Industry Statistics and Trends
Market size and recent performance (2014-2029)
Industry revenue has declined at a CAGR of 5.1 % over the past five years, to reach an estimated $295.7bn in 2024.
Trends and Insights
Travel agents have grown and adapted to reflect new changes and demand
- The industry comprises thousands of travel agencies focused on making their clients' travel arrangements seamless and stress-free. Travel agents find the most affordable airfares, accommodations and other travel-related services for business and leisure customers.
- Additional trends and insights available with purchase
Source: IBISWorld
Industry outlook (2024-2029)
Market size is projected to grow over the next five years.
Trends and Insights
Travel increases at a slower pace
- With the global GDP forecasts appearing positive, global household income will improve. Growth will be robust in Asia, where GDP growth is highest. With access to higher disposable income, more consumers worldwide will spend on international trips.
Biggest companies in the Global Travel Agency Services
| Company | Market Share (%)
2024 | Revenue ($m)
2024 | Profit ($m)
2024 | Profit Margin (%)
2024 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
TUI Group | 19,827.4 | 1,035.9 | 5.2 | |
American Express Co | 8,545.1 | N/A | N/A | |
Expedia Group Inc. | 8,070.4 | N/A | N/A |
To view the market share and analysis for all 5 top companies in this industry, view purchase options.
Products & Services Segmentation
Source: IBISWorld
Industry revenue is measured across several distinct product and services lines, including Airline travel bookings, Tours and packaged travel bookings and Accommodation bookings. Airline travel bookings is the largest segment of the Global Travel Agency Services.
Trends and Insights
Tours and vacation package bookings account for the largest share of revenue
- Tour operators pay agents' commissions due to the highly fragmented nature of global travel agency services and the wide variety of packages available. Over time, this segment has increased its revenue share as commissions from other forms of travel have declined.
- More insights available in the full report
Table of Contents
About this industry
Industry definition
The Global Travel Agency Services industry comprises businesses engaged in tour wholesaling (i.e. developing tour packages that include airline and accommodations to be sold through travel agents or online) or acting as retail travel agents to the general public and commercial clients. The industry also encompasses companies primarily engaged in providing travel arrangement and reservation services, including online-only booking systems.
What's included in this industry?
Tour packagingTour wholesalingProviding online tour information, booking, reservation and payment systemsOther travel-related servicesCompanies
TUI GroupAmerican Express CoExpedia Group Inc.Purchase this report to view all 5 major companies in this industry.
Related Terms
TICKETLESS TRAVELINTERNATIONAL ARRIVALSINTERNATIONAL DEPARTURESGLOBAL DISTRIBUTION SYSTEMPerformance
Get an indication of the industry's health through historical, current and forward-looking trends in the performance indicators that make or break businesses.
Analyst insights
Travel activities thrived before the COVID-19 pandemic. Travel restrictions and decreasing consumer confidence resulted in a mass cancellation of vacation trips.
In this chapter (4)
- Current Performance
- Outlook
- Volatility
- Life Cycle
Key metrics
- Annual Revenue, Recent Growth, Forecast, Revenue Volatility
- Number of Employees, Recent Growth, Forecast, Employees per Business, Revenue per Employee
- Number of Businesses, Recent Growth, Forecast, Employees per Business, Revenue per Business
- Total Profit, Profit Margin, Profit per Business
Charts
- Revenue, including historical (2014-2023) and forecast (2024-2029)
- Employees, including historical (2014-2023) and forecast (2024-2029)
- Businesses, including historical (2014-2023) and forecast (2024-2029)
- Profit, including historical (2014-2024)
- Industry Volatility vs. Revenue Growth
- Industry Life Cycle
Detailed analysis
- Trends in supply, demand and current events that are driving current industry performance
- Expected trends, economic factors and ongoing events that drive the industry's outlook
- Key success factors for businesses to overcome volatility
- How contribution to GDP, industry saturation, innovation, consolidation, and technology and systems influence the industry's life cycle phase.
Products and Markets
Learn about an industry's products and services, markets and trends in international trade.
Analyst insight
Travel agents generate more revenue through client service fees rather than vendor commissions. This business model has placed more responsibility on travel agents, who are f...
In this chapter
- Products & Services
- Major Markets
Key metrics
- Largest market segment and value in 2024
- Product innovation level
Charts
- Products & services segmentation in 2024
- Major market segmentation in 2024
Detailed analysis
- Trends impacting the recent performance of the industry's various segments
- Innovations in the industry's product or service offering, specialization or delivery method
- Key factors that successful businesses consider in their offerings
- Buying segments and key trends influencing demand for industry products and services
Geographic Breakdown
Discover where business activity is most concentrated in an industry and the factors driving these trends to find opportunities and conduct regional benchmarking.
Analyst insights
A country or region's share of the global population is a key factor affecting the regional distribution of global travel agencies. A region's share of global GDP is also cri...
In this chapter (1)
- Business Locations
Charts
- Share of revenue, establishment, wages and employment in each region
- Share of population compared to establishments in each region in 2024
Tables
- Number and share of establishments in each region in 2024
- Number and share of revenue each region accounts for in 2024
- Number and share of wages each region accounts for in 2024
- Number and share of employees in each region in 2024
Detailed analysis
- Business Locations Charts
- Share of global output by region in 2024
- Share of population compared to output in each region in 2024
- Data tables
- Share of global output by region in 2024
- Detailed analysis
- Geographic spread of the industry across Global, and trends associated with changes in the business landscape
- Key success factors for businesses to use location to their advantage
Competitive Forces
Get data and insights on what's driving competition in an industry and the challenges industry operators and new entrants may face, with analysis built around Porter's Five Forces framework.
Analyst insights
Travelers are price sensitive since airfare and accommodation are discretionary purchases. Travel agencies compete fiercely on price in a highly saturated market where consum...
In this chapter (4)
- Concentration
- Barriers to Entry
- Substitutes
- Buyer & Supplier Analysis
Key metrics
- Industry concentration level
- Industry competition level and trend
- Barriers to entry level and trend
- Substitutes level and trend
- Buyer power level and trend
- Supplier power level and trend
Charts
- Market share concentration among the top 4 suppliers from 2019-2024
- Supply chain including upstream supplying industries and downstream buying industries, flow chart
Detailed analysis
- Factors impacting the industry’s level of concentration, such as business distribution, new entrants, or merger and acquisition activity.
- Key success factors for businesses to manage the competitive environment of the industry.
- Challenges that potential industry entrants face such as legal, start-up costs, differentiation, labor/capital intensity and capital expenses.
- Key success factors for potential entrants to overcome barriers to entry.
- Competitive threats from potential substitutes for the industry’s own products and services.
- Key success factors for how successful businesses can compete with substitutes.
- Advantages that buyers have to keep favorable purchasing conditions.
- Advantages that suppliers have to maintain favorable selling conditions.
- Key success factors for how businesses can navigate buyer and supplier power.
Companies
Learn about the performance of the top companies in the industry.
Analyst insights
Major online booking platforms are acquiring smaller players to meet shifting demand. High-income consumers are looking to smaller, niche agencies to provide specialized serv...
In this chapter
- Market Share Concentration
- Companies
- Company Spotlights
Charts
- Industry market share by company in 2020 through 2024
- Major companies in the industry, including market share, revenue, profit and profit margin in 2024
- Overview of TUI Group's performance by revenue, market share and profit margin from 2018 through 2024
- Overview of American Express Co's performance by revenue, market share and profit margin from 2018 through 2024
- Overview of Expedia Group Inc.'s performance by revenue, market share and profit margin from 2018 through 2024
- Overview of revenue, market share and profit margin trend for 2 additional companies
Detailed analysis
- Description and key data for TUI Group, and factors influencing its performance in the industry
- Description and key data for American Express Co, and factors influencing its performance in the industry
- Description and key data for Expedia Group Inc., and factors influencing its performance in the industry
- Description, key data and performance trends for 2 additional companies
External Environment
Understand the demographic, economic and regulatory factors that shape how businesses in an industry perform.
Analyst insights
Legislative requirements for agencies vary from country to country. The overall industry has a light level of regulation, though this is increasing.
In this chapter
- External Drivers
- Regulation & Policy
- Assistance
Key metrics
- Regulation & policy level and trend
- Assistance level and trend
Charts
- Regulation & Policy historical data and forecast (2014-2029)
- Assistance historical data and forecast (2014-2029)
Detailed analysis
- Demographic and macroeconomic factors influencing the industry, including Regulation & Policy and Assistance
- Major types of regulations, regulatory bodies, industry standards or specific regulations impacting requirements for industry operators
- Key governmental and non-governmental groups or policies that may provide some relief for industry operators.
Financial Benchmarks
View average costs for industry operators and compare financial data against an industry's financial benchmarks over time.
Analyst insights
Costs vary widely among agencies, depending on the size of the agency. Travel agencies are exposed to various other costs, including selling, general and administrative costs...
In this chapter
- Cost Structure
- Financial Ratios
- Key Ratios
Key metrics
- Profit margin, and how it compares to the sector-wide margin
- Average wages, and how it compares to the sector-wide average wage
- Largest cost component as a percentage of revenue
- Industry average ratios for days' receivables, industry coverage and debt-to-net-worth ratio
Charts
- Average industry operating costs as a share of revenue, including purchases, wages, depreciation, utilities, rent, other costs and profit in 2024
- Average sector operating costs as a share of revenue, including purchases, wages, depreciation, utilities, rent, other costs and profit in 2024
- Investment vs. share of economy
Data tables
- Cash Flow & Debt Service Ratios (2014-2029)
- Revenue per Employee (2014-2029)
- Revenue per Enterprise (2014-2029)
- Employees per Establishment (2014-2029)
- Employees per Enterprise (2014-2029)
- Average Wage (2014-2029)
- Wages/Revenue (2014-2029)
- Establishments per Enterprise (2014-2029)
- IVA/Revenue (2014-2029)
- Imports/Demand (2014-2029)
- Exports/Revenue (2014-2029)
Detailed analysis
- Trends in the cost component for industry operators and their impact on industry costs and profitability
Key Statistics
Industry Data
Data Tables
Including values and annual change:
- Revenue (2014-2029)
- IVA (2014-2029)
- Establishments (2014-2029)
- Enterprises (2014-2029)
- Employment (2014-2029)
- Exports (2014-2029)
- Imports (2014-2029)
- Wages (2014-2029)
Top Questions Answered
Unlock comprehensive answers and precise data upon purchase. View purchase options.
What is the market size of the Global Travel Agency Services industry in Global in 2024?
The market size of the Global Travel Agency Services industry in Global is $295.7bn in 2024.
How many businesses are there in the Global Travel Agency Services industry in 2024?
There are 589k businesses in the Global Travel Agency Services industry in Global, which has grown at a CAGR of 5.8 % between 2019 and 2024.
Has the Global Travel Agency Services industry in Global grown or declined over the past 5 years?
The market size of the Global Travel Agency Services industry in Global has been declining at a CAGR of 5.1 % between 2019 and 2024.
What is the forecast growth of the Global Travel Agency Services industry in Global over the next 5 years?
Over the next five years, the Global Travel Agency Services industry in Global is expected to grow.
What are the biggest companies in the Global Travel Agency Services market in Global?
The biggest companies operating in the Global Travel Agency Services market in Global are TUI Group, American Express Co and Expedia Group Inc.
What does the Global Travel Agency Services in Global include?
Tour packaging and Tour wholesaling are part of the Global Travel Agency Services industry.
Which companies have the highest market share in the Global Travel Agency Services in Global?
The company holding the most market share in Global is TUI Group.
How competitive is the Global Travel Agency Services industry in Global?
The level of competition is high and increasing in the Global Travel Agency Services industry in Global.
Related Industries
Widen your competitive advantage with related industries
Competitors
- Global Internet Service Providers
Complementors
- Global Hotels & Resorts
- Global Airlines
- Global Airport Operation
- Global Tourism
International industries
- Travel Agencies in the US
- Tour Operators in the US
- Travel Agencies in Canada
- Tour Operators in Canada
- Travel Agency and Tour Arrangement Services in Australia
Methodology
How are IBISWorld reports created?
IBISWorld has been a leading provider of trusted industry research for over 50 years to the most successful companies worldwide. With offices in Australia, the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany and China, we are proud to have local teams of analysts that conduct research, data analysis and forecasting to produce data-driven industry reports.
Our analysts start with official, verified and publicly available sources of data to build the most accurate picture of each industry. Analysts then leverage their expertise and knowledge of the local markets to synthesize trends into digestible content for IBISWorld readers. Finally, each report is reviewed by one of IBISWorld’s editors, who provide quality assurance to ensure accuracy and readability.
IBISWorld relies on human-verified data and human-written analysis to compile each standard industry report. We do not use generative AI tools to write insights, although members can choose to leverage AI-based tools within the platform to generate additional analysis formats.
What data sources do IBISWorld analysts use?
Each industry report incorporates data and research from government databases, industry-specific sources, industry contacts, and our own proprietary database of statistics and analysis to provide balanced, independent and accurate insights.
Key data sources globally include:
- United Nations Comtrade
- Organization for Economic Cooperation & Development
- World Bank
Analysts also use industry specific sources to complement catch-all sources, although their perspective may focus on a particular organization or representative body, rather than a clear overview of all industry operations. However, when balanced against other perspectives, industry-specific sources provide insights into industry trends.
These sources include:
- Industry and trade associations
- Industry federations or regulators
- Major industry players annual or quarterly filings
Finally, IBISWorld’s global data scientists maintain a proprietary database of macroeconomic and demand drivers, which our analysts use to help inform industry data and trends. They also maintain a database of statistics and analysis on thousands of industries, which has been built over our more than 50-year history and offers comprehensive insights into long-term trends.
How does IBISWorld forecast its data?
IBISWorld’s analysts and data scientists use the sources above to create forecasts for our proprietary datasets and industry statistics. Depending on the dataset, they may use regression analysis, multivariate analysis, time-series analysis or exponential smoothing techniques to project future data for the industry or driver. Additionally, analysts will leverage their local knowledge of industry operating and regulatory conditions to impart their best judgment on the forecast model.
IBISWorld prides itself on being a trusted, independent source of data, with over 50 years of experience building and maintaining rich datasets and forecasting tools. We are proud to be the keystone source of industry information for thousands of companies across the world.
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