Amid shifting travel trends, TRAVELSAVERS and NEST advisors are taking a measured view of bookings, as economic factors and geopolitical tensions heighten client unpredictability.
This is according to a new survey of advisors affiliated with TRAVELSAVERS and NEST, the findings of which were revealed during last week’s Travel Market conference at the Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress Resort in Orlando. The survey, conducted in April/May when a lot of the geopolitical and economic news was being broadcast, reflects the volatility in the economy, with many advisors who were initially optimistic about 2025 sales now tempering their confidence.
For example, last fall, 79 percent of advisors anticipated higher sales in 2025, compared with 18 percent who predicted sales would stay at 2024 levels. At that time, only 4 percent envisioned a slight decrease. During the spring 2025 survey, 46 percent predicted sales will rise this year, while 22 percent envisioned them staying at 2024 levels. Thirty-two percent foresee their sales decreasing.
That said, Betsy Goldberg, Sr. Corporate Communications Director for TRAVELSAVERS and NEST, told the media who attended the conference that the organization is “optimistic” about future bookings. “Yes, [the travel trends survey shows] a little decreased optimism, but that’s still roughly half of the advisors who think their sales are going to go up.”
Added Kathryn Mazza-Burney, TRAVELSAVERS Chief Sales Officer and NEST President, “Regardless of their financial situation, we know that consumers are still eager to travel this year.”
The survey also asked about summer travel bookings, with advisors noting that their summer travel bookings are up from last year, while 39 percent reported sales are down. One-quarter of the respondents said sales are level compared to summer 2024. “So a little bit trending towards the down, but it’s really very evenly split in terms of what they’re expecting for this summer,” noted Goldberg.
When it comes to the top destinations for summer travel, no shocker Italy took the number one spot, with Alaska coming in second. “Alaska does very, very well with us,” said Goldberg, “so I was not surprised to see it [in the number two spot].” Coming in at number three and four were Dominican Republican and Cancun, respectively, which, Goldberg pointed out, also do well within the network. “And sneaking in at number five, was Greece,” Goldberg pointed out.
With the economy playing a game of ping-pong, the travel trends survey asked advisors in the network what destinations they are recommending that might be a bit more manageable on the pocketbook. Top of the list were destinations that are closer to home, including Alaska and Hawaii. For less expensive destinations in Europe, they are recommending Portugal. And Canada came in as another top summer travel recommendation. “This is the first time Canada has ever shown up in the top five of any of the questions about most popular destinations,” Goldberg told the members of the media. “This really shows a bit of a shift.”
When asked about vacation budgeting among their clients, 35 percent of advisors said they’re looking at less expensive destinations as well as flexibility when it comes to travel timing as that could lead to lower fares. Thirty-four percent said clients are using loyalty points for travel, with 32 percent noting their clients are taking fewer trips, or, as a quarter of advisors said, travelers are simply taking shorter vacations.
Nicole Mazza, Chief Marketing Officer, TRAVELSAVERS and NEST, remains very optimistic, noting during her General Sessions address, that although there was a bit of a slow down, currently business is back. “There were some headlines that disrupted some of our consumer confidence…but I can tell you that as quick as we went into it, as quick as we came out of it. Business is back and business is soaring. I am extremely bullish.”
We’ll have more from the Travel Market Conference, reporting on the network’s growth and the organization’s latest innovations. Plus, Recommend’s July/August issue will feature tips from your peers on trends and more in the marketplace.
