CheapOair’s Booking Data Shows Florida and Mexico Lead Tropical Getaway Destinations for the 2017 Winter Season

 

Only a few weeks into winter, CheapOair®, a leading flights-focused hybrid travel agency, is already seeing patterns of travelers heading to warmer climates. The agency announced today the most popular domestic and international destinations for people trying to escape the cold during the early months of 2017.

Florida was the most booked state with five cities ranking in the top 10 domestic destinations, including Orlando, Ft. Lauderdale, Fort Meyers, Tampa, and Miami. Average ticket prices these cities were all under $300. Additionally, prices to these cities were, on average, 4.34% lower compared to the same period in 2016.

While most cities on both the international and domestic lists are popular for their tropical climates, Denver, Colorado, a popular winter destination with world-class skiing and snowboarding, ranked 10^th on the list of domestic destinations.Mexico led the international list with Cancún, Mexico City, Puerto Vallarta, and San José del Cabo in the top 10 international destinations. The average ticket price to these cities was $451.61, 9% lower than the same period in 2016.

CheapOair’s data also found that January was the most popular month for travel to the highlighted destinations as passenger numbers taper off as spring approaches.

For more information, please visit www.CheapOair.com, www.cheapoair.com/mobile, or our social media pages, www.Facebook.com/CheapOair and www.twitter.com/cheapoair.

*To create the list, CheapOair analyzed bookings made from October 1, 2016 – January 4, 2017 from gateways in cold weather states. Cold weather states included in the query include: Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Dakota, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, West Virginia, and Wisconsin.

 

About CheapOair

CheapOair is a next generation concierge travel agency (online/traditional) that enables consumers to book travel online, on its award winning mobile app, by phone or live chat. CheapOair bridges the gap between an online and traditional travel agency with certified agents available to help find deals and offers to destinations worldwide on over 450 airlines, 150,000 hotels, and many car rental companies worldwide. Partner airlines benefit from access to CheapOair’s broad customer base that books high yield international travel and add-on ancillaries. Follow CheapOair on Facebook and Twitter to learn how to travel the world for less or go to www.cheapoair.com or call 1-646-738-4820).

Booking Data Shows Mexico, Western Europe and Southeast Asia are hot destinations for the upcoming year

CheapOair®, a leading flights-focused hybrid travel agency, today announced its list of ten international destinations on the rise in 2017. While the top four destinations remained the same from 2016 (Manila, Philippines; Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam; Cancun, Mexico; Bangkok, Thailand), many destinations are expected to see a significant increase in visitors in 2017. Additionally, CheapOair’s data showed the average ticket price for international travel has decreased by 8% compared to the previous year.

To create the list, CheapOair compared the number of passengers who booked 2016 travel during the July through November 2015 period to the number of passengers who booked 2017 travel during the same time period in 2016. CheapOair compared passenger numbers to over 1,200 international gateways.

 

CheapOair’s International Destinations on the Rise in 2017

City	Rank for 2017 travel	Rank for 2016 travel	Position Change
Cebu, Philippines	#5	#11	+6
Guadalajara, Mexico	#8	#20	+12
Mexico City, Mexico	#11	#18	+7
London, England	#17	#35	+18
Barcelona, Spain	#23	#39	+16
Madrid, Spain	#31	#71	+40
Phnom Penh, Cambodia	#34	#68	+34
Amsterdam, Netherlands	#40	#95	+55
Rome, Italy	#46	#83	+37
Kathmandu, Nepal	#56	#118	+62

Mexico – While Cancun, Puerto Vallarta, and San Jose de Cabo still hold top spots on the list as #2, #6 and #7, respectively, Guadalajara and Mexico City both broke into the top 15. This movement indicates that Mexico is an emerging destination, and not just for their beaches. Plus, the current exchange rate between the U.S. Dollar and Mexican Peso makes travel to Mexico a very affordable travel option for 2017.

Mexico City, the nation’s capital and 5^th largest city in the world, has become a global hotspot known for its innovative cuisine, progressive art scene, and over 150 museums preserving Mexico’s rich history. If Mexico City sounds a little daunting, Guadalajara is a great alternative. Undergoing a cultural renaissance, Guadalajara offers traditional Mexican culture alongside a burgeoning culinary scene and a mellow artistic ambiance.

Western Europe – The top of the list in 2016 was dominated by South and Central America and the Caribbean. However, in 2017, there is a resurgence of Western European destinations including London, Barcelona, Madrid, Amsterdam, and Rome. Recent financial analysis shows that the Euro is at its lowest compared to the dollar since 2003 and it’s possible they may reach parity in 2017. This is great news for American travelers that have been holding off on a trip to EU countries such as Spain, the Netherlands, or Italy. European vacations in 2017 could be cheaper than they’ve been in over 14 years.

Southeast Asia – Thailand and Vietnam have become popular destinations in recent years, but Cambodia is now beginning to make a name for itself. Phnom Penh jumped 34 spots to position #34 on the list. Visitors to Cambodia can expect a vast range of attractions including traditional Khmer culture and architecture dating back to the early 9^th century, idyllic beaches on the southwest coast and museums that give a firsthand look at the country under the brutal Khmer Rouge regime from 1968-1999.

Cebu, Philippines broke into the top 5 to compliment Manila holding strong in first place. The Philippines have long been treasured as a beach destination, but the nation comprised of over 7,000 islands offers much more than just sand and surf. Though certain areas of the Philippines can be difficult to reach, the country also offers thick forests, volcanoes, waterfalls, cold and hot springs, excellent diving and more.

Nepal – Despite facing a devastating earthquake in 2015 which halted tourism to the region, Nepal is rebuilding and ready to welcome visitors once again. Ranked #118 in 2016, Kathmandu has regained 62 positions and is now ranked #56. Aside from being a launch pad for Himalayan excursions, Kathmandu offers travelers nearly 2,000 years of history including ancient Buddhist and Hindu temples.

For more information, please visit www.CheapOair.com, www.cheapoair.com/mobile, or our social media pages, www.Facebook.com/CheapOair and www.twitter.com/cheapoair.

 

About CheapOair

CheapOair is a next generation concierge travel agency (online/traditional) that enables consumers to book travel online, on its award winning mobile app, by phone or live chat. CheapOair bridges the gap between an online and traditional travel agency with certified agents available to help find deals and offers to destinations worldwide on over 450 airlines, 150,000 hotels, and many car rental companies worldwide. Partner airlines benefit from access to CheapOair’s broad customer base that books high yield international travel and add-on ancillaries. Follow CheapOair on Facebook and Twitter to learn how to travel the world for less or go to www.cheapoair.com or call 1-646-738-4820.

 

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Leading Online Travel Agency predicts Millennials will have large impact on 2017 travel trends

 

CheapOair, a leading flights-focused hybrid travel agency, has announced its travel trend predictions for the upcoming year.  By analyzing year-over-year data, and taking factors into consideration such as the economy, demographics of travelers, current events, airline trends and more, CheapOair’s data team is anticipating some fascinating developments for 2017.

 

2017 Travel Trends include:

 

Millennial Travelers: Millennials are transforming the travel space as we know it. Over 80% of Millennials consider online travel reviews important and will shop multiple travel sites before making a purchase. Additionally, 76% seek out the help of friends and family through social media when planning their next getaway. When booking airfare, hotels, and rental cars, Millennials are using their phones or tablets nearly 50% of the time [1]. Consistent with their reliance on social media for planning trips, Millennials post to social media sites about their travel experience with nearly 73% posting at least once a day [2].

 

Business Travel:  In the next 4 years, Millennials will make up more than 50% of global workforce, and they are already the largest segment of business travelers [3].  According to the Global Business Travel Association, on average, business travelers took 6.8 trips last year, a number which is expected to increase to 7.4 next year. In 2016, Millennials were already reportedly taking 7.4 trips compared to 6.4 for Gen Xers and 6.3 for Boomers [4].

 

‘Bleisure’ Travel:  Business people traveling for work who tack on additional leisure travel days are now being labeled as ‘bleisure’ travelers.  Often, a family member or significant other come will along on these business trips so that after the ‘business’ portion of the trip is completed, they can spend a day or two vacationing. While the average age of business travelers is from mid-40s to mid-50s, the biggest increase in ‘bleisure’ travel is due to travelers aged mid-20s to mid-30s. According to a recent survey conducted by Hipmunk, 55% of Millennials said they would extend a business trip into a leisure trip compared to 28% for business travelers aged 35-54 [5].

 

Cuba: U.S. travelers to Cuba rose by 80% during the first 6 months of 2016 [6]. By 2017, ten airlines including Alaska Airlines, American Airlines, Delta, JetBlue, Frontier, Silver Airways, Spirit, Southwest, Sun Country, and United will begin regular daily and/or weekly service to 10 Cuban cities.  The island-nation has the potential to see additional growth in 2017, as long as the political relationship between the U.S. and Cuba remains stable.

 

Air Pricing Forecasts: The cost of airline fuel continues to remain flat, which should help keep airline tickets near record-low prices in 2017. According to the Global Business Travel Association, airfare is expected to increase by an estimated 2.5%, but fares may actually decrease in certain regions.  In recent years, Asia and LATAM (Latin America/Mexico) saw a nearly double-digit increase in capacity, which significantly drove down pricing. This has caused the expected average ticket cost for Asia and LATAM to decrease by 1.1% and 1.9% respectively [7].

 

Ancillary Revenues and Fees: According to a study conducted by IdeaWorksCompany, it is estimated that ancillary fees contributed to 9.1% of airline revenue in 2016, which has nearly doubled in the past six years. In 2017, ancillary products will continue to have an increasing impact, as they could contribute to over 10% of total airline revenue by the end of 2017. Originally, it was low-cost carriers such as Spirit Airlines that capitalized on this model, but it is expected that more airlines and travel companies will be implementing this in the near future [8].

 

Expected Overall Growth: The United States will continue to be the largest single market for domestic passengers, followed by China, which is firmly established in second place. The U.S. is also expected to reclaim the top spot from Germany for contributing the most international passengers [9].

 

By consistently monitoring travel trends, CheapOair’s mission is to educate and aid consumers and travel professionals in both planning their travel accommodations and staying current on the most popular destinations. With a portfolio of products, including rate and schedule information from 450 global airlines, CheapOair is a great way to book the travel that’s right for you.

 

For more information, please visit www.cheapoair.com, www.cheapoair.com/mobile, or our social media pages, facebook.com/cheapoair and twitter.com/cheapoair.

 

About CheapOair

CheapOair is a next generation concierge travel agency (online/traditional) that enables consumers to book travel online, on its award-winning mobile app, by phone or live chat. CheapOair bridges the gap between an online and traditional travel agency with certified agents available to help find deals and offers to destinations worldwide on over 450 airlines, 150,000 hotels, and many car rental companies worldwide. Partner airlines benefit from access to CheapOair’s broad customer base that books high yield international travel and add-on ancillaries. Follow CheapOair on Facebook and Twitter to learn how to travel the world for less or go to www.cheapoair.com or call 1-646-738-4820).

 

Sources:

[1] http://www.internetmarketinginc.com/blog/millennial-travel-trends

[2] http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20140610006008/en/Millennials-Indulge-Luxury-Hotel-Services-Chase-Marriott

[3] https://www.amexglobalbusinesstravel.com/content/millennial-business-travel-trends

[4] https://skift.com/2016/10/27/millennials-are-now-the-most-frequent-business-travelers/

[5] https://www.hipmunk.com/tailwind/generation-gap-what-your-age-says-about-how-you-travel-2/

[6] https://skift.com/2016/11/15/cubas-tourism-sector-sees-double-digit-growth-so-far-in-2016-thanks-to-the-u-s/

[7] http://www.gbta.org/foundation/pressreleases/Pages/rls_071416.aspx

[8] http://www.ideaworkscompany.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/Press-Release-115-Global-Estimate.pdf

[9] http://www.iata.org/pressroom/pr/Pages/2013-12-10-01.aspx

Next-generation travel agency uses Amadeus technology to integrate ancillary seat selection into booking process for CheapOair and OneTravel

Fareportal, a high-tech, high-touch travel company powering the next generation of travel, and Amadeus, a leading provider of advanced technology solutions for the global travel industry, announced today that customers booking through CheapOair or OneTravel now have the ability to book preferred seating on select airline partners through Amadeus’ global distribution system.

The new technology allows travelers booking flights on CheapOair and OneTravel to see a real-time view of the available seats along with any additional costs associated with preferred seating. Due to Fareportal’s history of successfully selling ancillary products, Fareportal was selected by Amadeus as a partner to pilot test this new functionality on American Airlines flights.

“We are proud to offer our customers the option to purchase added value products on our sites,” said Sam S. Jain, CEO of Fareportal. “Working with Amadeus to make its ancillary products available for sale on CheapOair and OneTravel emphasizes our commitment to providing customers with more choices when booking their trip.”

The system integration allows customers to select paid seats through the interactive seat map before checkout for a seamless booking process and an enhanced customer experience. And although this back-end update will go unnoticed by consumers during the booking process, behind-the-scenes connectivity based on the latest NDC standards will help ensure more user satisfaction.

“At Amadeus, we are focused on providing technology and global travel content that enables our industry partners to offer consumers clear and convenient options so they can book their desired travel experience.  The broader the choice, the better it is for the entire travel ecosystem,” said Scott Gutz, Chief Executive Officer, Amadeus North America.

Fareportal is dedicated to continually improving technology as well as providing added value for customers. Fareportal is excited to continue to lead innovation in the ancillary product category to offer customers more choices and more flexibility.

 

About Fareportal

Fareportal is a high-tech, high-touch Travel Company that powers the next generation travel concierge service. Utilizing its innovative technology and company owned and operated global contact center, Fareportal has built strong industry partnerships providing access to over 450 airlines, 150,000 hotels, and hundreds of car rental companies that serve millions of customers every year. With a portfolio of consumer travel brands, including CheapOair and OneTravel, Fareportal’s airline partners can benefit from access to a broad customer base that books high-yield international travel and add-on ancillaries.

 

About Amadeus

Amadeus provides the technology which keeps the travel sector moving – from initial search to making a booking, from pricing to ticketing, from managing reservations to managing check-in and departure processes. Our products and solutions help to improve the business performance of our customers: travel agencies, corporations, airlines, ground handlers, hotels, railways, car rental companies, airports, cruise lines and ferry operators. At the heart of our approach is innovation. Amadeus was recognized in 2014 and 2015 as the leading European investor in R&D for the travel and tourism sector by the EU Industrial R&D Investment Scoreboard, which ranks European companies by total investment in R&D. Over €4 billion have been invested in R&D since 2004. It is this strong commitment that we believe will enable us to continue working with our customers and partners to shape the future of travel.

Amadeus works in more than 190 markets with a worldwide team of more than 14,000 people. For the year ended December 31, 2015, the company reported revenues of €3,913.0 million and EBITDA of €1,465.0 million. Amadeus is listed on the Spanish Stock Exchange and forms part of the IBEX 35 Index.