MARCO ISLAND, Fla. — Politics replaced finances as the top concern among active USTOA members in a recent survey conducted by the trade group.
The results of the USTOA 2024 Economic Impact Study were presented at the group’s annual meeting and marketplace here.
Geopolitical conflict topped the list of concerns, with 58% saying they were extremely or very concerned about disruptive events such as war in Ukraine or terrorist attacks in Israel. In general, political instability was cited as a major concern by 56% of members.
The survey, conducted by PwC, has been published annually for the past six years. Last year, participants ranked the rising cost of living (67%) as the most important issue they face, followed by global financial instability (59%) and widespread workforce shortages (59%).
terry dale
“Last year there was a much greater focus on financial stability and inflation,” said USTOA President and CEO Terry Dale. “It was more finances, the cost of the eggs, the cost of creating the travel package, so that was the focus there.”
When asked what impact President Trump’s pledge to increase tariffs could have on global travel, Dale was cautious. “You want to be proactive and prepared, but with this government – and I’m not saying that negatively – you almost have to wait.
“There’s a lot of rhetoric, but we don’t know yet how much of that rhetoric will be implemented and how much it will affect us. I don’t like to “wait and see,” but we will be prepared if some kind of tariffs are imposed.”
