Annual survey results reveal Increase in bookings for travel agents

The Irish Travel Agents Association annual member survey shows that travel agents experienced a level of increased bookings in 2023 compared to previous years, including years before and after the Covid – 19 pandemic.

75% of respondents said that their bookings in 2023 had increased more than 10% in comparison to 2022. 21% said bookings had increased by less than 10% and 4% said booking levels remained the same. No agent said bookings had decreased.

Comparing 2023 to 2019, 46% of agents said that bookings had increased more than 10%. 21% said bookings increased by less than 10% and 11% said booking levels remained the same. 11% said booking levels decreased by less than 10% and 11% said bookings decreased by more than 10%.

78% of agents experienced an increased turnover of more than 10% in 2023 compared to 2022. 54% of agents experienced an increased turnover of more than 10% in 2023 compared to 2019.

44% of agents attributed 40-60% of business to repeat customers and a further 37% attributed 60-80% of business to repeat customers.

The top three most popular countries for Irish holiday makers in 2023 were Spain, Portugal and USA.

For corporate bookings, 50% of agents experienced an increase of more than 10% in 2023 compared to 2022. 29% of agents experienced an increase of corporate bookings in comparison to 2019 and another 29% experienced the same level of bookings.

Clare Dunne, CEO of the Irish Travel Agents Association commented, “We are delighted to see our members succeeding and we are very happy to see that travel is well and truly back.”