beginnings as Carlson Leisure Group, a division of Carlson Companies, TraveLeaders and Tzell Travel Group and through the additions of Nexion, Vacation.com and Protravel International – Travel Leaders Group manages leisure, business and franchise travel operations under a variety of diversified divisions and brands. With annual sales approaching $21 billion through over 7,000 locations, Travel Leaders Group ranks as one of the industry’s largest traditional travel agency companies.
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