PhoCusWright has released what it claims is the first definitive and comprehensive study of the tour operator and packaged travel market in the United States. Commissioned by the American Society of Travel Agents (ASTA) and researched and produced by PhoCusWright, the study aim to unravel the complexities of a market worth over US$18.3 billion in gross travel sales in 2008.This landmark report provides in-depth analysis of a complex and fragmented market, covering market size, growth trends, distribution patterns and important product developments. The study also delivers critical analysis of the major trends, opportunities and challenges facing both providers and sellers of packaged travel and strategic and tactical recommendations.

“The growth of online travel and the severe economic downturn of 2009 have imposed substantial change and—in many cases—significant challenges to providers of vacation packages and tours,” said report author Douglas Quinby, senior director, research at PhoCusWright. “This new research delivers not only essential insight into the current state of the industry, but strategic recommendations and actionable intelligence for the many thousands of tour operators and travel agents passionately involved in the business of packaged travel.”

The U.S. Packaged Travel Landscape: 2006-2010 report includes:

  * Definitions of key market terms and product categories

  * Historical marketing size in gross sales from 2006-2008 and projections through 2010

  * Analysis by package type: vacation packages, escorted tours, FIT, group travel

  * Distribution channel analysis and trending (online and offline, consumer direct and travel agent)

  * Segmentation by tour operator size, product type and distribution strategy (travel agent vs. direct)

  * Analysis of online travel agency packaging and the impact on the marketplace

  * Impact of the recession on market size and key distribution and product trends

  * Demographic analysis of tour operator customers
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