Travel’s Strong Comeback May Be Quake-Proof

The earthquake doesn’t appear to have affected a strong comeback already being enjoyed by the travel industry, reports Tony Whittle, vice president of marketing at Pleasant Travel Service, the Westlake Village firm that operates Pleasant Hawaiian Holidays.

Bookings sold since Jan. 1 are up 30% over the same period last year, Whittle said. “The improvement has been pretty even in our markets nationwide, and includes our Hawaiian and Mexican packages,” he said.

In Southern California, the company’s largest market, no deviation one way or another has been seen in bookings from the San Fernando Valley or other areas hit by the earthquake, Whittle said.

He said the improved economy appeared to be the main reason for the travel industry’s comeback. Also, passage of the North American Free Trade Agreement has been credited with helping Pleasant Travel’s Mexican tours.

The travel industry was mostly stagnant during the recession.