Europe rated Kiwis’ preferred travel destination

Europe is our preferred travel destination, followed by Asia and Australia according to Canstar Blue’s Travel Agents Customer Satisfaction Survey. The annual survey, found helloworld Travel to be New Zealanders’ favourite travel agent, receiving full marks from customers in all five of the metrics measured.

The survey also found that, despite the increasing online options available for researching and booking travel, many of us still use the services of a travel agent with 37 percent of those surveyed using a travel agent in the last two years. Nearly half (46 percent) of respondents visit travel agents to get inspiration or ideas, while 46 percent also felt they can get a better price through an agent. Travel agents also make us more confident travellers, with 38 percent of those using agents feeling safer doing so.

Unsurprisingly, overseas travel is highly valued by most of us, with 65 percent of respondents having completed an “OE” or overseas experience and 65 percent of respondents feeling an OE is a rite of passage for New Zealanders.

It hasn’t all been smooth sailing for Kiwi travellers though, 18 percent of respondents have experienced a travel disaster. Of those who have; 34 percent have missed a flight, 33 percent have lost luggage and 30 percent have needed to receive medical treatment while travelling.

Canstar Blue’s annual Travel Agents Customer Satisfaction Survey measured the sentiment of who have used the services of a New Zealand-based travel agent in the last two years. helloworld Travel was rated by consumers as offering the best overall customer satisfaction as well as best communication and advice, best value for money, most friendly agents and best level of knowledge.

The full research commentary can be found on Canstar Blue’s website here.

Research highlights
• 37% of those surveyed have used a travel agent in the last two years
• 50% of respondents visit their travel agent in person
• 46% of respondents visit travel agents to get different ideas/inspiration
• 46% of respondents feel they can get a better price through a travel agent
• 38% of respondents feel safer booking through an agent
• 36% of respondents prefer dealing with real people
• 65%of respondents think an OE is a rite of passage
• 65% of respondents have completed their OE
• 18% of respondents have had a holiday disaster - top three missing a flight, losing luggage and having to receive medical treatment
• Respondents’ top five travel destinations: Europe/UK (27%), Asia (17%), Australia (16%), Pacific Islands (12%), USA/Canada (11%)
• helloworld Travel was rated by consumers as offering the best overall customer satisfaction as well as best communication and advice, best value for money, most friendly agents and best level of knowledge.

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