This report comprises the results of the 2018 Travel Industry Survey. The survey is conducted annually and examines important trends in the operations of travel agencies.
The Warren Weiss Co. collected the data by distributing an online questionnaire to Travel Weekly and TravelAge West subscribers in July, inviting them to participate in the research project. The survey results were based on responses from 857 travel agents, received in July.
This sample size enables analyses of various segments and subgroups, with statistical reliability for the total sample of +/- 3.28% with a confidence level of 95%. However, for the most part, trends apparent in the data are so consistent over time that even small changes can be considered reliable.
In past years, a distinction was made between traditional brick-and-mortar agencies and home-based agencies based on whether the agent worked in a retail office or at home. That distinction had become increasingly blurred due to the proliferation of people who work from home, and the many agents working for what would be considered a traditional retail agency that actually work mostly from their own home. This report clarifies whether those working at home are independent, home-based agents or home-based employees. In this year's survey, 45% of all agents included in the survey sample identified themselves as independent, home-based agents, whereas 16% of agents in the sample are employees who work primarily from home. "Home-based agents" in this report refer to the independent, home-based agents.
The terms "retail" and "traditional" are used interchangeably in this report when referring to agencies based in brick-and mortar offices as opposed to independent home-based offices. The travel agents who participated in the survey hail from all major regions of the U.S.: 30% are from the South, 28% are from the West, 18% are from the Northeast and 21% are from the Midwest (3% are from Canada/ non-U.S.).