Research Papers

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• 2008
• 2007

• September 8, 2008 — 2008 Travel Agent Usage and Fee Sensitivity Study
  ASTA has commissioned a study with the travel industry’s leading consumer research firm, D.K. Shifflet & Associates (DKS&A), to obtain the industry’s first look at how consumers perceive and value travel agency service fees.
  
  
• August 22, 2008 — 2007 Service Fees Report
  The decreasing availability of air commission revenue forced agencies to begin charging service fees for air tickets to cover their costs and ensure profitability. Over time, agencies have expanded their service fees in terms of the amounts charged and the number of services for which they charge professional fees. This expansion of service fees has spawned a new “consulting” business model...
  
  
• June 24, 2008 — 2008 Supplier Travel Agent Relationship Marketing Report
  ASTA conducted its annual Supplier – Travel Agent Relationship Marketing survey to assist travel agencies and suppliers in understanding and benchmarking typical agency-supplier business arrangements. This 18-page report was conducted in March 2008 using the ASTA Research Family.
  
  
• May 9, 2008 — 2007 Labor & Compensation Report
  ASTA conducted this labor and compensation study to assist travel agencies in benchmarking their compensation, benefits and hiring practices. This information can be used to benchmark your own compensation and benefits, and may help you improve your hiring practices.
  
  
• April 29, 2008 — ASTA Green Guide for Supplier Members
  The ASTA Green Guide for Supplier Members provides educational material on understanding and marketing green travel to travel agents and agencies. The report highlights best "green" practices and marketing tips as well as information on becoming an official ASTA Green Member.
  
  
• April 29, 2008 — ASTA Green Guide for Travel Agent Members
  The ASTA Green Guide for Travel Agent Members provides educational material on understanding and marketing green travel. The report highlights best "green" practices and marketing tips as well as providing information on becoming an official ASTA Green Member.
  
  
• March 13, 2008 — 2007 Financial Benchmarking Report
  ASTA conducted its second annual financial study to assist travel agencies in benchmarking their financial performance. The purpose of the survey is to provide data to travel agencies that can be used to pinpoint areas of excellence and areas where improvements are needed.
  
  
• February 26, 2008 — 2008 ASTA Member Profile
  This report provides a detailed overview of the business qualities of ASTA members. It includes such information as opening hours, agency location, type of travel sold, and other items.
  
  
• January 21, 2008 — 12th Annual Gay & Lesbian Tourism Study – Abstract Exclusive for ASTA Members
  ASTA partnered with CMI to assure their 12th Annual Gay & Lesbian Tourism Study would include insights that would be useful to ASTA’s membership in serving the LGBT community. The resulting study is very useful for ASTA members interested in better understanding their opportunities in the gay and lesbian market. CMI has provided an abstract for ASTA Members.
  
  
• January 10, 2008 — 2007 ASTA GDS Report
  ASTA conducted the Global Distribution System (GDS) survey in July 2007. The survey asked ASTA’s Research Family a wide range of questions about their GDS programs, contracts, fees, etc. The 24-page report was compiled to better understand travel agency distribution trends related to GDS usage and contract terms. The report includes benchmarking data and trends on GDS usage, contract lengths, contract negotiations, incentives, penalties and evaluation of GDS system used.
  
  

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• November 19, 2007 — 2007 Technology & Web Usage Report
  ASTA conducted this annual study to better understand changes in technology and web usage by travel agents. Survey data was collected through the 2007 ASTA Research Family in June 2007. This 23-page report covers issues ranging to use of technology, internet usage for research, internet booking patterns, and Web site design and usage.
  
  
• November 6, 2007 — 2007 NACTA Independent Agents Report
  The Independent Agents report profiles Independent Agents and provides data on their experience in the travel industry, how they book travel, how they split commissions if they have a host agency, changes in their overhead costs, what their revenue share across travel segments, and much more. The report gives you the information you need to better understand the Independent Agent's business operations and their place in the travel market.
  
  
• September 7, 2007 — 2007 Supplier Travel Agent Relationship Marketing Report
  ASTA conducted its annual Supplier – Travel Agent Relationship Marketing survey to assist travel agencies and suppliers in understanding and benchmarking typical agency-supplier business arrangements. This 19-page report was conducted in April 2007 using the ASTA Research Family. This report includes survey data on preferred supplier relationships, booking channels used, incentives and the usefulness of supplier education programs. This report is available as a PDF and will be delivered by email.
  
  
• July 20, 2007 — Why Students Do Not Choose Travel As A Career
  The ASTA Foundation funded a research study by The State University of New York at Morrisville. The report provides insights as to why students do not choose travel as a career.
  
  
• June 20, 2007 — 2006 Service Fee Report
  ASTA conducted the Service Fee survey to better understand changes in service fees. This 21-page report was conducted in November 2006 using the ASTA Research Family. This report includes survey data on average service fees by travel type, agency business mix, agent compensation methods, service fee policies, service fee collections and service fee revenue. This report is available as a PDF and will be delivered by email.
  
  
• March 1, 2007 — 2006 Supplier - Travel Agent Relationship Marketing Report
  ASTA conducted its first annual Supplier – Travel Agent Relationship Marketing survey to assist travel agencies and suppliers in understanding and benchmarking typical agency-supplier business arrangements. This 20-page report was conducted in September 2006 using the ASTA Research Family. This report includes survey data on preferred supplier relationships, booking channels used, incentives and the usefulness of supplier education programs.
  
  
• March 1, 2007 — 2006 Technology and Web Usage Report
  This 26-page report was compiled to help agencies evaluate their business practices in regards to technology, the internet and Web sites. It includes benchmarking data on Internet sites, online booking rates by travel segment, website practices (designing, maintenance, updating), website features, and website generated business. Trends in usage are also covered.
  
  
• February 1, 2007 — 2006 ASTA GDS Report
  This popular report delivers provides the most up-to-date information on GDS system usage by travel agents. The report looks at market share, costs, contracts, incentives, penalties, and more.
  
  
• February 1, 2007 — 2006 Financial Benchmarking Report
  This survey found that agencies have changed their business model by shifting revenue sources and decreasing operational expenses. In analyzing reported revenue data, you can see the shift to service fees for some products as commission income has decreased.