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What's Hot in Travel Associations Trends & Press

TIA Express knows what's important to you - the very latest in Travel Associations issues and news.

That's why we have compiled the following articles listed below. Stay up-to-date on hot issues, industry trends and late breaking news for Travel Associations. Come back often – we promise to keep you "in the know"!  

GDP Exceeds Wall Street Forecasts
During the first quarter the economy grew at an annual rate of 3.8 percent according to a recent release by the Department of Commerce. Economists on Wall Street expected a growth rate of 3.7 percent in the first quarter. Most forecasters believe that the GDP will continue to grow at approximately 3.5 percent throughout the year. The home building industry contributed significantly to the upward revision in the first quarter growth. The price index for gross domestic purchases, which measures prices paid by U.S. residents, increased 2.7 percent in the first quarter, a slight decline from the 2.9 percent seen in the fourth quarter.
- June 29, 2005

Consumer Confidence Rises to a Three-Year High
The Conference Board Consumer Confidence Index increased 2.7 points to 105.8 in June from the 103.1 recorded in May. June's reading was the highest since June 2002, when the index stood at 106.3. The Present Situation Index rose to 120.7 from 117.8 in May. The Expectation Index also increased to 95.8 in June from 93.4 in the previous month. Consumers stating that jobs are "hard to get" declined to 22.6 percent from 24.1 percent in May. Consumers stating that jobs were "plentiful" was practically unchanged at 22.6 percent in June. 
- June 29, 2005

Travel Prices Decreased 1.2 Percent in May
The May Travel Price Index, TPI, declined 1.2 percent from April and increased 3.8 percent over May 2004. Gasoline prices decreased 2.9 percent and lodging prices fell 3.5 percent against April 2005. Airfares climbed 2.2 percent over the previous month and 4.1 percent from twelve months earlier. General inflation as reflected in the Consumer Price Index (CPI-U) decreased 0.1 percent from April and increasing 2.8 percent compared to May 2004. Developed by TIA, the Travel Price Index (TPI) measures the seasonally unadjusted inflation rate of the cost of travel away from home in the United States.
- June 27, 2005

AAA Travel Agents Reporting Strong Summer Bookings
A survey by AAA finds that 69 percent of its travel agents are seeing increases in overall summer travel bookings compared to last year despite higher fuel costs, rising hotel rates, and a weak U.S. dollar. Travel agency managers cite Hawaii, along with Orlando, Seattle, Las Vegas, and California as top U.S. travel destinations this summer, according to AAA. In addition, international outbound travel is also expected to be strong this summer, with London, Cancun, Rome, and the Caribbean being very popular. 
- June 24, 2005

Consumer Confidence Increases in June
The University of Michigan survey shows an increase in consumer sentiment amid falling gas prices. The University of Michigan's Consumer Confidence Index rose to 94.8 for the month of June from 86.9 in May, according to those who viewed the subscription only report. The index reading exceeded the average forecast of economists surveyed by briefing.com. Economist predicted an increase of 88.0. American's assessment of current conditions increased to 110.4 from 104.9 in May.
- June 20, 2005

U.S. Backs Off Passport Plan
Congress postponed a measure that would require visitors from nations considered friendly to obtain passports with fingerprint and iris scan information by this fall. Instead the 27 Visa Waiver Program countries will only be required to carry passports with tamper-proof digitized photos by October 26, 2005. These same countries failed to meet the October 2004 deadline requiring biometric passports, and were expected to miss the deadline again this year. The Department of Homeland Security will require passports to include an embedded chip to hold future biometric information such as fingerprints and iris scans as early as next year.
- June 14, 2005

U.S. Adds Japan To Tourism Marketing Plan
The Office of Travel and Tourism Industries received an additional $10 million from Congress to increase the international marketing efforts to the United States. The additional funding made it possible for an inbound promotion from Japan in addition to the U.K. A Tourism Advisory board discussed the results of the $6 million advertising and promotion campaign launched in the U.K. in 2004-05. While no specific inbound traffic numbers were reported, the Visit America Alliance expressed satisfaction that the program resulted in significant advertising, publicity and increased consumer interest in travel to the U.S. 
- June 13, 2005

12.7 Million Americans Expected to Visit Europe in 2005
The European Travel Commission expects 12.7 million American visitors this year, approaching pre-September 11th levels. AAA travel agents made 14.9 percent more reservations this year to Europe for the April-September period, compared with the year-ago period. London, where the pound is still strong, is the top AAA destination this summer; Rome is the second. While the dollar has strengthened against the euro in recent weeks, Americans may find bargains few and far between because of earlier booking patterns this year. 
- June 10, 2005 

TBR/TIA Partnership Immediately Benefits Travel Industry 
A delegation of leading travel and tourism industry executives met with senior members of Congress and the Bush Administration to discuss the travel industry's enormous contributions to the U.S. economy, the effects of visa policy on travel to the U.S., and how the travel industry may help America's image abroad. The group was made up of members of the Travel Business Roundtable (TBR) including TIA President and CEO Roger Dow. "These meetings mark a new era of public/private cooperation," Dow commented. The meetings are the first joint actions since the June 28th announcement of the strategic partnership between TBR and TIA. Click here to see who was involved. 
 
TIA and TBR Partner to Ignite Government Action 
Acting on the call for "one industry, one voice," TIA and the Travel Business Roundtable (TBR) have announced they are partnering to advance the interests of the travel industry with policymakers. "This partnership is a great move forward for travel and tourism," said TIA President and CEO Roger Dow. "This new unified approach will give the travel industry more clout on Capitol Hill and at every level of government." Improving America's image abroad and lobbying for action on international travel facilitation issues are among the top priorities for TIA and TBR. The Travel Business Roundtable is an association of CEO-level travel industry executives and is chaired by Jonathan Tisch, chairman of Loews Hotels. To view the press release, click here.

World Expo Features "See America Honeymoon" 
The ultimate wedding gift, an all expenses paid "See America Honeymoon," was presented to a Japanese couple who were married in front of the U.S. Pavilion at the World Expo in Aichi, Japan on June 25th. The newlyweds will spend seven days on a dream vacation to Orlando, Florida. The honeymoon package was provided through a partnership with TIA and the U.S. Pavilion and is sponsored by American Airlines, Marriott International, Hertz, Chelsea Premium Outlets and the Orlando Tourism Office. See America has had a strong presence throughout the World Expo, which runs through September 25th and is expected to draw 15 million visitors. In May, a successful See America seminar and reception was held at the Expo's U.S. Pavilion. (Photo by Mel Lukens, U.S. Pavilion.)

The Power of Travel Celebrated at See America Week UK 
The 2005 See America Week drew hundreds of British press, tour operators and travel agents to London for the largest Visit USA event in the UK. The well-attended Visit USA Travel Media Awards kick started the festivities at Winfield House, the official residence of the U.S. Ambassador. Other events included a Media Marketplace with top British press in attendance, a Gala Dinner and Ball, and the 5th Annual See America Educational Seminar where TIA President & CEO Roger Dow told attendees that the power of travel can energize economies and build understanding. See America Week UK is a partnership between TIA's London Office, the UK Visit USA Association and the U.S. Commercial Service. Sponsors included Marriott International, New Mexico Tourism Department and the Albuquerque Convention & Visitors Bureau. For information on upcoming See America Weeks in Brazil and Japan, click here. (Pictured from left are Stephan Wasylko, Senior Commercial Officer, U.S. Commercial Service; Roger Dow, TIA President & CEO; Matt Bates, Chairman, Visit USA Association UK.)

Latest TIA Report Examines Leisure Travel Decisions 
With more travel choices than ever before, how do travelers decide where to go and what to do? Is price always the main concern when planning trips? TIA's new research report, Leisure Travel Planning: How Consumers Make Travel Decisions, examines the primary influencers behind consumers' travel choices. Based on the decision making and planning patterns of over 5,000 travelers, this report includes information about how they come to their decisions about destinations, transportation modes, brands and accommodations. Study results are also segmented by four popular leisure trip occasions: entertainment, family-centered, outdoor recreation and combined business/pleasure. To learn more about this report or to order a copy click here.

Reinhard to Speak on U.S. Image at ESTO 
Keith Reinhard, president of Business for Diplomatic Action and chairman of DDB Worldwide, will be the keynote speaker during the Tuesday session of the Educational Seminar for Tourism Organizations (ESTO), August 13th-16th in Coeur D'Alene, Idaho. Reinhard's organization, Business for Diplomatic Action, is dedicated to improving America's reputation abroad by mobilizing the private sector to help restore America's declining image. ESTO offers high quality education and information sharing opportunities for destination marketing professionals at all levels. Registration is now open.

Price Not Always King in Leisure Travel Decisions 
The latest study from TIA, Leisure Travel Planning: How Consumers Make Travel Decisions, shows that leisure travelers decide where they want to go and for how long before they even consider the price tag. The study helps travel industry professionals better understand leisure travel decision making among U.S. residents and the role of pricing in a highly competitive environment.  
 
Beaches and Theme Parks: More Than Just Sand, Rides and Fun 
Americans who include beaches and/or theme and amusement parks on their vacations are a lucrative market. These travelers tend to take longer vacations and spend more money per trip than overall travelers, according to new data from TIA's TravelScope® survey. They are also more likely than average to bring their kids along, fly to their destination and rent a car once they arrive. More than 105 million person-trips were made by U.S. households to the beach last year, and Americans made 79 million person-trips to theme and amusement parks in 2004. 
 
Tourism Office Budgets Reflect Positive Outlook 
The year ahead looks optimistic for the 47 state tourism offices that responded to questionnaires for TIA's 2004-2005 Survey of U.S. State and Territory Office Budgets. The collective projected budgets for fiscal year 2004-2005 total $602.7 million, 10.6 percent higher than last year's actual budget. For the first time in years, the average funding allocation for all budget breakdown categories increased from the previous year. Combined marketing and promotion-related budgets increased over 9 percent, advertising and sales promotion budgets increased 5.3 percent, and the combined international advertising and sales promotion budgets increased 27.8 percent.