A recent survey among TRAVELSAVERS and NEST agency affiliates indicates a positive outlook for the travel industry in 2025. The survey, conducted with travel advisors from TRAVELSAVERS and NEST agency affiliates in the U.S. and Canada from Oct. 29 to Nov. 16, 2024, shows that 79 percent of advisors anticipate revenue growth in the coming year.

“We are clearly in the era of the travel advisor, with the highest demand from consumers that we’ve ever seen,” said Kathryn Mazza-Burney, TRAVELSAVERS Chief Sales Officer and NEST President. “Travelers continue to enthusiastically embrace the guidance of a professional consultant. They’re coming to advisors in record numbers, as they know an expert advisor can customize a vacation for them and turn it into an amazing lifetime memory.”

This optimism is fueled by an expected increase in consumer demand for professional travel expertise. An overwhelming 93 percent of respondents believe that consumer interest in working with advisors will either remain steady or grow. The majority of advisors (79 percent) are looking to expand their client base, with 38 percent seeking substantial growth and 41 percent aiming for a modest increase. Only 19 percent are content with their current client numbers, while only 2 percent wish to reduce their clientele.

Survey: AI Use is Shifting

The survey also highlights a significant shift in the adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) among travel advisors. Compared to the previous year, there’s been a notable increase in AI usage:

• 12 percent now use AI frequently (up from 8 percent)
• 20 percent use it occasionally (up from 14 percent)
• Only 9 percent say they won’t use AI (down from 24 percent)
• 29 percent still say they’re not too familiar with it.

Attitudes towards AI have also improved. 29 percent now view it as a valuable tool for advisors, up from 16 percent last year. Negative sentiment has decreased from 13 to 7 percent, with 24 percent saying they’re unfamiliar with it.

In response to this trend, TRAVELSAVERS and NEST’s parent company, American Marketing Group, Inc. (AMG), has introduced AI Connect, a proprietary tool designed specifically for the travel industry. This AI-powered solution allows advisors to create marketing materials such as social media content, blog posts and landing pages in minutes, incorporating exclusive partner offers.

“If 2024 was about getting to know AI, 2025 will be about embracing it,” said Mazza-Burney in the press statement. “It’s inspiring to see how, in just a year, advisors don’t feel threatened by AI and are instead harnessing its benefits. With tools like AI Connect, advisors can become more efficient and free up time to capture sales as a result of the increased consumer demand they’re experiencing.”

Complete Survey Results

2025 Sales 

• 52 percent predict sales will increase somewhat
• 27 percent predict sales will increase significantly
• 18 percent predict sales will stay the same
• 4 percent predict sales will decrease somewhat

New Client Prospecting

• 38 percent looking to grow clientele substantially
• 41 percent looking for a few more clients
• 19 percent not looking for more clients
• 2 percent would like to reduce the number of clients

Consumer Attitudes Towards Advisors

• 53 percent say consumers will be more likely to work with advisors
• 40 percent say consumers will work with advisors in the same numbers as last year
• 7 percent say consumers will be less likely to work with advisors

AI Usage

• 12 percent use it frequently
• 20 percent use it occasionally
• 11 percent have tried it
• 15 percent plan to try it
• 9 percent don’t and won’t use it
• 29 percent aren’t familiar enough with it
• 3 percent no opinion

 AI Attitude 

• 29 percent say it’s a great tool for advisors
• 24 percent say it has potential for advisors
• 9 percent say it’s neither good nor bad
• 3 percent say it’s not good for advisors
• 4 percent say it’s a threat to advisors
• 24 percent aren’t familiar enough with it
• 6 percent no opinion

For more information, visit travelsavers.com or jointhenest.com.