The travel and tourism industry in the United States is a huge and increasing industry that has seen millions of people traveling within or beyond the country in the last few years.
Many organizations have also been launched, which form a large group of travel agencies that facilitate travelers’ trips and bookings. The travel industry in the US is one of the most competitive and absorbed, even with different sizes and places of origin, from small family businesses to big companies.
This article is focused on the largest travel agencies in the United States, the services that each agency provides and other characteristics that differentiate one from another.
The Largest Travel Agencies in the US
Here is a list of our top picks of largest travel agencies in the US:
1. Booking Holdings
Booking Holdings is based in Norwalk and is among the premier American travel technology companies, which have platforms such as Booking.com. Some of the leading websites include: Expedia, Orbitz, Travelocity, Hotwire, Priceline, Agoda, Kayak, RentalCars.com and OpenTable.
They firmly occupy their place among the largest travel corporations oriented on serving 40 languages in 200 countries. They offer full packages on bookings such as hotel lodging, flights, car hire and restaurant bookings.
Booking Holdings held steady at number one this year, with 2022 sales topping $121 billion, up significantly from $76.6 billion in 2021.
2. Expedia Group
Expedia Group stays as the second-strongest travel agency and ranks as one of the biggest travel intermediaries in North America based on earnings. The company has recorded its revenues at $5,199 million, with an annual growth in revenue rate of 65.4% in FY2021, as it is commonly known.
It is an online travel company that offers a range of travel services for tourists and business people. The company offers accommodation and catering facilities; airline tickets; car rentals; and ground and destination services from its travel suppliers.
The online travel agency has listed several famous brands, like Expedia. com, Hotels.com, and others. Some of the leading travel websites include; Expedia, Kayak, Priceline, Booking. com, orbitz, Travelocity, Vrbo, Trivago, and Hotwire.
3. American Express Global Business Travel
American Express Global Business Travel is a global travel company that has its origin in the larger and renowned American Express Company. Despite the fact that it also caters to other classes of travelers, it is acknowledged for catering most of its service to high-class or, in other words, luxurious, customers. American Express Global Business Travel, which IPO-ed in May, was also unchanged at no. 3 on Forbes List with its 2022 projected sales of $23 billion.
4. BCD Travel
BCD Travel is a global business travel management company whose main goal is to provide business travel products and services encompassing any sort of corporation. They closely monitor matters of concern that have to do with travel programs and the actual experience expected from their clients.
Finally, BCD Travel is predicted to remain in the 4th position again in 2023, despite the fact that its sales have increased from $6. Currently, the business is estimated to have done $5 billion in 2021 based on research, while there are predictions that it will hit $16 billion in 2022.
5. CWT (Carlson Wagonlit Travel)
CWT is a travel management company based in Singapore that deals with business travel, meetings and events, and corporate travel management. They offer package holidays and other related services to companies of any scale.
CWT remains one of the world’s largest travel agencies, with 2022 sales of 13 USD and taking fifth place in terms of its power. This firm is privately owned by global financial firms, such as Barings, MacKay Shields and Monarch Alternative Capital and directly markets travel goods to its clients.
6. AAA Travel
AAA Travel is a comprehensive travel services company affiliated with the American Automobile Association. It provides services such as itineraries, cruises, accommodation, and travel insurance, among others. They must be familiar with the association’s international network and the members’ advantages.
Taken in the AAA Travel 2022 digitization of the AAA Tour Books, the Inspected Clean Program, and Trip Canvas. According to market values, the two companies had total sales of $ 3.2 billion. Ahead in sight is an increase in requisites for cruises, tours, and Europe, amongst others, powered by domestic travel growth, as identified by the Power List.
7. ATG Travel
ATG Travel (American Tours Group) is the world’s largest travel management company that goes a long way in offering integrated travel services for business and individual travelers. Catering to the client, leveraging technology, and offering specialized expert travel advice and superior service is key to their business.
At Global Business Travel, its services include intermediary services, corporate travel management, voice and data communication, and other services such as leisure travel, group travel and travel technology.
The ATG has decided to enter the Middle East with two franchise offices in Qatar and Kuwait after it was revealed to have achieved sales of $1.2 billion last year.
8. Hopper
Hopper is an application for travel bookings that makes use of large volumes as well as artificial intelligence algorithms to forecast and analyze fare and accommodation costs.
It also enables users to identify the most suitable flight or accommodation by enabling the prediction of the prices of the service and sending alerts when it is most advantageous to make the bookings.
The proposed corresponding application analyzes the probability of a price dropping in the near future and gives tips on when it will be the best time to buy tickets. Hopper provides options for people to lock in a flight or hotel for a brief period, guaranteed to help you get the deal even if the prices rise.
It has been valued at approximately $3 billion. This funding has been through different rounds of funding and reached approximately 5 billion dollars. It has been able to acquire a great deal of capital to ensure that it grows and also makes technological breakthroughs, thereby making it a force to be reckoned with in terms of travel booking.
9. Internova
Internova Travel Group is a UK-based company and one of the leading travel services companies in the world. It has a huge network of travel brands and provides different types of services to tourists as well as business travelers.
The company nurtures a travel advisory system that aims to provide an individualized travel plan. It has a rich network of travel associates and members, making it possible to find the best offers to offer clients.
It also fell by two positions from the previous year, although the 2022 revenue was recorded at $5,000,000,000. In the following year, Internova seeks to focus on the luxury segment and expand its ESG initiatives, which are to make employee travel carbonless by the year’s end.
Factors that make the Largest Travel Agencies in the US
The following are some of the factors that have made it possible for the travel agencies mentioned in this article to become the largest in the United States:
1. Social Networks and Information Technology Acceptance.
Owners of travel companies like Expedia Group have been able to focus on online technologies since the very beginning of their business processes. With simple-to-use user interfaces and mobile applications readily available, OTAs managed to create a platform for comparison and purchase of travel solutions from the consumer’s comfort, either at home or on the move.
2. Consolidation and Acquisitions
Most of the major travel agents have expanded through acquisitions and mergers. For example, Expedia Group has multiple travel brands like Expedia. com, Hotels, Travelocity and Orbitz. This approach has enabled them to increase their presence, product lines and market share.
3. Extensive Global Networks
The biggest travel agencies have international networks — offices and partnerships in various countries and continents. This exposes them to a wide range of travel products and services, as well as international end users.
American Express Global Travel and Travel Leaders Group are examples of corporations using their international presence to dominate travel management services.
4. Economies of Scale
Travel agencies are big international companies and, hence, enjoy huge economies of scale. Their size enables them to bargain for favorable terms from suppliers. g. are technologically advanced and have greater economies of scale than their smaller rivals.
5. Brand Awareness and Attitude
Brands such as Expedia, Priceline, and American Express have strong awareness among consumers. These brands have developed a strong customer base through effective marketing, award programmes and delivering reliable and convenient travel services.
6. Knowledge Base and Customer Support
On the other hand, overall growth in online agencies has not led to the demise of brick-and-mortar agencies like Travel Leaders Group because of their niche expertise in travel and customer intimacy. Travel agents can offer much-needed assistance for difficult and expensive trips.
Conclusion
The travel industry is one of the most indispensable industries nowadays, as there are many travel companies in the US offering various kinds of travel services to tourists of different classifications.
Since technology could be actively participating in the travel business, it is possible to state that even more misery in the agency’s sphere could be pointed out in the near future.
However, one thing is certain: This is the constant and consistent pattern of the biggest travel agencies in the US and these travel providers will always remain relevant to assist the American people in planning and enjoying their favorite leisure and business trips.
