on my mind ❖
On My Mind jeff gayduk
❖ jeff gayduk
Survey Says...
Vol. 21, No. 4 August 2011 Editorial & Advertising Office
621 Plainfield Road, Suite 406 Willowbrook, IL 60527 P 630.794.0696 • F 630.794.0652 info@ptmgroups.com
Publisher – Jeffrey Gayduk jeff@ptmgroups.com
Managing Editor – Randy Mink
randy@ptmgroups.com
Senior Editor – John Kloster john@ptmgroups.com
I’M NO RICHARD DAWSON, but I do have the results from Leisure Group Travel’s 2011 Group Intentions Survey. We asked readers a wide range of questions regarding your business, planning and customers. Thanks to everyone who participated in this year’s study. Your input will help shape our editorial calendar for years to come. The survey questions were: How is 2011 Business Compared to Last Year? Much better 20%; little better 41%; little worse 29%; much worse 10%. How Many Trips Do You Plan Each Year? Averages were: 14 day trips; 6 two-tofour night; 2 five-to-seven night; 1 eight + night; 2 cruises. Where in the U.S. Are Your Groups Traveling? Northeast 55%; South 54%; West 46%; Midwest 44%. Percentage of Groups That Travel to the Following: Europe 38%; Canada 34%; Central/ South America 17%; South Pacific 11%; Asia 9%; Africa 5%. What Types of Groups Do You Plan Travel For? Seniors 97%; religious 26%; students 15%; girlfriends 15%; reunions 15%; corporate 9%; other 4%. What Activities Do You Include On Trips? Theater 84%; shopping 60%; sightseeing cruises 58%; scenic rail 48%; gambling 45%; hands-on experiences 35%; adventure/outdoor 27%.
How Do You Plan Your Tours? Plan my own 79%; use a tour operator 64%; use a receptive operator 29%. What Industry Websites Do You Use When Planning Trips? LeisureGroupTravel.com 56%; GroupTravelDirectory.com 53%; Grouptour.com 26%; Grouptravelleader.com 16%; Busrates.com 12%; Groupconnect.com 9%. Average Lead Time When Booking Trips: 12+ months 13%; 7-12 months 47%; 6 months or less 40%. Type of Travel Your Group Prefers: Moderate 52%; economy 34%; deluxe 14%. CAST YOUR VOTE IN OUR 9TH ANNUAL READER’S CHOICE AWARDS Vote for your RE ADER’S favorite travel ★ ICE C H★ AWA R DS companies and destinations in our CAST YOUR VOTE BY 9th annual Reader’s SEPTEMBER 15! Choice Awards poll. There are two ways to vote – either return this month’s Instant Infosm card, or visit LeisureGroupTravel.com and click on the Reader’s Choice icon @ the top of the page. Cast your vote by September 15! Happy Traveling,
Senior Editor – Elana Andersen elana@ptmgroups.com
Senior Editor – Dave Bodle dave@ptmgroups.com
Senior Editor – Carol Smith carols.csmith@gmail.com
Director, Design & Production – Robert Wyszkowski rob@ptmgroups.com
Director of Sales
Theresa O’Rourke P 630.794.0696 • F 630.794.0652 theresa@ptmgroups.com
Regional Sales Managers Illinois – Jim McCurdy
P 630.794.0696 • F 630.794.0652 jim@ptmgroups.com
Northeast & Eastern Midwest/Canada – Amy Janssens P 630.294.0318 • F 630.794.0652 amy@ptmgroups.com
Mid Atlantic – Ellen Klesta
P 630.794.0696 • F 630.794.0652 ellen@ptmgroups.com
Southeast/West Coast – Cheryl Rash
P 563.613.3068 • F 815.225.5274 cheryl@ptmgroups.com
Southern – Dolores Ridout P/F 281.762.9546 dolores@ptmgroups.com Florida & Caribbean – Prof Inc. P 813.286.8299 • F 813.287.0651 jimg@ptmgroups.com The publisher accepts unsolicited editorial matter, as well as advertising, but assumes no responsibility for statements made by advertisers or contributors. Every effort is made to ensure the accuracy of the information published, but the publisher makes no warranty that listings are free of error. The publisher is not responsible for the return of unsolicited photos, slides or manuscripts.
Leisure Group Travel (ISSN-1531-1406) is published bi-monthly by Premier Tourism Marketing, Inc. 621 Plainfield Road, Suite 406, Willowbrook, IL 60527. The magazine is distributed free of charge to qualified tour operators, travel agents, group leaders, bank travel clubs and other travel organizations. Other travel-related suppliers may subscribe at the reduced rate of $12.00 per year. The regular subscription price for all others is $18.00 per year. Single copies are $4.95 each.
Send Address Change to:
Premier Tourism Marketing, Inc. P.O. Box 609, Palos Heights, IL 60463
Jeff Gayduk, Publisher jeff@ptmgroups.com
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All rights reserved. Materials may not be reproduced in any form without written permission of the publisher. 4 August 2011
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