The number of people who say they’ve used a travel agent to book a trip has rebounded slightly in recent years, and increased interest from millennials in

Source: Millennials Are More Likely to Use Travel Agents Than Any Other U.S. Demographic – Skift

Travel Agents on the Rise

It is clearly a good sign for  agents, that “Millennials Use Travel Agents More Than Other Traveller” and I believe that means your regular walk in travel agent and not the Booking.com or Expedia variety we call OTAs.

Although the reports says it helps if the agent has a strong online presence, it’s not altogether clear who they are talking about and they say:

“While ASTA wouldn’t break out what kind of travel agents were being used the most, Kerby conceded that the travel agent space at large still faces an identity crisis.”

It is also noteworthy that Millennials “Usually search online or on social media [when looking for a travel agent]”. It definitely help if the agent have a strong online presence so that they are come up in the search made by millennials.

Key Finding of the ASTA Survey

Here are some interesting facts from the study

1. 22 percent of Americans from households earning more than $50,000 booked travel through a travel agent, an increase from 14 percent just three years ago
2. Millennials are more likely to use an agent than any demographic group of older travelers
3. 30%  of millennials have used a travel agent in the last 12 months. They’re also most likely to recommend agents to a friend.
4. 45 % of millennials said they’re likely to recommend a travel agent to a friend or family member.
5. 66% said using an agent makes their trip better
6. Travellers who use travel agents generally spend than those who book trips themselves.

ASTA’s survey conducted by TNS Global, included 14,000 U.S. households with household income above $50,000 US.

Related: Mellenials Strike a Blow to OTAs