WASHINGTON -- Travel agents hit another sales record in April,
reporting $6.67 billion to ARC to mark an all-time high for a
four-week month.
Meanwhile, commissions continued to decrease, voluntary closures
continued to increase and electronic ticketing and reporting
continued to rise.
Total volume for the month reflected sales by ARC's 41,816
full-service and satellite ticket printer locations on 141
airlines, three railroads and a dozen other suppliers, and
represented a 6% sales increase over April 1999.
Domestic fares (sales less taxes and fees) reached nearly $4.09
billion, up 4% over April 1999.
ARC sales
April 2000
Total Sales
$6.67B
Total Fares
$6.12B
Average Weekly Sales
per Location
$38,972
Average Domestic
Commission
4.34%
Average Int'l
Commission
11.47%
Total Agency
Locations
41,816*
*Includes satellite ticket printer
sites.
Source: ARC
Domestic commissions plunged 30% to $177 million because the
average rate taken at the point of sale fell from 6.48% in April
1999 to 4.34%.
On the international side, fares hit nearly $2.03 billion, the
second-best four-week month and only the second time that
international fares topped $2 billion in a four-week month.
International fares jumped 10% over April 1999, but commissions
fell 6% to $232 million because the average point-of-sale rate
slipped from 13.5% in April 1999 to 11.47%.
Domestic fares represented 66.9% of all fares, while domestic
commissions represented 43.3% of all commissions.
Commission figures reflect amounts taken on ARC sales reports
and exclude any overrides paid directly by suppliers; international
commission figures are inflated by consolidators.
The average agency office posted sales of $38,972 per week, up
about 14% over April 1999.
Other findings:
A total of 1,058 full-service home and branch agencies
voluntarily relinquished ARC accreditation during the first four
months of this year, up 26% over the same time frame last
year.Electronic ticketing accounted for 47.42% of transactions in
April, up from 30.43% in April 1999.A total of 19,136 locations or 45.8% of all locations
transmitted sales reports electronically. They accounted for 58.9%
of transactions, up from 32% in April 1999.ARC listed 42 accredited corporate travel departments
(including eight satellite ticket printer sites), up from 13 in
April 1999.