LeisureLink’s Demand Index Shows Major Vacation Markets Remain Strong While Gulf Properties Continue to Struggle
PASADENA, Calif. (July 8, 2010) - LeisureLink, Inc. released its Vacation Lodging Demand Index for June, showing that most major Vacation Lodging markets were experiencing substantial growth. Properties on the Gulf, in contrast, continue to reel from the effects of the oil spill. The Company also highlighted major competitive shifts occurring in the Myrtle Beach market.
“Our Demand Index showed no growth from May to June rather than the usual sharp increase that comes with summer vacations. This effect was entirely due to the impact of the Gulf oil spill. We saw healthy year over year growth across many key markets, particularly in Hilton Head, Branson, and Orlando,” said Steve Reich, Senior Vice President of LeisureLink.
“Year over year demand for Vacation Lodging is still up 34 percent over 2009 even with continuing weakness in the economy and the oil spill. Consumer demand for Vacation Lodging is growing substantially even with these headwinds,” he continued.
The differing conditions prevailing in selected markets were striking. As an example, demand for Hilton Head was up 31 percent, while demand for Gulf Shores plummeted nearly 50 percent. Results from representative markets are summarized below:
| Market |
Demand Growth in 2010 |
| Hilton Head |
31% |
| Orlando |
24% |
| Myrtle Beach |
1% |
| Gulf Shores/Orange Beach |
-47% |
“Other markets are no doubt benefitting from a shift away from the Gulf. Demand is up sharply in many areas,” Reich said.
LeisureLink also disclosed that there were major shifts in revenue and conversion in some key markets. “In the Myrtle Beach market actual bookings nearly tripled in the face of flat demand,” said Reich. “Conversion has more than doubled at the best performing resorts. Properties that market aggressively online are taking share from less nimble competitors.”
The LeisureLink Demand Index measures query volume across its Major Market Access (MMA) platform. The MMA provides distribution on major travel sites such as Travelocity, Orbitz, Priceline, GDS Marketplaces, and LeisureLink’s own ABetterStay.com marketplace. The queries on this network measure demand for Vacation Lodging directly from consumers, as well as from wholesale and travel agent channels. Taken as a whole, the index broadly measures total consumer demand for Vacation Lodging.
The LeisureLink Demand Index™ is derived from the more than 500 million consumer queries processed annually by LeisureLink. The Index includes properties in North America, Mexico, and the Caribbean. LeisureLink clients include vacation rentals, timeshare resorts, and boutique hotels, and their properties encompass ski, beach, and other destinations.
About LeisureLink™
LeisureLink powers global distribution and demand for the specialty lodging industry. LeisureLink Major Market Access™ enables property management companies to market and distribute their vacation lodging products across thousands of travel Web sites, travel agents and other distribution channels. Over 1,500 vacation rentals properties, timeshare resorts, condo hotels and boutique resorts throughout North America and Europe build their bookings through LeisureLink. For more information visit www.LeisureLink.com and to view properties go to www.ABetterStay.com.
For more information please contact:
Steve Reich
Senior Vice President, Sales
LeisureLink Inc.
626-696-4530
Slreich@LeisureLink.com