2012 Travel Predictions
January 2012
Welcome to the January edition of TRAVEL GUARD UPDATE,a monthly review designed to provide you with up-to-date industry information direct from seasoned travel retailers. This month, we're exploring 2012 travel predictions, providing a helpful travel tip and sharing how a travel insurance plan came to the rescue when a family emergency forced a cruise cancellation. Travel Guard invites your comments and suggestions on any areas you'd like to see covered in this regular update. E-mail your thoughts to us at klamourt@mmgyglobal.com. For more information on our travel insurance programs, please visit www.TravelGuard.com. In this month's issue:
- PULSE-POLL: 2012 TRAVEL PREDICTIONS
- TRAVEL TIP: NEW YEAR’S RESOLUTION
- EXCEEDING EXPECTATIONS: MEDICAL AIR TRANSPORT
PULSE-POLL: 2012 TRAVEL PREDICTIONS
Travel Guard recently polled travel agents to learn more about how they think the travel landscape will look in 2012. Results are below.
• A Look Back:
2011 was a year of travel triumphs and some tribulations, with 30% of agents polled noting their clients’ top concern when booking trips was illness or injury of themselves or a family member. The state of the economy also affected travelers in 2011 with 21% of agents polled citing the rising cost of travel as a top concern, while 15% believe job loss was the greatest concern for their clients in 2011. Agents also noted weather (11%), flight availability or flight cancellations and delays (10%) and the risk of losing non-refundable deposits (8%) as their clients’ top concerns.
• On the Road Again:
Based on early 2012 travel planning, 30% of agents polled feel their clients will travel more in the coming year than in 2011, while 61% expect their clients will travel about the same amount.
• What's Impacting Travel:
As the 2012 travel landscape takes shape, the lingering 2011 travel climate may play a role, with 54% of agents predicting a continued emphasis on value as a result of the previous year’s increased travel fares. In 2011, travelers had increased access to new and even more travel information online than in the recent past, and 18% of agents polled believe this trend is here to stay. Agents also reported online deal sites and flash sales (13%) as a continuing trend in the new year.
• Planning Ahead:
Given the many factors that can affect travel, 94% of agents polled predict that the number of their clients who purchased travel insurance in 2011 will remain, and likely increase in 2012.
TRAVEL TIP: NEW YEAR'S RESOLUTION
Each new year offers a fresh start; time to review the past and plan for the future. As 2011 demonstrated, travelers may not always know what each adventure has in store for them. For everything from flight delays and cancellations to medical emergencies and natural disasters, in 2012 travelers need to remain prepared for potential interruptions to their plans. Perhaps the easiest New Year’s resolution a traveler can make and keep is to cover their trip investment by purchasing a travel insurance plan when planning their next vacation.
Travel Guard North America’s insurance and assistance plans include 24-hour assistance for last minute trip changes, provide reimbursement of non-refundable deposits for trip cancellation or interruption due to covered reasons, baggage delay coverage and more. Travel Guard also offers family friendly plans that cover children 17 and under, traveling with insured adults, at no additional cost.
For the complete line of travel insurance and assistance service plans, visit www.TravelGuard.com.
EXCEEDING EXPECTATIONS: FAMILY EMERGENCY FORCES CANCELLATION
Ron and Lisa of Pennsylvania had planned a relaxing week-long cruise in Bermuda for their family. Looking forward to a week of sightseeing, shopping and snorkeling, the family was all set to depart when the unexpected happened. Lisa received word that her father had unexpectedly passed away and the funeral was scheduled to take place just before their departure date.
Given the circumstances, Lisa and her family had to cancel their trip. Travel Guard stepped in and took charge of their cancellations and also helped them recover their trip investment for the pre-paid, non-refundable portions of their trip.
“Travel Guard is like a breath of fresh air in today’s world. I can’t believe how smoothly the process went and how quickly I was reimbursed,” said Ron. “The process is simple, easy to use and Travel Guard’s customer service reps could not have been more responsive and helpful.”