PHOTO: Alaska has been selling briskly, according to several consortia executives. (Courtesy of Thinkstock)
The 2015 Europe season may not have shaped up as well as some agents would have liked, that doesn't mean that consumers are staying home.
Alaska and South America are but two of a considerable number of destinations that are selling briskly this spring, summer and fall, said agency consortia executives - and at high yields.
"For travelers who didn't opt for Europe this spring, summer and fall, other areas did shine," said John Lovell, president of Vaction.com. "We have seen the exotic products do well, Alaska has done well on the cruise side and the Caribbean is seeing strong results this year. In general travel yields are up, which is great for the entire industry."
The travel picture is also bright at Signature Travel Network. "Our travel business is ahead of where it was pre-recession and 2016 looks outstanding thus far in terms of future booked business," said Ignacio Maza, Signature's executive vice president. "Yields are strengthening and we are selling more upper premium and luxury products than ever before."
While Maza noted that Signature agents were reporting positive results for the 2015 Europe season, he added that a variety of other destinations were also selling briskly. "Other bright spots and strong sellers worldwide include Southern Africa, which is coming back strong after the downturn earlier this year, as well South America, Mexico, Central America, South Pacific and a number of emerging destinations such as Myanmar," he said.
TRAVELSAVERS said it is also seeing strong yields this year. "Our agencies do a great job at offering their clients value adds and upselling them," said Nicole Mazza, chief marketing officer at TRAVELSAVERS, adding that South America and Asia are both selling well in 2015.
MAST Travel Network agencies, meanwhile, are reporting strong Alaska sales, said John Warner, the network's president and CEO. "In our market, it seems that when Europe is down, Alaska is up. And the reverse happens as well."
Other strong sellers this year include Hawaii and Central and South America, he said.
While Europe could have performed better this year for some agents, it was nonetheless nothing to sneeze at. "Europe continues to be a highly sought-after vacation destination and we believe 2016 will be a positive and prosperous year," said Lovell.
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