Richmond, Virginia, May 29, 2024 – A recent travel advisor survey from Allianz Partners USArevealed a number of new travel and business trends within the industry. Their responses highlight this year’s most-popular destinations, inspiration for travel and types of trips they are booking, the most popular travel group size and the social media platforms advisors use to engage with clientele.
The survey* of travel advisors included independent advisors, as well as those associated with a consortia, who are primarily focused on booking cruises, vacation packages and tours for their customers.
The top destinations for clients this year are in Mexico, Caribbean and Europe and advisors noted that cruises (79%) and full vacation packages (74%) are their most popular requests for bookings, though they are also supporting customers to coordinate tours (60%), lodging (57%), flights (52%), river cruises (47%), rental cars (29%) and even event and concert tickets (5%). Travel advisors’ typical size for bookings this year were evenly split between three-to-five people and two people, both at 42%.
More than half (53%) of advisors said their customers’ main motivation for travel was relaxation, supporting a trend Allianz Partners identified in their 2023 Vacation Confidence Index with younger generations prioritizing wellness and self-care in their travels. But not everyone is ready to chill as adventure and exploration followed at 40% for trip purpose or motivation, and only a small portion of advisors’ clients were traveling for a private special event (4%) such as a wedding or family reunion.
For interacting with prospective and current clients, travel advisors turn to Facebook (60%), followed by Instagram (8%) and LinkedIn (1%), while thirty percent of respondents said they do not use social media to connect.
Travel insurance also popped up as a trend, with 66% of travel advisor respondents reporting that they “always” (80% or more of the time) recommend Allianz Travel Insurance, and 86% reporting that Allianz Partners’ AgentMax Online is their preferred selling platform. Three in ten travel advisor respondents (31%) said they have been selling traveling insurance for 20-plus years [15% have been selling for past 10-20 years, 16% the last 5-10 years, 31% the last 5 years and 9% in the last year].
“Whether customers are setting out on a cruise or planning a sun-soaked getaway, destinations this year will be bustling with travelers who are making the most of their time away,” says Daniel Durazo, director of external communications at Allianz Partners USA. “We expect this summer will see an influx of travelers around the world, which is why travel insurance is an important consideration in the booking process. In a world of rising trip costs, travel insurance can protect against additional expenses caused by covered delays, lost baggage, medical emergencies and more, so we appreciate all that travel advisors do to educate their customers on the importance of travel protection while they’re helping clients plan their next travel adventure.”
Allianz Partners offers travel insurance through most major U.S. airlines, leading travel agents, online travel agencies, hotel companies, cruise lines and directly to consumers. For more information on Allianz Partners and available travel policies, please visit http:www.allianztravelinsurance.com/.
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*Methodology: This press release highlights results from an Allianz Partners survey of non-AAA travel advisors who sold an Allianz Travel Insurance policy in the last 12 months. The majority of respondents are over the age of 55, are working as independent advisors but are also associated with a consortia, book less than 10 trips per month, and are focused on cruises, vacation packages and tours. The survey ran from March 11, 2024, to March 28, 2024, and asked questions about purchasing behavior and upcoming plans.
Press contact
FINN Partners
Robin Magrisi / Robin.Magrisi@finnpartners.com
Megan Derks / Megan.Derks@finnpartners.com