WASHINGTON, DC -- Two leaders in the travel industry announced today a market research partnership that will provide the best early indicator of British, German, and Mexican bookings to the U.S. and an accurate short-term forecast of arrivals from these key markets.

This new partnership will better serve U.S. destinations and companies invested in the international travel market. The Travel Industry Association (TIA), the national leader in travel research, and Travel Market Insights (TMI), which specializes in providing tangible and insightful marketing-focused research on international travel to the U.S., announced that they are partnering to conduct the TIA Travel Trade Barometer (TTB) program in the United Kingdom, Germany, and Mexico.

The most recent Travel Trade Barometer projects that winter travel (January – March 2007) to the U.S. from the United Kingdom will decline 1 percent to 3 percent. This decline will be driven by strong competitive marketing and continued apprehension regarding the U.S. entry and exit policies.

However, German bookings to the U.S. this winter are projected to gain 1 percent to 3 percent, compared to first quarter of 2006. The increase was chiefly attributed to a strong exchange rate for German travelers.

Winter bookings from Mexico to the U.S. are projected to be flat overall, with the exception of business travel, which is projected to grow slightly.

“The timeliness of the Barometer is critical and the trade insight is extremely valuable,” said Dr. Suzanne Cook, Senior Vice President of Research at TIA. “The Barometer is a reliable early warning indicator we can use to proactively position the U.S. in today’s rapidly changing international visitor market. It has proven accuracy that we will continue to deliver and work hard to enhance.”

“The Barometer will facilitate state and city international marketing offices by providing a measurement of bookings throughout the year, something that has been missing prior to now,” continued Cook.

In addition to projecting winter bookings to the U.S., the most recent Travel Trade Barometer report also highlights the impact of the 2006 FIFA World Cup on U.S. bookings.

Reports will be available at various prices, from $750 to $4,000 per year for four consecutive reports. For the first time, sponsors will now be able to have input into research design, questionnaire development, and will be able to create up to five proprietary questions.

“With the support of and input from TIA, we have now strengthened the program that we started with the U.S. Department of Commerce, Office of Travel and Tourism Industries,” said Scott Johnson, President of Travel Market Insights. “Not only will we be able to provide a wider range of products, but we are now better positioned to provide clients with additional access to other countries.”

For more information, visit www.travel-barometer.com or www.tia.org.

EDITOR’S NOTE: The U.S. Department of Commerce, Office of Travel and Tourism Industries originally established the Travel Trade Barometer program in 2000 with TMI, and later expanded the program to measure and monitor the U.S. recovery from 9/11 and the war on terrorism. The Office of Travel and Tourism Industries is a sponsor and a strong advocate for the Barometer. TMI is a primary U.S. market research firm providing tangible and insightful marketing-focused research on international travel to the U.S. and U.S. travel abroad. The TTB is one of several research programs led by TMI.

TIA is the national, non-profit organization representing all components of the $703 billion travel industry. TIA's mission is to represent the whole of the U.S. travel industry to promote and facilitate increased travel to and within the United States.

Cathy Reynolds
Manager, Media Relations and Lead Manager, IPW Press Operations
+1 202 408 2183
U.S. Travel Association