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 January
and February sales were brisk, exceeding last year's results
for all destinations (except for Guam and Saipan). Total
for all destinations: 124.2% (January), 112.4% (February)
[Both in comparison to last year's actual results.]
From
January to March, America and Canada surpassed the previous
year's single month results for the first time since 9.11
(JATA sponsored travel survey). 219.9% (January), 126.5%
(February), 105.2% (March) [As compared to last year's actual
results.]
Anxiety
over the situation in Iraq and SARS caused many to refrain
from making travel plans, forcing reservations from April
to June down to below the yearly norm. Total for all destinations:
63.1% (April), 50.1% (May), 63.4% (June) [As compared to
last year's actual results.]
(Average based on the actual results and reservation status
of participants at five travel agencies.)
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To assess prevailing trends in the travel market,
the Japan Association of Travel Agents (JATA) periodically
conducts the following two surveys.
- JATA Survey on Travel Market Trends
In order to grasp prevailing and future (for the
following three months) trends in the travel market,
JATA carries out a quarterly survey among member
companies covering such areas as types of travel,
destinations (both domestic and overseas) and overall
demand. The survey results are processed in the
form of a diffusion index (DI). (Available separately.)
- Overseas Supporting Travel Survey
In order to investigate trends in the number of
travelers by overseas destination, JATA compares
actual results and reservation status of overseas
package tours provided by the five agencies on a
year-on-year basis.
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The
latest Overseas Supporting Travel Survey was carried out
in early April 2003, and covered the actual results for
the period from January to March 2003, and the status of
reservations from April to June.
The
actual results for January to March were very brisk, with
the January and February results exceeding the previous
year for all destinations, with the exception of Guam and
Saipan, which had suffered declines due to a typhoon in
Guam last December. Especially encouraging and worthy of
note was the fact that for the first time since 9.11, America
and Canada surpassed the previous year's results. (JATA
sponsored overseas travel survey)
Turning
to the status of reservations for the period from April
to June, SARS and the situation in Iraq coupled with the
slumping economy and paucity of consecutive holidays during
Golden Week have caused many to put off making reservations
to much later than usual. Most conspicuous was the drop
in travel to Asia and China, which had been riding a wave
of popularity. Any rise in demand will depend on future
developments in Iraq and with SARS.
As
for new products being planned for April and after, in response
to strong demand, many specific purpose tours, such as major-league
baseball game tours are being prepared, as well as short
3-5 day holiday courses to coincide with few number of consecutive
holidays during Golden Week.
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