Adventure Travel Gains in USTOA Poll

NEW YORK, Jan. 15 /PRNewswire/ -- Americans are increasingly looking for
action on vacation, according to a new informal poll of leading tour
operators. Nearly two out of three tour operators responding to a recent
member survey conducted by the US Tour Operators Association said that
adventure travel is on the rise.
Results were mixed when it comes to "slow travel" -- stay put vacations or
tours taking more time to cover an area or visiting an area more in depth.
More than 50% of respondents cited year over year growth; however another 36%
reported no growth in this area.
Custom arrangements growing
The increased interest in active vacations was reflected in the types of
packaged vacations being booked. FIT's -- or independent arrangements where
a tour operator custom designs separate elements into an individual package --
scored the greatest gain. More than 80% of respondents said this category
has experienced growth in 2007 compared to 2006.
Independent tours came in second:( 73% of respondents reporting gain)
followed by escorted tours (60% reporting year over year growth). In what
may reflect a slight maturing of the market, while more than 50% reported
growth in independent packages (usually prepackaged hotel and other
arrangements), a full third said there had been no change in this category.
"Our previous research indicated that baby boomers are clearly fueling the
growth in active vacations," states Bob Whitley, USTOA president. "Today
Americans -- especially the baby boomer generation -- are no longer content to
simply sightsee; they want to 'site do,' and experience a destination.
"As Americans have grown more sophisticated and seen more of the world
they are increasingly turning to tour operators to help them plan their own
tailored and individual travel experiences. Because tour operators have
intimate knowledge of the areas they serve they can arrange special
experiences that travelers might have difficulty finding on their own, even
through the internet. There is a USTOA tour operator who can put together
almost any arrangements for you anywhere in the world," says Whitley.
The USTOA website -- www.USTOA.com or www.USTOA.travel -- contains a drop-
down list of member companies by type of activity, from heli-hiking to whale
watching. For more information by phone contact one 800- go- USTOA (468-7862).

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Bob Whitley
http://profnet.prnewswire.com/Subscriber/ExpertProfile.aspx?ei=56458

SOURCE USTOA

Linda Kundell for USTOA, +1-212-877-2798