Yesterday at the Kiwanis Club of Abilene we had a speaker who visited with us regarding the economic prospects of this coming year. That got me to thinking about the prospects of travel in 2018.
When you consider all the dynamics that happened domestically and internationally, it's a wonder that folks would want to travel at all. The terrorist attack in Paris in late 2015, followed by the shootings at a nightclub in Florida, the killing count in Chicago, the terrorists inspired attack in New York City, and the shooting in Las Vegas all make folks want to hunker down at home.
Then the weather happenings in early fall that decimated those beautiful islands in the Caribbean, the fires in the West, and the uncertainty of other weather events, it's a wonder that folks would want to travel anywhere at all.
When you consider all of those events you would think that the travel business really suffered in 2017. Really, just the opposite. The airlines, cruise lines, tour operators, hoteliers are all boasting of exciting record profits at years end.
Why is that? Well, as our presenter pointed out yesterday, over the past year we have had a stock market that has continued to marvel investors, nearing almost 25,000 points on the Dow. Also the recent tax reduction that is in effect this coming year will put some more travel money in people's pockets. The economy has just had the best showing in the past decade,
The latest issue of Travel Weekly gives a preview of the state of travel in 2018, and those contributors to that issue think we are poised to have a banner year. One of the columnists mentioned several reasons for that. One is that domestic and international air travel is on the rise and profits are up because of the increased demand and lower fuel costs.
The other travel factors such as hotels, auto rentals, tour operators all report positive outlooks. The cruise lines, both river and ocean, are anticipating the best year ever. They all are reporting that advanced bookings are better at this point than in the past several years.
Travel agencies are always a little cautious with their predictions, but for the most part, when the suppliers are positive, it looks like a banner year. Interestingly one of the factors that helps this optimism is that booking windows have lengthened. Cruise lines are making their itineraries available earlier has been one factor, another is that because of the weather and other negative factors, folks are wanting to get their plans for 2018 arranged and get to thinking about vacations. I can say that in our agency, as far as advanced bookings are concerned, we are seeing increased interest in 2018 travel. Our Alaska group every July is already nearing capacity, our Holy Land group is maxed out, the Canada/New England trip next October already has a healthy enrollment. So, hopefully that portends a good year for The Travel Factory.
As one of my favorite travel columnists commented, “predictions are currently out of favor”. He continues, “when you consider that the pollsters missed Brexit, the U. S. election, and the growth of Bitcoin, who really knows what the future will bring.” All I know is that the experienced travel agents at The Travel Factory look forward to serving the traveling public in our part of the world, and enjoy helping folks manufacture the vacation of their dreams. Call on us at 4150 Southwest Drive, or by phone at 325-698-1421 or 800-760-4040.