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Negative Perceptions Regarding Affordability Offset Gains in TIA�s Traveler Sentiment Index for Second Quarter 2002 |
| Washington, DC - April 30, 2002 - TIA�s quarterly
Traveler Sentiment Index remains relatively flat in second quarter 2002
and now stands at 103.8. Consumers are becoming more positive about their
interest in taking leisure trips, as well as about their ability to travel
based on their free time and finances. Yet, negative perceptions regarding
the affordability of leisure travel offset these gains, causing little
change in the index. In fact, the �affordability� index shows a drop of
17 percent from last quarter.
Among all five index components, consumer perceptions of the ability to take pleasure trips considering demands on their time shows the largest gain from last quarter, with an index of 108.2 (up 9.3%). General consumer interest in taking pleasure trips and consumer perceptions of the ability to take pleasure trips based on personal finances are up somewhat over last quarter with indices of 95.7 (+4%) and 95.2 (+3.1%), respectively. The index for consumer perceptions of service quality�at 104.4�is up only slightly. While the �affordability� index (124.4) declined this quarter, it is still above levels seen in 2000 and the first three quarters of 2001. Generation X and Y travelers are the most optimistic group this quarter, with their overall sentiment index up 9 percent to 110 over first quarter 2002. On the other hand, Baby Boomer and Mature travelers show decreases over last quarter, with their overall sentiment indices now at 105.1 and 98.7, respectively. Among Generation X and Y travelers, the �ability/time� index surged 45.5 percent over last quarter and is at its highest point to-date. The �affordability� index (-10.9%) shows the only decrease for these younger travelers. Baby Boomer travelers show a large decline in their �affordability� index (-18.8%) over last quarter. However, at 140.7, it is still higher than it was in 2000 and the first three quarters of 2001. Among Mature travelers, the �interest� index shows the largest increase (6.3%) from first quarter 2002, while the �affordability� index shows the largest decrease (-25.6%). 
The South shows a decrease of 5.8 percent for its overall index, falling to 101.4 over first quarter 2002. TIA�s quarterly Traveler Sentiment Index is conducted
four times per year and is a running gauge of consumers' interest in leisure
travel and their perceived ability to travel. The study consists of five
criteria: interest, time, finances, affordability, and service quality.
It�s based on quarterly interviews with 1,000 U.S. adults who have taken
at least one trip in the past year. Each criterion is measured individually
and then combined to create an overall score. The baseline year for the
Index is the year 2000.
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Cathy Keefe Manager, Media Relations Travel Industry Association of America phone: 202.408.8422 [email protected] www.tia.org |